XXVII

Ultraman's POV

We rode back to the compound in awkward silence. I started a war over her. My actions spoke for me, but her silence stung more.

"She's a weakness, Kent!"

Seated beside Arthur, I heard Perry's smoke-laced voice in my head. He was cursing the day he brought me into his house.

"And for what?" his voice echoed. "Damnit Kent, look at her! She's afraid of you, you colossal ass!"

I knew the voice of my old mentor was right. As I looked through the glass dividing us, my eyes were drawn to her fingers. The sound of her fingertips touching gave her fear of my away. I closed my eyes as self-loathing filled me.

"Breathe…" I said as I tried to suppress my feelings.

Sadly, once I closed my eyes I was brought back to the steps of Lois's house.

"... then why didn't you hand me over to him?"

The Amazon's word vomit made me audibly sigh. The words were right there…

"Because I…"

But the rest of the words stopped.

"… was a selfish man."

I could have easily handed her over and removed myself from this whole shit show, but the way she looked at me. Her pale blue eyes sparked something within me. Maybe it was the Kryptonian side of me seeping out, but the thought of handing her over enraged me more than the possibility of being another man's pawn. I wanted her for myself.

"You vowed never to do this again," I told myself.

No man would have power over me again. No, I should have handed her over to Darkseid and ended everything. I should have let his vile hand touch her… Caress her… Fuck her…

"MINE,"

I sensed something moving closer and my reflexes kicked in. I reached out and grabbed it. I felt a heartbeat beating against my skin. It raced. I breathed in her scent and she had grown wet… from my touch.

"You calm me," I whispered as I opened my eyes.

I released her from my grasp and continued toward the SUV waiting for us. As I walked past her she stood there in shock.

As I reached the bottom of the steps, Arthur opened the door in front of me.

"Bruce would like to have words," he whispered.

"I'm sure he would like to have several," I replied coldly.

Looking over my shoulder, the Amazon once more looked down at me.

"Come," I ordered as I opened the backdoor.

Reluctantly, she made her down the stair, holding the hem of her dress up. Revealing her strong legs. She was too perfect for words. Yet, I knew Bruce's words were coming. I stood straighter and dug my fingers into my palms. She looked into my eyes as I opened the backdoor. I tried to me seem as cold as possible as she stared back at me.

"Kal…" she whispered.

"Amazon," I said as she stepped into the SUV.

My voice was low and cold. Closing the door, Arthur looked at me with his eyebrow raised.

"That wasn't necessary Ultraman,"

"It was more for me than her," I replied.

I needed to remember who she was. A pawn for my conquest of Darkseid's territory. Arthur scoffed as he entered the vehicle.

"Lying to yourself won't make those feelings go away,"

"Just drive us home fish boy," I growled.

Arthur rolled his eyes…

Present, in front of the Crime Syndicate Headquarters

Bruce was waiting for me as we arrived at the compound. He looked like his usually pissy drunk self. I told Arthur to take the Amazon up to her room as I stepped out of the vehicle. He looked at me puzzled as he swiftly joined me outside.

"You sure about that?" he asked as he held onto the backdoor.

"Just do as he says," Bruce hissed as he walked over to us.

Arthur told the Amazon to follow him. She looked over at me but Bruce intervened.

"Go inside," he growled.

The Amazon said nothing as she followed behind Arthur. Further in the compound, J'ozz stood waiting for her arrival. Standing beside me, Bruce's lifeless eyes followed the Amazon every move until she was out of sight.

"You've done enough damage for one night…" he growled.

I laughed. Bruce wasn't amused by my actions.

"Fuck her and get whatever…" Bruce paused as he pointed at the entrance of the compound. "This is out of your system."

"There's nothing to remove," I replied coldly.

Bruce turned to face me. He knew me too well.

"First you disrespect your wife, in public," he began.

"Everyone already knows I hate her ass," I replied. "What's so new about that…"

Bruce took in a deep breath.

"... second… Your ass started a gang war over some damn pussy!" Bruce bellowed. "Did you forget that part of this evening?!"

I began to walk away from him.

"And…"

"And?!" Bruce replied, his voice echoing off the glass walls surrounding us. "Did we approve this action?"

"When have I ever needed your approval to do anything Bruce?" I asked coldly.

Bruce's footsteps behind me stopped.

"It…" Bruce stumbled over his words.

I turned around to face him. Towering over him, I let a hum of red fill my eyes.

"Don't let our relationship cloud your judgment," I paused. "Old friend…"

Bruce gulped hard. I began walking once more.

"It was coming eventually," I replied coldly. "His shit has been coming into my city for how long Owl Man?"

Bruce spat on the ground behind me.

"A few months," he lied.

His heart rate tripled.

"It's been over two years Owl," I replied without looking at him. " Did you think I didn't see your lack of action in squashing his movements?"

"I did what I had to," Bruce hissed. "That man controls most of the damn world! What are we to him… Ants to be squashed."

I smiled.

"Are you questioning my abilities Owl?"

"No…"

Lie.

The thing about running Metropolis, you never show your hand. They've only seen a fraction of what I am capable of. Even J'onzz doesn't know how powerful I am. Bruce and Arthur have their suspicions, but I've always held back. Only Perry knew and that was because he was the one who found me after I… Burned them alive.

Once inside the compound, Bruce followed behind me deep into the womb of the building. As we stepped into the core I said.

"Pull up the Smallville incident,"

"The what…"

I smiled, "What I'm capable of…"

The screens surrounding us turned on. Scorched earth and burned bodies filled the screens. I stood in the center of a crater surrounded by molten earth.

"What the hell…" Bruce muttered.

I walked up behind Bruce and leaned into his ears.

"I am a walking sun," I breathed into his ear. "And I wasn't even trying to do that. Just imagine what I can do when I am…"

Bruce gulped. Without looking at him, I knew he was plotting something. He always does. He had his uses, but when the time was right… I will kill him.

"Don't get any ideas, Bruce," I said as I left the room.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Bruce replied.

"I want a full list of your dealing with Darkseid by the morning," my voice echoed down the hallway. "And Owl… The Amazon is off limits, I'd hate to have to kill you before your time…"