A/N: I don't know whats going on today. I just keep churning out ideas. It's like diarrhea. Idearrhea. You can go ahead and use that someplace. Make it sound like you're a witty MOFO who came up with it on the spot. Or you could sound really lame. I don't know.
I really should be studying but I obviously don't care about my future,so I will almost certainly fail my GCSE's.
And you don't give a shit about all that. So here's the story.
Diana woke up in an unusually productive mood.
The sun had already risen, the light seeping in through the maroon curtains was a bloody red. She slipped into a simple robe that had been discarded at the foot of the bed. The room was much more luxurious than her usual quarters. The ceiling had intricate, colorful floral patterns in it.
There was a large crystalline chandelier in the middle of the room,easily the most beautiful item there. The bed was very soft, like sleeping on a giant sponge that adjusted itself every time you moved. She checked the label. It read MEMORY FOAM. She made a mental note to get that for her bedroom. The huge floor to ceiling windows were a nice touch as well, something she would take back to Themyscira. The architects would like it.
She brushed her teeth in the massive bathroom,checking her teeth every few strokes in the huge, ornate, gilded mirror that hung above the sink.
The bathroom was almost clinical in appearance. The color scheme was a minimalist black and white, with a cream colored bathtub on one end, and a very elaborate looking shower cubicle a small distance away from it. Diana wasn't too proficient with modern technology, so she opted for the bathtub, which was much more was a wide range of salts, body scrubs, facial scrubs,gels and creams arranged on its edge;along with several different types of brushes and loofahs.
How can one person use so much? she wondered. Back home they made do with a pumice stone and a stream of cold mountain water. She picked the least complex-looking bottle and sniffed it as hot water filled the tub. It smelled like honey and yoghurt. She poured a generous amount into the tub, gasping as it bubbled up quite rapidly. She slipped out of the gown and got into the tub.
There was a TV mounted opposite the bathtub. Now this I can operate, she thought. Looking around for the remote she realized it was embedded in a console on the bathtub.
I could get used to this.
After fumbling around for a bit, she figured out how to use it. She started channel surfing(one of the first things she learned to do).
"...rumor has it he will replace Hugh Jackman as Wolverine..."
*click*
"... that Colombians are upset with Steve Harvey for his mistake.."
*click*
"... is this pretty blue number right here. She matched it with the sneakers perfectly.."
*click*
"... burn fat fast with the Berry Blaster Body Booster.."
*click*
"...I know when that hotline bling.."
*click*
"... took place late last night at the Blue Marlin Hotel. Mercifully no one was hurt. Thank you Chris, out there in Gotham. I gotta tell ya,the world doesn't make sense like it used to in the old days folks. There's kids climbing walls in Forest Hills and goddesses humbling Presidents on national television*."
Diana rolled her eyes. She missed shaking the French President's hand after a conference and left him hanging. It seemed the world would never forget it, judging by the number of embellished images-or 'memes' as her assistant called them-on the world wide web.
*click*
"...that's right Cat. Bruce Wayne, Gotham's most eligible bachelor could be a bachelor no more. We can practically hear the hearts breaking across the country. Exclusive photos show Mr Wayne with none other than the most eligible bachelorette Princess Diana of Themyscira, or Wonder Woman if you prefer. I don't know about you Cat, but they look to be having a good time."
"Couldn't agree more Ryan. In this photo we can see them sharing a moment at the balcony, perhaps to get away from prying eyes. But this photo here is the winner. It looks like they're dancing in the sky. How romantic! And here we thought Bruce Wayne didn't have a romantic bone in his body!"
"It's very-"
*BOOP*
"I don't know why I waste my time with this drivel. Whatever good I do they will find a way to cheapen it."she mumbled. Thank Hera her mother didn't have television. If she did, Diana would be getting an earful right now.
She got out of the bathtub, toweled off and went into the bedroom. It was then that she noticed the package draped over the chair. It looked like a bag, but it was very thin. The label read Dior. There was a note attached.
