Clark Has a Problem
A DCAU One Shot by Andew Joshua Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a non profit fan based work of prose. Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, et al are the property of DC Comics and Warner Brothers. Please support the official release.
Luthor's latest scheme had left hundreds wounded or worse, numerous buildings in Metropolis destroyed, and his company losing billions. More than that, it had nearly gotten her killed. She had a laugh at the expense of Joker's little moll being sent back to Arkham, but it still hurt.
She managed to get to the local cafe for some food, even with her arm in a sling and a brace around her leg leaving her with a limp. She got her sandwich and ignored the looks from everyone else as she ate. They were mostly other Lexcorp employees, but she knew what they were thinking:
"How could she work for such a monster?"
"How much did she know?"
"Did she work for the Joker too?"
She finished her meal as quickly as she could, and limped out. She was so concerned with getting out, getting back across the street, she didn't see a car rounding the corner. She looked up and gasped, her eyes meeting the truck driver's just before the bumper would mow her down-!
Strong arms wrapped around her and she was flying... And then set down on a nearby rooftop. She looked up into the face of Superman, her heart pounding.
"You should be more careful, Miss Graves," Superman said, not unkindly. Mercy looked back at the street below. The truck had screeched to a halt, the driver still staring up in amazement. She instinctively pushed away from Superman, and he let her go. She winced as she held her busted arm with her good hand.
"Thanks, I guess," Mercy managed. She shook her head. "Bored with rescuing Lane?"
Superman just smiled back.
"I help anyone who needs it," Superman said simply, "when I can."
"... Even people like me, huh?" Mercy asked. Superman nodded.
"Even people like you," he confirmed. Mercy looked at him intensely.
"Why?" She demanded. "If Lex had died, wouldn't that have made things easier on you?"
Superman stared back, and let out a short breath through his nostrils.
"Sometimes... I do wonder about that," Superman admitted, "but I realized that if I did that... I'd be abandoning hope."
"Hope? Hope of what?" Mercy demanded.
"The hope that they can learn to be better people," Superman said. "Even Luthor has some good inside of him. If I let him die... That chance to be more is gone forever. And I snuffed it out." He looked intently at Mercy. "That goes for everyone."
Mercy flushed a bit. Superman getting so... Personal with her? It was strange, honestly. Maybe he just needed to vent. Maybe he was human, too.
It was weird. But there was a part of her that... That liked it. That liked getting this personal with the Man of Steel.
"Even me?" She blurted out, before she could stop herself.
Superman smiled back at her, and even her cynical heart was fluttering at that smile.
"Even you," he said gently. "Take care, Miss Graves." He flew off into the blue sky. Mercy watched him go.
Her cellphone rang. She checked the number: Of course it was Lex. She let out a sigh, and held it to her ear with her good hand.
"Yes Lex? ... Right away sir," she said, biting back a sigh.
Years Later...
Mercy Graves, CEO of Lexcorp. It still felt a bit strange to think it, let alone say it, yet here she was. Sitting on the throne of a multi-billion dollar corporation that was now back in good shape.
Lex had tried to muscle his way back in, with that Amazo robot of his. Tried to treat her just like a slave again. But she'd found the strength to just hang up on him when he'd had the audacity to demand lawyers and doctors.
Now, she was going to take another step. A step she would have never considered before. The ultrasonic transmitter she held on her desk was proof enough, sending out a signal that only Superman could hear.
The window opened at the signal from a sensor, and Superman flew in. He landed in front of her desk, his face determined and wary.
"You can shut that off now," Superman stated. "What's this about, Miss Graves?"
Mercy turned the device off, and slowly rose to her feet. Her heart was pounding about a mile a minute in her chest, but she kept her outward calm through years of practice. She smiled at Superman: Not a nasty smirk, or a plastic smile for the press, but a genuine grin.
No. Not too eager, Mercy. Focus. Calm down.
"I wanted to thank you," she said, "for everything."
Superman frowned as she walked up to him. She was swaying her hips a bit more deliberately than usual-But she could tell that, Man of Steel or not, he was noticing.
"I don't-"
"Please, let me get this out," Mercy interrupted, reaching up to rest a hand on his broad chest. She looked up at him with a warm smile. "Superman... If it wasn't for you, I'd still be Lex... Luthor's dog. Or I'd be dead, a hundred times over."
"You did that yourself," Superman replied, his tone gentle, "you turned this company around. You helped us-"
"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have had the chance... Or the will," Mercy said, drawing a circle over his chest. She looked up at him, and licked her lips.
"I want to... To thank you. Properly," she said. "With anything you want. Absolutely anything."
Superman stared intensely at her, and grasped her hand. Her heart was pounding now. They stared at one another in silence for what felt like several minutes.
He gave her a sad, gentle smile. Her grasped her hand in his... And just as gently, pushed it away.
