Clark trailed his fingers through Gwen's hair. She lay curled against his side, half asleep, on the large inflatable raft. The jet lag from the long flight to Australia overwhelmed her, and Clark suggested they simply relax for the rest of the day. Their private pool was something she couldn't pass up.

The raft's canopy shaded them from the scorching sun, but beads of sweat still dripped from them both.

"You ready to cool off?"

"Not yet." Gwen sighed. "I'm too comfortable."

"Well, sweetheart, I'm ready." He kissed her head and pulled away.

"Hey."

"It's ninety degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. I'm taking a swim."

Clark slipped off the raft and into the water. The water felt so good that he sighed, and Gwen sat up.

"You should get in," he said.

"I'm still so tired."

Clark reached for her hand.

"Come here."

Gwen slid into the water, and Clark wrapped his arms around her.

"Isn't this better?"

She lay her head on his shoulder and hummed.

"It is."

"Before I forget, Lois sent me a reminder. The night after we get back there's a Christmas charity ball for the hospital."

"The first event since we really got together."

"Exactly. I'm hoping you'll come."

Gwen brushed her thumb over his cheek.

"Of course, I'll come. It's not like the first one. Our situation is different."

"But the situation with the press will be the same. They'll take your picture, and someone will realize you're more than a one-time date."

"And you don't want that?"

"No, that's not it. I just want to make sure it's what you want."

Gwen smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

"Our situation really has changed. In the beginning, you barely gave a thought to what I wanted."

Clark lifted her hand to his lips.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You've changed," she said. "Honestly, so have I. You care about what I want now. Well, what I want is to make you happy."

"You can make me happy by coming inside with me and having a nice dinner."

"So easy to please."

"That's only step one."

"What's step two?"

"Shower."

"Can you bear to be apart from me that long?"

"Who says we'll be apart?"

Gwen smiled. "Well, if that's what it takes to make you happy…"

—

"You're all over the tabloids," Amber said. "And a few of the more reputable entertainment mags."

"Really?"

"Yep."

Gwen put her phone on speaker so Clark could hear.

"There are photos of you two all around Australia, holding hands, kissing… it's definitely out."

"And you thought it would be the ball," Gwen said to Clark.

"Well, it's out there. Regret it?"

"Not one bit."

Clark smiled and kissed her hand. He pulled out his cell to text Perry.

Was it done?

The reply came back almost instantly. Yes, sir.

—

"Deep breath." Clark squeezed her hand. "Just be ready for a lot of flashing. Try not to squint. Look past the press."

Gwen adjusted the belt on her dark blue, silk dress, and she nodded.

"I'll be holding your hand the entire time, and we won't linger."

The flashes began as soon as Clark's door opened, then increased as he walked around to her door. When she stepped out, the night was lit with flashes. She kept her eyes on Clark until he started their walk down the red carpet, then she stared straight ahead, away from the cameras. Everyone shouted for Clark to look their way, but he never did.

Inside, Gwen let out a breath.

"You okay?"

"I'm okay. Glad that's over."

Bruce, seemingly out of nowhere, clasped Clark's arm. "Gotta talk to you."

"We just got here."

"Luthor is already here."

"Great."

"Did you hear what happened to his shipment?"

"I was filled in." Clark kissed Gwen's cheek. "Would you mind getting me a drink?"

"Hmm… trying to get rid of me. Guess I should get used to that, huh?"

Clark grinned as she walked away.

"So," Bruce said, "she was more than a date."

"She certainly is now. That's kind of why I sent her away. I want to talk to you about something. I need to set up a meeting. Your office."

"You're giving me home court advantage?"

Clark hesitated. "I'm giving you everything."

"What does that mean?"

"Have Alfred call Perry with a date and time. The sooner the better."

"Clark…"

"I'm out, Bruce. Done."

"That…. That won't be easy."

"I know."

"Downright impossible."

"Not with what I have planned. Schedule it. Please."

"Please? What's this girl done to you?"

"She made me want things again. Things you can't have in our world."

"Ok. I'll have it scheduled."

"Thank you."

Gwen was back with Clark's drink a moment later. He kissed her cheek, but Bruce took her hand.

"Would you do me the honor of a dance?"

Gwen looked to Clark, and he nodded with a wink.

"I'd love to, Mr. Wayne."

Out on the dance floor, Gwen smiled. "Your approach was much better than the last time."

"Well, I know you're more than just arm candy, now. Kent is head over heels."

"So am I." Gwen smiled.

As they twirled around the floor, Clark grinned. He loved seeing her enjoy herself. She was so much more comfortable than the last event he took her to.

"Mr. Kent."

Luthor's voice sent chills down Clark's spine. The tone was different from his usual high-strung, manic word-vomit.

"Luthor."

"Back in town, I see."

"You see correctly."

"I had to go with another carrier a couple times while you were away. I hope you don't mind."

"Nature of the business," Clark shrugged.

Bruce brought Gwen back, and Clark almost wanted to send her away. But odds were that Luthor already knew about her from the press. He caught her eye, and she stayed at Bruce's side.

"Yes. Nature of the business," Luthor said. "You know, I haven't seen Mr. Zod around in a while. How is he?"

"Zod is no longer with us."

"No longer with us?" Luthor laughed. "You make it sound like he's dead."

Clark just stared at the man with the cold, unfeeling glare he'd perfected over the last two decades.

"Well," Luthor cleared his throat, "see you around."

Luthor walked away, and Gwen wrapped her arm around Clark's.

"What was that about? Does he know about Zod?" she whispered.

"Did Luthor look a bit, I don't know, calm to you, Kent?"

"He did. I don't like it."