II
First Meet
:::
April 18th, 2016: The Daily Planet
(Present day)
"Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr Kent."
She said taking his hand in hers and shaking it firmly.
Agent Prince's eyes were sucking him in. No, in fact the very sight of her was sucking him in. Her eyes looked out over the news room from behind rather thick glasses. Sure, she was mousy looking but it wasn't in a weird or unattractive way. It was strangely intriguing. She was tall and staid in her flat shoes and sported a rather drab, professional looking dark suit. A visitors badge was prominent on her sport coat. Her hair tied back in a tight bun, giving her face a rather pinched look. A queenly iciness. Clark was a journalist, he lived for the details and something about the way this woman carried herself told him that this was the armor she had created against the world.
She was an angel, Clark decided.
That he was sure of.
"Kent?" Perry hissed, snapping his fingers in front of the man's face. Much to his dismay, the cracked image of Agent Prince faded away, replaced by the burly, angry project manager next to him. In the three years, that he had been at The Daily Planet, Perry White had been one of the many consistent things in his life - always bearing that prim, grey tuft atop his head and that angry slant on his lips.
But it was enough to have him flustered, Clark blanched for a suspended second, gaping at Perry before turning back to Agent Prince.
"Oh . . . Yeah, right . . . uh . . . the pleasure is all mine . . . Agent Prince." Clark stammered, mentally chastising himself.
He had barely been in the presence of Agent Prince for more than two minutes and he had already been turned into a floundering mess. He could picture Lois rolling her eyes at him now. Clark pursed his lips, straightening himself and picking a stray piece of lint of his own gray suit.
"A representative of your office called, to inform us that Director Steel wouldn't be present today." he said. "They requested that you call when you arrive. You can use my phone if you would like." Agent Prince nodded and thanked him, before politely declining.
"I already made the call," she explained, coolly.
"Right . . . of course you did." Clark murmured more to himself than her, Agent Prince had really pretty eyes. It took him a moment to realize that he was still staring.
"Christ," Perry grumbled, wedging himself between the pair and speaking directly to Agent Prince. "You'll have to remind me to send my regards to Mr Steel, for allowing us to proceed with such a fetching opportunity."
"Certainly, Mr White. An interview with The Daily Planet is most definitely an opportunity one could simply not pass up." The way she spoke, it was like something he had never heard before. It was rich, and sultry and something achingly exotic. Perry seemed to be analyzing Agent Prince, just as much as he. The only difference being was that he was not bothering to hide the fact that he was blatantly attracted to her.
The bastard was like a dog with a bone.
"Indeed, Miss Prince. The pressures of this industry can be quite daunting." Perry flirted, "Although I'm sure an attractive young woman like yourself can handle it." The man was absolutely shameless.
To say Clark was grossed out would be an understatement, he was out right disgusted. Perry White, a cherry hound. The thought in itself was truly sickening, Clark was just glad that Agent Prince seemed way to smart to be sucked into that sort of madness. Not at all like the Cat Grant's or Linda McAllistor's of the world.
"Some people have bark, Mr White. Some people have bite. I have both." Agent Prince replied, Perry grinned, and he hated it.
"Fascinating."
Agent Prince hummed, "Indeed, is that what a man of your senior looks for in his women?" she asked, neither accusatory nor simply. Clark pursed his lips, quelling down the urge to smile. There was no missing the way the elder man squirmed, just as blown away by her bluntness as he. Clark, however found himself all the more curious about her.
Just as he'd suspected, Agent Prince was way to apt for the big fries of Metropolis like Perry White. That had to be a major blow to any man's ego; Perry straightened, smiling tightly toward Agent Prince before setting his wrinkled gaze on him.
"Kent, why don't you take Agent Prince down to the 3rd street diner across the street." he said, "Olsen has taken the conference room for the Rhett Jenkins interview." With that being said Perry shoved a recorder into his hands, Clark frowned, his fingertip skirting over the edge of it's metals. His eyes darted to the conference room that had been meant to be set aside for the Sarge Steel interview and Clark cringed when he realized that Jimmy Olsen was evolving from a pity project into a - God - a friend.
He almost rolled his eyes, his mind conjuring up the image of one auburn haired Olsen, a loopy-grinned individual with his tie loosened around his neck.
"You're on the clock." Perry explained, tapping the black Baume & Mercier around his wrist. Clark parted his lips, his neck beating red.
He resisted the urge to give him the finger.