I never take anything for free. Consider this dress payment for the lift you gave me. B.W.
At first she was a little off put by it. It felt a little condescending. Picking out a garment for her? Was she incapable? But then she calmed down a little when she realized it would save her from leaving in the same dress as last night(what her assistant called, the 'walk of shame'), and calmed down completely when she tore open the package and found a lovely olive green dress inside.
She put it on quickly and left the room, clutching her small overnight bag in her hands. She made a beeline for the elevators,and bumped into a familiar looking man.
"Whoa. Sorry about that. After you miss." he said.
They both stepped quietly into the elevator, the man going slower so as to let her in first.
"Goin' down." he said to no one in particular. He glanced at her,then looked away. He looked at her again more intently, his blue eyes searching her face. "Oh sh-Uh, Princess. You're the Princess, right? Sorry about that, terribly sorry. Where are my manners? You probably don't remember me, my name is Trevor. Stephen Trevor. Everyone just calls me Steve."
"Captain Steve Trevor,the celebrated war hero?" she queried.
"Uh, yeah, you remember. Actually its Colonel now. We met at-"
"The first ever graduation of two female Army Rangers at West Point. You were drunk and asked me to dance. Yes, I remember."
He scratched the back of his neck, as men do when they are shy.
"Yeah, that's me.. I've been meaning to speak with you. Its a matter of great importance. I didn't get to do that last night what with all the chaos.."
"You can always schedule a meeting at the Embassy, Colonel."
"See that's the thing, I can't really go there, can I? My, uh, superiors would prefer it if we could just have an informal meeting. It's more of a chat really. When are you free?"
"I see.. I have a lot of events lined up this week. Will this take long?"
"No, just a few minutes of your time.."
"Very well then. I was going to have breakfast, I suppose you can join me."
Smallville
The cheesecake was half eaten and the lemonade pitcher was about 1/4 full. Clark listened patiently as his adoptive father explained to him his illness. Martha was quietly sipping on her lemonade, but her face was very pale.
"..So you see, even with the medication, my chances aren't looking too great anyway. Pretty soon, I'll have to get a nurse. Not long after that, I'll have to be transferred to a hospital. Eventually, I'll be hooked up to a machine just to survive. And that's the best case scenario."
Clark swallowed dryly. "And the worst case scenario?"
Jonathan glanced briefly at Martha and then at Clark. He sighed before answering. "I could give you a long winded answer filled with all this medical jargon, but I'll just be straight with you two. Simply put, I could go at any time."
Clark just stared blankly at the table.
No surprises there. Jonathan's heart beat sounded extremely irregular to Clark's ears. Nothing like the slow,steady beat he had when he was younger. He looked at him now.
Jonathan looked as healthy as always. He had some steely silver hair at the sides of his head, but the rest of it was still black. His face had a few wrinkles, most of them laugh lines. His rough hands and thick forearms were still capable of hauling massive bales of hay. How could someone who looked so strong, so healthy,be so sick? So weak inside?
When Clark was a little boy, before his powers had manifested, he would often marvel at his fathers physical toughness. He couldn't remember a time when the man ever got sick. Back then, he thought Jonathan Kent would live forever.
Jonathan who could push their ancient Chevy truck all by himself.
Jonathan who could uncap a bottle of Budweiser with his teeth.
Jonathan who once fell off the roof while fixing shingles, broke his collarbone and walked all the way to the town hospital because Clark had borrowed the car. He was the living embodiment of Dad could keep him down.
"..Clark? Clark? Are you there son?" Jonathan was snapping his fingers in front of his face. "There he is. Wow, you sure can zone out. It's like you weren't even here. You should teach me how to do that. Might come in handy the next time your mother nags me."
"How can you joke at a time like this? You just told us you can die at anytime! Any! Time!" Martha was exasperated.
"Well, yeah, but its a worst case scenario honey. You were always a glass half full lady, weren't you?" Martha glared at him.
