Chapter 2
"…so what do I do?" Billy concluded.
Bruce sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. "You know, you really came to the wrong man for advice on romance."
"I didn't know who else to ask. You've known her longer than the others."
Bruce had to concede that. Except maybe J'onn, but that was too close too call, really.
"I may have known her longer, but what makes you think I knew her better?" Bruce asked.
Captain Marvel gave Bruce a look.
"Yeah, okay," Bruce grunted.
"What you have to understand about Diana," Bruce continued, "is that despite her royal heritage…despite her apparent sophistication…despite her strength and courage and warrior training…despite her age, even…she is a fairly naïve and innocent woman.
"All her life has been either training to be a warrior, or being a warrior. She's devoted herself to her 'peace mission', and the protection of others. She's been so busy doing that and being a goddess and coming back from the dead and everything that goes with being one of us that she never took the time to just be a person."
"Do you think she's a…?"
"A virgin? I wouldn't be surprised, but I also wouldn't be surprised to find she's not. No, I refuse to speculate along those lines. It's not about the physical act, anyway. If she's done it, she didn't think much about it. Didn't let herself feel anything about it. If it doesn't deal with her mission, she doesn't really want to deal with it."
"Why do you think that is?"
"Well, it could be for a variety of reasons. Maybe her parents, or living up to a legacy…maybe…"
"Yes?"
"Well, maybe it's because it's the one thing that can hurt her."
"I don't understand."
"I think you do."
Billy's face hardened. He didn't answer.
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Don't try that with me, Billy. Clark couldn't do it, and neither can you."
"I'm stronger than Cl—Superman was."
"Not that way."
There was tense silence, the two men staring intently at one another. But the Captain broke first, lowering his eyes.
"I guess you're right."
Bruce stretched, wincing at a stab of pain from his shoulders. "You know what always used to aggravate me about you, Billy?"
Billy looked up, a frown creasing his face. "No."
"You never did develop the confidence you should have."
"I've been plenty confident…"
"That wizard really messed you up," Bruce continued as though Billy hadn't spoken. "Putting all this power and responsibility in the hands of a child. It's almost a crime."
"I have done the best I could…"
"It's not you, Billy. You did fine. Except that, with all your running around and being Captain Marvel, you never did the important things."
"Like what?"
"Like have a childhood…and then grow out of it."
Billy's eyes dropped again. He was quiet.
"You're neither a man nor a boy anymore. If you changed back, which you never do these days, you'd look much the same wouldn't you? You're 31 now, isn't that right?"
"Yes." It was barely a whisper.
"Being the Captain, you didn't have time to really be a kid. And then when Clark left…"
"Somebody had to. No one else could do all these things. I had to step in."
"Well, at least you knew your limits and didn't try to lead the League."
"No. I just had to be there. To help."
"So now you're a hero full time, with no time to be an adult."
Billy shook his head. "Clark couldn't turn off his powers…"
"Clark got married. Tried to have a family. Made sure he had something like a life. Where do you live, that is, when you're not rocketing around the world catching bad guys and the like?"
"The Rock of Eternity."
"When was the last time you went on a date?"
"Look, this isn't what I came to talk to you about…"
"How're Mary and Freddy?"
That question stopped Billy in his tracks. "They're fine," he muttered.
"And little C.C.? Your nephew?"
Billy stared at the floor. His hands were shaking, his voice faint. "He's good."
"When was the last time you saw them? In person?"
Billy didn't answer.
Finally, he raised his head. "Okay, I get it. Take some time to be normal."
"Yes."
"So you're saying I should date Wonder Woman?"
Bruce shook his head. "No, I did not say that. I said 'Don't run away from being human'. Trust me, I know."
"So should I date her or not?"
"Have you even asked her? Or she you?"
The Captain looked mildly stricken. "No."
"Then you can't very well date her, can you? Look, you kissed her. That's all. Maybe you're making a mountain out of a molehill. Go talk to her and find out."
The Captain nodded and stood up. "Thank you, Bruce," he said, offering his hand.
Bruce took it and stared hard up into Billy's eyes. "I mean it. Running away from what you feel only ends up costing you. And it costs dear."
They held each other's gaze for a moment until Billy nodded again. Then he was gone, up the steps and out the clock.
"God help him," Bruce muttered.
*****
Diana gave up running around the world.
Look at yourself, she mentally chided. Tearing around the globe like a crazed teenager. You're an ambassador and a warrior. Think.
You have the speed of Hermes and the wisdom of Athena. You can…
…can I?
I don't know. But I should try.
She thought of speed and time and a giant rock…
And suddenly, she was there.
The Rock of Eternity lived up to its name. Even though it seemed to have an end, a top with a pinnacle, she also sensed that that wasn't so. That the rock was truly eternal and infinite. It gave her a headache.
She spotted a depression in the rock, a hewn square opening and headed for it.