"Roger that, Chief." Clark said tightly, his voice dropping to a low murmur. Clark wanted to know what he wanted from him. It had to be a game he was playing because he knew he wouldn't rise to the bait, because he had the upper hand. Perry turned as if to leave, before stopping and setting his sparkling glare on Clark.
"Get what you can get Kent. Not everyday merits an extra edition." he said so only he could hear, his tone cutting and sharp. A faux smile was plastered on Perry's face, a sneer hidden behind it. He wondered if Perry would play with his food before ripping into him later. Definitely door number two, he mused, crossly to himself.
Clark swallowed as Perry backed away, casting Agent Prince a small smile. She smiled politely in return.
He clenched his jaw. "Fantastic," he murmured, under his breath some of his earlier confidence fading. One of these days he would not be able to stop himself from wringing Perry White's neck. It was that simple.
"I hope everything is alright," came Agent Prince's voice once White was out of ear shot.
Clark exhaled through his nose, "I was about to say the same thing." she waited for him to respond, but he only continued with a small smirk. "Today must be Wednesday."
Agent Prince nodded, then shook her head, desperate to regain focus. "I am sorry that Director Steel was unable to make the trip."
"These things happen," Clark replied, "Is my interview with you still on track."
"Certainly, Mr Kent," Agent Prince replied, earnestly. "Rest assured, I was given a few more tasks to complete while I am in Metropolis."
"I see." Clark answered. He was not a second offbeat, if anything conversation seemed to be coming seamlessly between them.
Agent Prince smiled, almost imperceptibly, but he caught it. "And what of Mr White, is he always so brash?"
"Trust me, you get use to him" He chuckled, gesturing for her to follow him into the elevator. Just being in the presence of her was already starting to lift his mood. "That or you'll just end up killing him."
:::
3rd Street Diner
(Upper state, Metropolis)
Ninth Street Espresso was the go to place for any journalist after hours. In respect, it was the go to place for anyone who wanted a quiet break away from the hustle and bustle of the city that never slept. The sanctuary for the timorous, the book worms, the giggling teenage girls. The gossip queens.
"Coffee?" Clark asked, rubbing his palms together in hopes that they would stop sweating.
Superman didn't sweat, but Clark Kent sure as hell did. Especially in the presence of a woman as fair as she.
"Please." she answered, "Black with two sugars." Clark nodded absently, offering her a small smile before leading Agent Prince to a table just outside the winsome cafe. He pulled out her chair for her, an old habit he picked up in Kansas. Agent Prince took the chair graciously, though with a raised eyebrow. Diana's eyes went vacant as she tapped her nails on the edge of the coffee table, legs crossing and uncrossing as she watched him duck inside the petite bar. Her ears picked up on his order, two fruit pots, one ice Mocha and a two sugared black coffee to go.
Super hearing was actually quite hard to turn off, but for moments like these it came in handy. Especially if he wanted to try something completely devious like drugging her drink.
Kent returned in no time at all, "Black . . . two sugars" he said, calling her to attention. Diana swallowed as Kent's eyes brightened, holding her gaze. He set down their orders carefully and Diana grabbed for her beverage gratefully.
She inhaled sharply . . .
Clean.
"Thank you," she said, finally. "It's perfect."
She sipped it carefully, taking a gulp of liquid courage before glancing up at Mr Kent. Blue febrile eyes gazed back at her, an intense kind of stare that sucked the air out of the room before rushing it back in, he had the most oceanic eyes, and she could swear that they were sucking her in. They were bottomless, and the look in them terrified her.
She swept her tongue out over her lips, and Kent watched.
Diana swallowed, remembering exactly why she was here in the first place. Lex had forewarned her about this, about the tricks that he would try to play on her mind. That they all would. The Justice League of America, or The Muts as Lex was so fond of calling them couldn't be trusted.
Superman.
Couldn't be trusted, and Clark Kent was equivalent to Superman.
Diana forced her eyes back down to the mug sitting snugly in her hands. He cleared his throat, before announcing the interviews commencement and with the press of the button on his tape recorder, they were in action.
Kent pushed through his initial questions rapidly, unsure of how much time he might have for the interview. He crossed the big two questions Perry had given him with as much depth has he dared or could stand. The DMA would admit to no official policy regarding Superman, though since that single fact wasn't likely to sell a single newspaper, he decided to pursue the angle along a different track.
He asked about any concerns that the department might have about the various abilities the Man of Steel possessed, and if they might have any unknown side effects (concerns that he, privately, worried about).