"Look, humor, laughing at life, enjoying the good times while they're here, that's the only way I can make it through this. That's how we always made it through our problems. You've got to look on the bright side. Remember when Clark destroyed the barn with his heat vision, and our favorite stack of LPs got torched along with it? Remember what I said?"
Martha wiped a solitary tear from the corner of her eye with a small smile. "You said, 'we'll always have the memories.'"
"Exactly. Crying won't do anybody any good now. If my time here is limited, I want to make the most of it."
"All right dad, we understand. But no more heavy lifting. If I have to, I'll come down here every day and help you out with the work. Don't argue. I have mom on my side." Clark added with a grin.
"Great. Now I'm running late for work. I should get going. Remember, no heavy lifting dad." Clark embraced both his parents before flying out of the window.
Carnivore Restaurant
"So this is where you want to eat huh?"
"Yes. I have heard their pork is spit roasted to perfection. I would like to try some."
"You want to have meat. For breakfast."
"Actually I want to have pork. There is a difference Colonel. What's the matter, are you a vegetarian?"
"Uh no. It's just, people usually have coffee and donuts, or milk and cereal, or oatmeal and raisins,eggs and bacon even.. But ok. This is ok too.. After you."
The maitre'd was experienced, in his mid 40's. Naturally he saw a lot of high profile customers, but a superhero/Princess and an Air Force war hero were unexpected.
He kept his cool though, showing them to their tables with quiet efficiency. The other waiters were staring openly. He gave them their menu's and went to shoo the waiters away to serve other tables. He returned after a few minutes.
Amateurs, he thought as he left the waiters.
"And what shall you have, sir and madam?", he asked as he took their menu's back.
"I will have the roast pork with apple sauce. For a drink I shall have your strongest bottle of wine."
It is a little early for wine, thought the maitre'd, but he merely blinked. "And you sir?"
"Uh, I'll just have the grilled steak with a side of salad. Hold the dressing."
"Very good. Your meals will arrive in the next 10 minutes." He went back to his post.
"So, Colonel, what is the purpose of this meeting?"
"There's no need for titles with me. Just call me Steve."
"Only if you call me Diana."
"I can't do that."
"Why?"
"Royals are.. royals. I'm just a soldier."
"Albeit a highly respected and ranked soldier."
"Even highly ranked and respected soldiers have to defer to someone."
"As do royals. Our power comes from the people."
"Ha. You would have made a fine hippy."
"Sorry?"
"Nothing. You win. I won't call you Princess."
"So, Steve, what is the purpose of this meeting?"
"Well, I have a pitch for you."
"A 'pitch'?"
"Think of it as me selling you an idea."
"Go on."
"You see Diana, the world is changing. Things are happening that no one thought would ever happen, outside of movies and comic books."
"I have a feeling I know where this is going Steve."
"Hear me out. The government, it is.. worried about.. people like you."
"People like me?" she asked sharply.
"Come on, don't get like that. You know what I mean. Meta humans. Specifically superheroes."
"What of us?"
"They're worried about your actions. Now most of you are doing good work, that's commendable. But last nights events are a perfect illustration of the 'dark side', if you will, of the meta human world."
"Meaning?"
"As much as metas like you may want to do good, there are always going to be bad apples in the bunch."
The maitre'd returned then, brought them their meals, and departed quietly.
They eyed their plates. "I thought this would be bigger. That explains why it took such a short time." Diana remarked.
"What were you expecting, the whole pig?" She didn't reply, already cutting into the food. "Oh my god, you were!" he exclaimed.
Diana swallowed. "The roast is delectable. This cook is truly blessed. Yes, I was expecting the whole pig."
"Yeah? That's how they do it back in the old country?"
"Yes. That and so much more. I don't mean to rush you Steve, but that's a very nice steak you're not eating."
Steve cut a small slice and took an experimental bite, savoring the juicy cut of beef. "Pretty good." he said.