"Thank you," Superman said sincerely, "but I can't accept that."
Her heart caught in her throat. She felt like ice was breaking in her stomach. She gave him a slow nod.
"I... I see," she managed. He reached down to wipe a tear from her eye. She sighed, and pulled away. She walked to her desk, and rested her hands on the top.
"... Lane?" She asked. She could see Superman nodding, a bit awkwardly.
"Her, and also this... Wouldn't help you," he said. "You don't want to trade in one master for another, do you?"
Mercy sucked in a deep breath, hating that he was right.
"... Even a kind, brave, gentle master?" She tried. "You... You don't have to love me. You don't have to care for me. You can just... Have me. However you want."
Superman rested a hand on her shoulder. Mercy found her other hand squeezing it tightly, as though trying to keep him there.
"I can't be that for you," Superman said.
"... Did you consider it at all?" Mercy asked, more bitterness than she wanted in her voice. "If you hadn't met Lane...?"
Superman squeezed her shoulder.
"You are a very tempting offer," Superman said, "and if I was any other man... It wouldn't be a question. But I love who I love. I won't compromise that. It wouldn't be fair to anyone. Especially not to you."
Mercy shut her eyes tightly, again fighting tears.
"I... I'm sorry," Mercy said, and she was surprised that she meant it. Superman turned her around, and tilted her head up by her chin. Her heart pounded once again as she gazed into his eyes.
"Don't be," Superman said, smiling again, "I'm flattered. But like my mother used to say? There's someone for everyone. You just have to get out there... And find them."
Mercy managed a slow nod. Superman nodded back, let her go, and flew out through the window. She watched him go, and let out a long sigh.
Mercy let out a laugh. Honestly, what was she thinking? Offering herself to Superman like a desperate fangirl? It was like out of some terrible porno, and she'd seen plenty involving lookalikes of her and lookalikes of Superman.
Was this what she was reduced to?
She felt so stupid!
Mercy sat back in her chair and stared up at the ceiling, sighing.
The fact he was so kind about it made it worse and better at the same time. And she knew that he was right. Becoming his slave... Would just be giving up her free will to another master. No matter how much better a man Superman was than Lex, it would put her back in the same place.
Mercy leaned forward on her desk, resting her elbows on it as she thought through things.
Still... She wanted a man who could take charge. Who wasn't afraid to stand up to authority. Not many men were willing to stand up to Lex. Not many she had any familiarity with...
Save one.
Mercy Graves smiled.
Clark got back to his apartment, changed into his civilian clothes, and sighed. He rubbed his temples.
"Geez," he muttered.
Being hit on by Mercy Graves was not what he had expected today. Who could have predicted that?
Hopefully, he had let her down gently enough she didn't hold a vendetta. That would be great. He could imagine Bruce's sarcasm now, and he imitated Batman's gruff voice as he headed to the bathroom.
"Great going Kent, you scorned the woman in charge of Lexcorp. Real tactical thinking," he muttered, as he did his business and washed his hands after. He needed some food.
Clark left his apartment and headed to the local deli. It wasn't as good as Ma's cooking, of course, but it was filling and the owners were wonderful people. He had just sat down in a booth and made his order... When Mercy Graves walked in. She was disguised in civilian clothing, of course, but he could pick her out anywhere.
Especially as she zeroed in on him and walked towards him like a predator bound for her prey.
"Hello Mister Kent," she greeted, sitting in the booth with a smile. Clark blinked.
"Uh... Miss Graves, what a surprise," he said. Mercy smiled at him. The same smile that she'd shown Superman. "Can I help you?"
"I want to give you an interview about the recent android incident involving Luthor," she said. "When would be a good time for you?"
Okay, that was strange. Clark blinked once or twice.
"Uh... I'm free this evening?"
"Good," she said, "I'll see you at the Minerva. Reservations have been made. Dress nicely."
"Um, what?" Clark asked. "Don't you think it'll be a little inappropriate? You know, to wine and dine a journalist for an interview?"
Mercy hummed, and nodded thoughtfully.
"You're right," she said. "We'll just call it a date then."
"I-What?" Clark managed in disbelief.
"A. Date," Mercy stated, "you're single. I'm single. You haven't been on one in a long time, Kent, and neither have I. You get an interview, I get to spend time with someone I like and respect. We both get what we want. Any objections?"
Clark was gobsmacked. He had a few objections... Unfortunately, they were all for Superman.
Not Clark Kent.
"Uh... No," he said. Mercy smiled and nodded.
"Good," she said, "see you at six."
She gave him a kiss on his cheek, and headed out with a spring in her step and a swing to her hips. Clark waited until she was in her limo and driving away before he gently slammed his forehead into the tabletop with a groan.
How did he get into these things?!
No idea how this happened. It just kind of did. And this is definitely a one shot. For me anyway.