He inquired about the various menaces that had sprouted up after Superman, and in some cases owing to specific ties to the Man of Steel's weakness: Kryptonite. This man, was asking questions about collateral damage, and the victims of MetaHuman clashes, or "events" as the public relations people wanted them to start calling it. He asked questions about reforming some of those powered individuals that were on the wrong side of the law, and how to inspire metahumans to be better than they are, both enemy and ally.
Diana had to give it to him, the man was good.
But she was better.
"Mediocrity is not an option for us. We don't want that, and neither should you." She interrupted, quirking her lips.
Clark watched her, his eyes sparkling with interest. Her answers were engaging and most of all … wise.
Often, government personnel he interviewed seemed to give the same answers, calculated to be brief, and utmost, not arouse anger or controversy. Placid answers that stretched the definition of the word. But this woman spoke with passion about the people in the world that heroes worked so hard to protect, and villains were all too ready to harm. She spoke about hope for a better future, without any fear mongering or the sacrificing of principles.
It was by far the most refreshing interview he had conducted for a long time. It far surpassed the hopes he had for the initial interview with Sarge Steel.
She was . . .
"Incredible."
Agent Prince blinked and let out a breathy little laugh, "What?"
Clark blanched, realizing his mistake. It took him a moment to realize that he'd murmured the words aloud, someone could've thrown ice water over him and he still wouldn't of been able to will his mouth to move. "Oh," Clark stammered, rather dumbly. "My apologies," not that, that had been any better. He prayed in vain that his embarrassment hadn't made it to his cheeks, and if it had Agent Prince was clearly to polite to say anything.
He appreciated that, because if it had been Lois he wouldn't of heard the end of it.
"I never took you for a fantasist, Mr Kent." Agent Prince, acknowledged and tucked a stray strand of raven away from her face. He wondered what she would do if he went completely crazy and did it for her.
However, the words continued to tumble from his mouth, digging him further and further into the hole he had already stupidly dug for himself. "Uh . . . A what?"
"A day dreamer."
He quirked a brow, clearly surprised by her analysis of the situation. The woman was smart, too smart for her own good. It was impressive, as much as it was compelling.
"Am I really that obvious?" Clark breathed, mad at himself. Mad at Perry. But the up side was that at least he had enough knowledge to scoop a story and keep Bruce quiet for a little while.
Agent Prince went silent for some time and feeling more than the idiot, he busied himself alternating between jotting down notes and picking at his fruit pot. He was knocked out of his pretend musing by her voice.
"Your secret's safe with me." Her blue eyes were serious as she said it, and it almost forced the air to lock up in his lungs. The more he got to talk to her, the more amazed he was by her. Her honor, her sincerity. She was stirring something within him, something he hadn't felt in three years.
He parted his lips, let out a breath. "Clark."
Agent Prince gave him a curious look. Before parting her lips in question. "You can call me Clark," he solicited.
She responded in kind, her eyes alight with something he couldn't quite place. "Very well." she finally murmured. Clark shook his head, ducking his head to hide his smile. He wondered what her name was, he wouldn't threat though, he would get that out of her sooner or later. He found the genuineness of this woman endearing. Too often since coming to the city he was awash with fast talkers or gilded personalities; people who only wished to be an echo of what was trendy or on the cover of a magazine. This woman was refreshing.
The reporter's pad that held his notes for the interview was out on the table, but cast aside and forgotten. Perry would have his guts for garters if he didn't wrap this up, but he couldn't get enough of her.
He wanted to learn about her. To learn what was behind the suit, behind the ambassador persona.
He wanted to know . . . the woman.
"So . . . what of you, what does Clark Kent, the big shot journalist get up to when his not in the suit?" She sounded truly curious, her voice dropping low in the silent summer air. Clark thought for a moment before responding, considering the answer to her question.
He thought better of it.
"Nothing that would be of interest, I'm quite boring." Clark sniffed, tucking the tape recorder into his messenger bag. Clark licked his lips as he returned to his fruit pot, popping a strawberry slice into his mouth and letting a bit of the juice dribble to his clefted chin. It was horrifyingly adorable, and Diana forced herself to look away when he licked it off.
"Does that surprise you?" he said after a moment.
"Not in the slightest." She answered, evenly. "Besides everyone has a few skeletons in their closet, right Mr. Kent?" Clark's eyes widened, and Diana was pleased by his momentary panic. It was a new thing that she was trying, being more brazen with her words, aiming to shock. Metropolis was slackening its grip around her throat with every passing day. She watched as his mind raced, his jaw clenching in defense.