The cavern was dark and cold. She could dimly make out huge misshapen figures lining the walkway, and a darker room further on. She headed for it, suppressing the urge to shiver or look over her shoulder.
The light here was even more dim. She thought she could see the outline of a chair or something. Moving slowly, she brushed against something metal. Feeling with her fingers, she made out a familiar shape. A brazier. Pulling a lighter out of the 'standard utility pouch' that Dick had insisted all Leaguers wear, she lit the brazier, filling the room with its warm glow.
"Who summons me?"
Whirling, Diana saw what appeared to be a spectral figure of a very old man seated on the granite throne. The shade glowered at her under its bushy eyebrows, a scowl barely visible behind its great white beard.
"I assume I am addressing the wizard Shazam?" she asked tentatively.
"You are. It is an honor to meet you, Diana of Themyscira. What business brings you to this realm?"
Quick and to the point, she noted. "I seek your champion, Captain Marvel."
The wizard sighed and rose. With a wave of his hand he became more substantial, his robe changing to a tunic and pants combination embroidered in the distinctive style of New Genesis.
"I have not spoken to the Captain for nearly five years. He has no time it seems."
"Yes, sir. He does keep himself busy."
"Still, he is always there for the Justice League. If he is not responding to their call…"
"This is not League business," Diana interjected hurriedly, lest the wizard become overly concerned. "It's of a personal nature."
The wizard stopped, and turned to look at her with piercing eyes. "Personal?"
Diana found herself blushing a bit and tried to take a deep but quiet breath. "Yes, sir. We…he and I…we need to talk."
"Please, come with me," Shazam said, gesturing her down a side hallway.
Following the old man, she eventually found herself in a comfortably appointed sitting room. Dust layered everything, but with a muttered word the wizard conjured a breeze that soon cleared the room of grime.
"Sit, child," Shazam said in a kindly voice.
As they sat, the wizard steepled his fingers, once again staring at her with those deep eyes. "I regard Billy Batson as a son, you know. I am not, perhaps, the best of fathers, but nonetheless I hold great affection for the boy."
"He is no longer a boy," Diana pointed out.
"Yet, he is not quite a man either, is he?"
Diana considered. "I…you know, I don't know. I never thought about it."
"And what of you, Diana? You are not quite a woman."
Her blood seemed to chill at his words. "What do you mean?"
The wizard leaned forward. "Let me tell you a story, child, that may illustrate what I mean.
"Years ago…about 9,000 years ago…I was a child in Canaan. I went by the name Jebediah back then. And everywhere I looked I saw evil and corruption.
"While in the desert, one day, I was given a vision. The gods seemed to speak to me, and they recognized my sadness and desire to further the cause of good. And so they gave me a gift. Were I to say a word comprised of the first letters of their names, I should be granted great power to wield in the course of fighting evil.
"And so I said that word, and I became the first Champion. And I fought evil for 3,000 years.
"My quest filled me, consumed me. I had no time for anything else. No matter how hard I fought, no matter how quickly I ran, still I saw evil and corruption everywhere I looked.
"I became lost in my heroic deeds, never daring to stop. I became so focused on my quest that nothing else seemed to matter. I had ceased to be human.
"I came to this realization with the birth of my children. I had…been seduced…by a demoness. Only after I had seen what my folly had brought into existence in the form of Blaze and Satanus did I stop to think.
"Why had I bedded a demoness? I wondered. And then, the answer came to me.
"I had not indulged my humanity in such a long time…well, I realized I hadn't reassumed my human form in nearly 200 years. And your humanity finds a way to express itself. If you're not careful, it will get beyond your control and have dire consequences.
"This lesson was driven home to me again with Teth-Adam. He ignored his humanity and the power went to his head. And so his desires expressed themselves in greed and lust for more power.
"I see the same potential for folly in so many of today's heroes. You, Batman…and now, Billy."
"I…I have a life…" Diana stammered defensively.
"Your friends are superheroes. You live in a castle among the clouds, divorced from humanity. Your family is isolated and withdrawn. And you spend almost all your time policing the world. It is a life, Diana, but not a full one."
"So what am I to do? Find an incubus?"
The wizard laughed. "You cannot goad me, Wonder Woman. You can look to others of your kind. The Flash is married and, I understand, expecting children. Green Lantern is still searching for that companion to share his life with. This new Batman socializes. Even the Martian finds the time to live free of thoughts of duty and justice. And the greatest of you all…"
"Kal left."
Shazam nodded. "Yes, he did. That is the risk of the other way. If you learn to feel and live as people do, you suffer the same pains and sorrow."
Diana found herself staring down at her boots, tears welling up in her eyes. "I never expected him to…to go…"
"Heroes are sometimes like children. They become so accustomed to winning, that it hurts them especially when they lose. And Superman lost a great deal."
"Lois…Lois wasn't his fault."
