3

"...Because you need me…"

Superman's words rattled around his own head. They came from a place he did not want to remember. The horrors he saw were still seared into his brain. No the horrors he had done… Slowly he closed his eyes trying to gather himself. Sadly, the moment his eyes shut he saw her, Wonder Woman. A hand from the shadows grabbed her from behind. It held onto her throat, choking burning its handprint into her tanned flesh. He tried to run towards her but shackles were holding him back. A harrowing laughter engulfed him.

"See, I told you I'd find you," the voice cackled. "No matter the world, I will always find you and end you…"

Superman's voice bellowed within the blackness of the ether. But his voice fell on deaf ears. The disembodied hand continued to hold onto Wonder Woman with an iron grip. Then it happened. Two eyes of crimson flames appeared behind her. They illuminated the entity that was holding onto Wonder Woman. A feeling of dread welling up within him as he saw a face that was so much like his own holding her. The eyes were hollowed out but without a doubt that creature holding onto Wonder Woman was him.

"Goodbye whore…" the figure hissed as the flames of crimes flooded from its eyes.

Superman screamed as he pulled against his chains helplessly. He watched the rays of fire burn two holes through Wonder Woman's head. The creature let her body crumple down to the ground...

"Kal…"

Superman felt Wonder Woman squeeze. He opened his eyes to her wide blue eyes staring back at him. There was a look of worry on her face.

"... I thought I'd lost you again…" she added as she placed a kiss on the top of Superman's hand.

Superman forced a smile onto his face.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said.

Wonder Woman lowered her head and brought his hands up to her face. Superman cupped her face.

"I've longed to do this…" her words got caught in her throat.

Superman felt the dampness from her tears against the palms of his hand. Each tear felt like a thousand daggers stabbing him in the heart.

"Please don't cry," he said softly.

"How could I not?" she asked as Superman wiped the tears from her cheek with his thumb. "You've returned from the underworld. No man since the times of Orpheus…" Superman pulled Wonder Woman face up to look at him.

"A man will do anything for the woman he loves," he replied as he stared into her eyes. "As I said, I came back because you needed me…"

Wonder Woman turned her gaze away from Superman and let out a sigh.

"The world needed you," she replied with a lowered tone.

Superman shook his head.

"Diana…" Superman said as he wiped another tear from her face. "There are somethings in the world that matter more to me than the world…."

He took a long pause as he pulled Wonder Woman's face in his direction. He stared into her eyes and saw nothing but pain and sorrow. All the bullshit he pulled before he died was still raw for her. He cussed under his breath at himself. If he could go back in time he would do it all over again. He'd push it all aside and give her the world.

"And you…" he added. "You matter more to me than this world…"

"Don't let Bruce hear you say that," Wonder Woman added with a slight laugh. "I don't think I'd fit into his solution box for you."

For a moment Superman saw the old Diana looking back at him. The one who knew how much he loved her. The one who was carefree and gleeful.

"Well, I won't tell him if you won't," Superman added.

Wonder Woman shook her head. Superman lowered his head back down onto the medical bed and closed his eyes for a moment. His chains were still binding him to the floor. The creature with his face dragged Wonder Woman's lifeless body to him. It dropped her body in his lap. Superman saw himself cradling her lifeless body in his arms.

"You'll never be able to save her from me… father," the creature hissed. "I will always get the last laugh."

Once more Superman felt the tender firm grip of Wonder Woman's hand. He opened his eyes to her gazing down at him. She waved her hand to get him to move over. He did so allowing her to slide into bed beside him. She rested her head under his chin. Her hand caressed the 'S' in the middle of his chest.

"I'm going to do better Diana," he said softly.

"What Kal," she replied.

"I'm going to be a better man," he replied with bass in his voice. " I'm going to be the man you deserve."

Wonder Woman laughed slightly, "You have always been that Kal-El."

Superman didn't reply. He knew she was wrong. Whatever his God Rao showed him while he was in the Void… No he needed to become more than what he was before. He needed to become the warrior his birth mother would have made him to be.

"I'll become what I need to in order to keep you safe," he said, breaking the silence between them.

Wonder Woman propped herself up on his chest.

"You keep saying that as if you are trying to hide something from me," she said as she looked down onto Superman's face.

"I'm not,"

"Lie," she snorted back. "I don't need my lasso to tell you're hiding something from me. Was it something that you saw in the underworld that has you so spooked?"

Superman nodded.

"Then tell me what it was," she replied as she searched his face. "We're in this together…"

Superman placed a kiss on Wonder Woman's cheek. He took a few deep breaths taking in the sweet smell of lilies.

"Stop stalling," she ordered.

"I saw a world without you in it," he replied.