The tables had turned, and now it was her turn to ask the questions. She watched as he mentally prepared himself for his answer, meticulously choosing his next words carefully before smirking, "I wouldn't know . . . I'm a kind of live by the book type of guy."
She tried for a smile, "Sometimes it's the best way." was the only comeback she could force to presence.
"What about you?"
Diana raised an eyebrow, "Pardon?"
"What's behind the suit?"
"Nothing very interesting." Diana insisted, something shifting in her eyes, like she couldn't find her role in the aforementioned saga of life either. She swallowed, parting her lips but saying nothing. Clark waited for her to go on, but he could tell that it was all she was going to give away.
"Really?" he asked a moment later, not quite believing his ears. "You strike me as a kind of live by the moment type of gal, surely someone as put together as you has a life." Clark watched as her cheeks flamed red, relishing in it. She tensed, avoiding his eyes.
"It's sad but true." she stated, jaw tense, hands clasped.
"Well, when you put it like that,"
"Women often feel they have to choose between smart or sexy." she said, "This interview says you can be both of those things. You can be fabulous and fearless,"
"Touché."
Diana laughed a little, shaking her head. "You are something else aren't you."
"You have no idea," he chuckled. Clark watched her for a while, something seemed to be passing between them. Her façade of prim ice and perfection was cracking now, noticeable only to those who could recognize it in themselves.
Clark noticed.
Agent Prince's hand traced the china of her mug, fingers feeling what wasn't there. Emptiness collided with torment in her eyes and her smile faltered like happiness didn't belong to her. And when he looked at her, Clark saw himself. She must've realized that he was analyzing her because the guarded expression returned, her eyes clouding over until it was nothing more than the cool ease from before.
Clark wanted to see her smile again.
"Charming," she murmured, finally getting up from her seat. It was then that his hand darted out of it's own accord, his fingers grasping her wrist before she could go. Diana stared down at his hands, losing her breath.
What game did he think he was playing?
"I'll walk you to your car." Clark's brow almost crinkled at the softness in his own voice, and he quickly snapped out of it, grasping for his signature shrewdness. Agent Prince straightened slightly, rosy lips curling up to reveal dimples. Yep, Clark thought, he was definitely in trouble.
Agent Prince regarded him for a while, her brilliant eyes searching his.
"Thank you," Diana said carefully, extricating herself from his grip. He stood up to face her, glancing down at her lips. Diana tightened her fists, realizing what he was doing, apparently he realized too. For he took a few steps back, keeping a respectable distance between them. The last thing they needed was to make this a personal affair, but he couldn't see what was so wrong with that.
He threw down a couple of bills, leaving a generous tip, and shoved his writing pad in his bag. Agent Prince remained silent throughout the whole ordeal. She could not figure him out. Usually she would consider herself excellent at reading people, would learn the measure of a person by the way they talked, how they carried themselves. But this man held the door for her when they left, he was kind to her, he smelled . . . good. She was dwarfed compared to him, which was odd because usually she towered over people. He was a statue wrapped in a painting in a frame made of muscles, and not even an over sized suit could hide that. It didn't make sense, so this had to be a facade to mask the ticking time bomb behind the suit.
Humans were incredibly ignorant little things, it didn't take a genius to know the secret behind the glasses.
Clark fell into step beside her, and realized that he didn't want the day to end. Diana looked at this unassuming man and knew that this wouldn't be the last time they saw each other.
"I should get these notes to Perry, his going to be tearing his hair out," Clark marveled, as they approached her car.
"I can imagine," she said, a little laugh under her breath.
"Guess the day just kind of ran away with us,"
"Guess it did."
"Do you have enough for your story?" she asked looking in his eyes hidden behind his glasses.
"Quite enough," Clark said sheepishly, "Actually, it will be hard to trim down to an interview. I probably have enough to fill a book," he said running his hand along the back of his head with an embarrassed grin. This woman was fascinating and he wanted to see her again. He risked yet another question for the day, "what are your plans for the rest of your trip?"
"Well," Diana said, tucking a few stray hairs into her bun, "I suppose I should take the chance to see the city. I have a little bit of work to do, but I should have enough time to take in the sites. Who knows, I might even get a chance to see Superman."
"Metropolis is a pretty big place," Clark said disheartened for a moment at another woman who seemed interested in Superman, "It could take a while to see them." He thought for a moment that he, Clark, would really enjoy more time with this extraordinary woman. "I would be happy to show you around though," he plunged ahead, "If you would have me for a guide." he offered rather sweetly.
"I'm a very independent woman and I agree Metropolis is a big city. But, I'll consider it." she thought another day spent with this man would be time well spent. Besides, It was her decree.