"Come, child, we know that, you and I. But when he couldn't save her, when he was too late…would he be the man you admired if he didn't feel it was his fault?"
"We tried to help, to make him feel better…"
"Diana…the last thing he needed was your love."
Diana's head snapped up, her eyes blazing. "What are you talking about?!"
"Diana, you loved him. You respected his love for Lois and that is good of you. But having lost his life's love, how could he not feel guilty turning to you of all people? With his parents gone, he had no one else."
"He had the League."
"He needed time to heal. He still needs it."
"This is pointless!" Diana shouted, standing once again. "I am here to speak to Billy, not…"
"Do you love Billy?"
"No! I don't know! I don't know what's happening!"
"If you were to ask my advice, which I know you haven't done, but if you were…I would tell you that your kiss was your humanity attempting to get out and breathe free."
Diana gaped at Shazam in shock. "How did you know about…about that?"
"I know many things." Shazam stood as well. "You and Billy are very much alike, really. Your powers come from gods, you are both pure of heart…and you are both, no matter how old you think you are…children."
He faded and was gone. Shaking, Diana stalked from the sitting room and out of the Rock of Eternity.
*****
With a wave and a forced smile, Captain Marvel headed off. The Army Corps of Engineers could handle things now…Marvel had blocked the swelling flood waters with fifty tons of boulders dug by hand from the walls of a nearby quarry.
He turned in mid air and there she was. Suddenly his throat was very dry.
"Hello, Wonder Woman," he grunted.
"Captain. May I have a word with you?" She gestured to a distant forest as though saying 'step into my office'.
"Certainly." Resolutely, his stomach a ball of lead, he flew behind her. He kept his eyes stoically on the horizon.
They landed in a clearing. She stood straight, glaring at him, hands on hips.
It was times like this he wished his uniform had pockets. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest and stared back at her.
"Do you know what I've had to deal with, chasing you around the world?" she said.
Captain Marvel frowned in confusion. "No," he answered.
"A lot."
There was a moment's silence. They stared at each other.
Finally, Captain Marvel spoke. "Okay."
More silence.
Then, both at once, they said "I've been thinking…" Trailing off they gestured for the other to go on. Wonder Woman took the opening.
"Billy, what happened…"
"Wasn't anything," he interrupted, then slammed his mouth shut. "Sorry. That was rude."
Diana gave him a curious smile. "Well, maybe it was something." At his increasing confusion, she went on. "Maybe we were trying to tell ourselves something."
"Like what?"
"Like to relax. To be human."
Captain Marvel laughed. "That's what Bruce said."
"You talked to Bruce?"
"Yes. I didn't know where else to go."
"I spoke with Shazam."
His eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes. He's worried about…well, us."
"As a…you know…?"
"Couple? No, as individuals."
Sitting in the cool grass, she told him of her conversation with the wizard. Eventually, he sat down too and told her of Bruce.
"Look," he said. "I'm sorry about kissing you."
"Why? I'm not."
His eyes were wary. "You're not?"
Diana shook her head. "I don't know what it means, but I'm not sorry it happened. Perhaps Shazam was right. Perhaps we were just trying to be people."
"Something we should evidently do more of."
"You mean being people…or kissing?" Her eyes were playful.
Marvel blushed. "Uh, well, I meant being…you know, people…"
"Relax, Billy. I was teasing."
"Yeah, okay."
They sat in silence again, but now the tension was relieved. It felt companionable.
"So how does one go about being a person?" Wonder Woman murmured.
Marvel considered, then stood up. Extending his hand to Diana he said "I have an idea where to start."
*****
"You put that down right now, you little monkey!!"
The dark-haired boy beamed up at his mother. "I'm not a monkey, mama!!"
"Yes, you are," she answered, affectionate teasing in her voice. "You're a little rug monkey!! Tickle fight!!"
The two rolled around on the floor, the boy's peals of laughter echoing off the pleasantly decorated walls of the small ranch-style house.
From the den, his father yelled "Hey, you two! Can't you let a reporter work in peace?"
They stopped rolling around and looked at each other. An evil glint came into the mother's eyes. "You wanna go get Daddy?"
"Yeah!" the boy answered with impish delight. Together, they got up and ran into the den.
"What? Hey, now, wait!!"
"Tickle fight!!"
"Watch the leg! Watch the leg!"
Daddy's laughter joined the other two's. They were interrupted shortly after, though, by a knock at the front door.
Smoothing down her blouse, the mother came out of the den. "I'll get it!!" she called. Pushing a hand through her hair, she opened the door and gave a gasp.
"You!"
"Honey, who is it?" Daddy, carrying the boy and supporting himself on a cane, came out from the den and into the living room, stopping as he saw who their visitors were.
Captain Marvel stood on the front porch, a tentative smile on his face. Behind him, Wonder Woman stood trying to look as friendly as possible.
"Hello, Mary. Freddy. Can we come in?"