"Now, what exactly is it you're proposing?"
"We- My employers, they want you to spearhead a team."
Diana stopped eating, putting down her fork and knife. "A team."
"Yes."
"And what would this 'team', be doing exactly?"
"Well, it would be a kind of meta human control group."
"I see. A government sanctioned, government funded, government LOYAL, group. I'm sorry Steve. I will not be a government stooge."
"Come on Diana. You're exaggerating. You of all people should understand the necessity of it."
"I'm not sure I understand you."
"You understand perfectly. You're a princess, but you're also a warrior. A politician"-she wrinkled her nose at the term, Steve smiled slightly-and a soldier."
"Go on." was all she said.
Steve sighed with relief inwardly. Reel her in slow, he coached himself.
"You've seen, firsthand, the negative effects of meta humans. Do you know how much money the government has spent on structural repairs, in Metropolis, last year alone? A billion dollars. Literally. One year only. Let that sink in." He cut into his steak and ate another forkful.
"So Superman costs a lot of money. A lot of things are expensive, in more ways than the monetary. People waste billions of metric tons of perfectly edible food. I don't see how a government sanctioned team could change that."
Her tone screamed,convince me.
Challenge accepted.
"This team would fix that problem by doing his job for him. You would have full government support and sanction, in exchange you get to do good. Kick ass, save lives, heal the world."
"Sounds good."
"Yeah?" He stopped eating.
"Too good. What's the catch?"
"Sorry?"
"The catch. Surely you are familiar with that term, you were raised here, no?"
"I know what you mean. There is no catch."
Diana laughed. Every head in the restaurant turned at the sound. Even Steve was momentarily drawn in by it.
"Oops. Sorry." She said,as though she did something wrong. "I just find that hard to believe. I may still be a.. a 'noob' in Man's World, but I am not so naive. If there is one thing I have learned from my few years here, it is that no one does anything for free. There is always a reason, hidden or otherwise."
"Ok, first of all, don't say things like noob. It sounds terrible coming out of your mouth. Stick to the perfect English you speak. Second, there is no catch."
She looked at him pointedly. "You are lying."
"All right. You get to kick ass, save lives and help people, the government gets to look good for once. You know how it is. Everyone loves to hate powerful people. Just look at yourself."
Then, in a softer tone, "I saw the reports. It's sickening what they're doing. Slandering your good name."
She stopped eating. "Don't do that Steve. Just don't."
"Fine, I didn't think you were that dumb anyway."
"'That dumb'"?
"Ignore that.. Diana, it's not a bad deal. Things are only going to get worse for metas from here on out. Do you really want to spend the rest of your days running from the government? You might be able to handle the ass rags they call paparazzi, but the very forces that make this country work? Take it from a 'government stooge', they will take a giant shit on you. It is not fun."
"All right Steve. I've listened to what you have to say. I want you to know that all options are open to me and I will be considering your offer."
"That's all I wanted to hear." He said with a smile.
Business done, they proceeded to eat their meal in companionable silence, oblivious to the stares they attracted.
A/N: *From Ultimate X-Men #9. Colonel Wraith tells General Ross: "The world doesn't make sense the way it did in the old days, General. There's kids climbing walls in Forest Hills and mutants humbling presidents on live television". Loved that series. That quote reminds me of what the news anchor said in Watchmen about Dr. Manhattan(not the first quote, the second one,when he-the reporter that is-has gone a little crazy). It seemed very fitting somehow. Yeah, I borrowed from Marvel. Don't crucify me.
Carnivore restaurant is a real place. If you're ever in Nairobi, Kenya, go there. Best meat you'll ever eat in your life. Legendary parties too. There's one in SA as well, or so I've heard.
If you're a fan of The Good Wife, that last statement Diana gives Steve will sound familiar. Remember what Alicia did? Exactly. Is it weird that I watch The Good Wife? And does anyone read these notes?
As always,
Read and Review.