Clark's lips lifted into a devastating crooked grin. "So, is that your way of saying yes?"
"That's my way of saying maybe."
"Sounds like you're saying yes."
"Maybe."
"Definitely a yes."
"Gods, you are incorrigible." Diana breathed. They were silent for a moment as she exhaled, her pink glossed lips pinching together as she gathered her bearings. He watched her, feeling a scandalous ounce of appreciation. She tucked her clutch under her arm, and flipped a brown curl away from her cheek, and his stomach twisted, his heart jumped at the sight. But it only brought a beam to his face.
"I can be." he said after a while, the words drawn out and meticulous.
Diana breathed a small sigh as they exchanged a fueled stare. "Goodbye, Clark." She murmured, as her valet came around to open the door for her and just as she made to duck into her car, Clark's voice rang out through the hustle and bustle of the Metropolis streets.
"What's your name?"
He watched as a shadow passed over Agent Prince's features, one that lit those brilliant eyes up with a playfulness that looked good on her. "If I tell you, what would be the fun in that, Clark Kent." Clark waited for her to respond, but she only continued with a small smirk, "Until . . . I consider it."
And with that Agent Prince swept away, her car peeling away from the pavement. Leaving Clark wondering if he had imagined the whole thing. Had that really just happened, had his life really just changed so drastically in the space of three hours. Clark shook his head, raking a hand through his hair as he watched her go. He waited until her car had safely disappeared into the flock of yellow cabs before pulling his own notes from the messenger bag at his side. Mercifully the city of Metropolis did not require any salvation, and thankfully for him that meant that he would deliver his discoveries to Perry by the skin of his teeth. But Clark remained glued to his spot lost in thought and one Agent Prince imprinted on his mind.
To say that time ran away with him would be an understatement, he completely spaced.
He felt a bit nostalgic.
He refused to believe that this was the last time he'd see her, something in his waters was telling him that this was only just the beginning. And one simply didn't just pop an eighty two Bordeaux because it's on the shelf. He was going to know her, was going to figure out the woman behind the suit until he knew her better than he knew himself. He wanted that, and he wanted to see her poised and perfect feathers ruffled.
There was something happening. The fates had cooked up something, and that something obviously had a plan for him. But he knew one thing for sure, Agent Prince would be in his dreams tonight.
Rao, Clark thought to himself.
What a woman.
:::
Diana's shoulders hunched, glasses came off and a mane of dark curls fell down to her shoulders as she let down her chignon. Something about being in the presence of this... Superman had left her shaken. This Clark Kent, this . . . Superman acted like one of the humans. He pretended to be normal when he wasn't, she had to know why. Diana was terrified. Terrified of the way his touch lit her skin aflame, petrified when a simple glance from him sent her guarded heart astray. If he was fire, she was a pyromaniac. And to love the blaze was to get burned.
She snapped open her cell, still only getting use to how these modern day devices worked.
The chips were falling into place, and she was steadily easing Superman right to the place that she wanted him. But to say his name, Gods to even think it would be an acknowledgement that she was not willing to make.
Mind games. Diana thought to herself. Definitely mind games.
Her decree was simple. Get in, get out. She had been preparing for this for three years and she'd be damned if their plan failed at her expense.
Furthermore, she was forever in Luthor's debt, he had promised her that he would help her find out what happened to her. Find out how she ended up comatose in that block of ice all those years ago.
Luthor may have rescued her from a bemusing life of fear and dubiety but she was no imbecile.
This was a tit for tat situation.
She helped him. He gave her the access to a thing of her past. A photograph. And hopefully the key to unlocking an endless stream of stray memories.
Her thumbs hit the buttons of the device, and sent a single text.
Were in.
Authors Note: AU - Derived from The Captain America story line. So chapter two is here! Clark has already developed a "crush" on Diana, Diana may be brainwashed but she's not stupid. She knows Luthor holds the access to everything, she also believes that she is in Luthor's debt because he saved her from a life of fear, especially since she can only remember elements of her life. I usually prefer to do angst over fluff, so I'm glad that you guys are appreciating the style change. Please keep the reviews coming, as they completely make my day while I'm nearly falling asleep in morning classes. Also, just a side note with Diana being a demi goddess and all regardless of whether she is dressed in her Diana Prince persona, she's bound to have that unnatural sexual allure going on.
Thoughts? ...
Special Thanks: I'd like to say thank you to the support I have gotten for this story and the reviews! Expect a new chapter in about a week or a week and a half. Much love!