III

Her Name Is Diana

:::

April 19th, 2016: The Daily Planet

(The following day)

"I've had it" Olsen quipped, pushing away from his desk, and sinking further into his office chair. "I need to get laid. All work and no play is turning me into . . . You,"

Clark rolled his eyes as he tapped away at his computer, his fingers clicking against the keys like an annoying tick. Jimmy Olsen was one infuriating bastard and friend or not Clark was only just starting to realize this. It wasn't that Jimmy didn't mean well, he did. But he also had this terrible tendency of making an outrageous habit of saying the wrong things to people. Often putting his foot in his mouth, or better yet landing Clark in the doghouse right along with him.

"Gee Jim, I uh . . . don't know what to say . . . thanks" Clark retorted mockingly, taking a moment to crack his knuckles.

"We need to do something this weekend," Olsen concluded, with an impish note of determination to his voice. "Have a bros night out. Hit up club 88, Hey, we could even invite Dawson and Elliot."

Clark hummed distractedly, clicking away at his computer mouse. That was not even remotely close to where his mind was at. For the last twenty four hours he had practically been cyber stalking Agent Prince. He had told himself that it wasn't stalking, it was simply researching but he knew he was only fooling himself. Of course, pulling up unorthodox information had not been the most easiest of tasks and he had needed to use his Kryptonian software to pull up her profile; but he had persevered in the end. Not one of his finer moments, but at least he could address her by her forename now. Her name was Diana. She was a transfer from the South Eastern European department of MetaHuman Affairs and spoke an impressive quantity of five different languages. She was a vegetarian; and she was feisty and headstrong.

Clark liked that.

But there was something more than that. There was something about her, something just under the surface, something unique from anyone he had ever encountered before.

"I just, need a woman's touch y'know." Olsen soldiered on, "Christ, I want . . . That." he added, glancing at something that Clark couldn't see and successfully snapping him from his reverie. Clark glanced up to seek out what had peaked Jimmy's interest. He watched as Lois Lane got up from her desk and walked out of the newsroom, making her butt waggle in her short skirt as she walked past them. Several men's heads turned to take in the sight as she left. Jimmy's included. Once upon a time that would've made his blood boil; would've had him gripping onto his coffee mug just that little bit tighter, but now it was simply hereditary.

Clark looked back to the device in front of him, imbursed in his studying. He wondered if Diana Prince would take him up on his offer.

"Holy guacamole" Jimmy whistled, lurching over to invade Clark's privacy, as apposed to his dignity. Clark looked up with a start and blushed. For once he didn't need to remind himself to act embarrassed as part of his charade. Jesus, Clark thought to himself tensing as the realization hit him that he had failed epically at hiding operation research Agent Prince.

"What a dime. Who is that?"

"The Agent Perry brought in yesterday. She came in to replace Sarge Steel because he couldn't make the interview." Clark explained.

"Christ, she is a fine one isn't she." Jimmy said, rhetorically. "Think she'd give the old Jimster a go?"

"Not likely."

"Come on, you know I'm a stud." Jimmy laughed, excitedly. "She won't be able to turn this down."

Clark didn't like the idea of that. It could've been a joke, but Olsen sounded serious and a little to interested for his liking. "No." Clark said a little to quickly, Olsen raised a red eyebrow at him before his freckly face broke out into a complacent grin. Damn him, Clark seethed to himself.

"Well I'll be damned," Olsen snorted, incredulously. "Someone's hot for the Agent."

Clark blushed to the roots of his hairline. Surely he wasn't that conspicuous. Was he?

"That's a very active imagination you have there Jim." he said carefully, in an attempt to compose himself and maintain what little dignity he had left.

"Baloney, Kent." Jimmy chaffed. "It's written all over your face."

"Whatever you say Jim." Clark retorted, fighting a smile.

"I don't blame you, the Agent's hot." Jimmy said, shaking his head. "I wouldn't think twice about bending her over my desk."

Clark stiffened. Alas, and there it was, the outrageous habit brought forth by the terrible tendency. He let out a laugh that lacked the humor, shooting Olsen a smirk that did not quite reach his eyes, "Yeah, keep dreaming Jim."

"Is that jealousy I detect?"

"You're abhorrent."

"And you, have a terrible poker face."

Clark waved him away, reaching for the pen atop his final edit as Jimmy sang juvenile songs about him and Agent Prince sitting in a tree. God, what was he, in the second grade? Clark shot him a look in warning as he scratched out some of the unethical parts of his story.

"I never took you as a fan of the secret service," Jimmy wittered on, teasingly. "That'll go down well with Perry."

Clark opened his mouth, but before he could murmur a defensive response, Jimmy groaned, glancing over his shoulder.

"Speak of the devil and doth he appear," Jimmy coughed as Perry barreled up to their desks, a pinched scowl on his face. If he was seething it couldn't be at him, he had done his bit. Clark himself was just thankful that he had gotten the article to Perry in the nick of time, yesterday. Unless Perry was thinking to juxtapose that of course. It was fucking ridiculous, really.

"Kent, Olsen. I need a 411 on the Rhett Jenkins case." Perry commanded, fiercely. Not even giving them the chance to catch their breaths; this was getting to be a joke but if he was being honest with himself, they were all in the same position. They all had bills to pay and Clark simply took Perry's crap because he knew if he hit Perry he would risk breaking his neck, or worse.

"It'll be on your desk by the end of the day, Chief." Clark said, tightly.

Jimmy piped up instantaneously, "Oh," Olsen murmured, braving a comeback. "Well, Mr Jenkins was very specific about the questions he would answer honestly." Perry's eyes flitted to the red head.

"Curiosity killed the cat, Jimbo" a sinister smile curled on his lips. "One can only imagine what it would do to an Olsen," Jimmy startled, retracting his inquiry immediately. Jimmy had always been all mouth and no trousers, it was one of his funniest qualities. With that Perry gave him a hard look before swanning off, no doubt to give someone else a hard time.

"I promise you, one day." Jimmy said after a moment, his eyes glued to the spot that had Perry just stood in.

Clark let out a breathy little laugh, "I'll hold you to that, Jim."

"You know I'll do it," Jimmy preached, "Later, Kent." he added, picking up his papers and backing out of the newsroom.

Clark glanced around, then leaned in closer to his computer. He smirked, fingers poised over the mouse. His eyes twinkled, his mouth lifting up into a wide smile. He caught his reflection in the silver lamp that hung on his desk and almost frowned. He looked like a toddler on Christmas, his eyes wide and glowing as if Diana Prince were some sort of prize. Clark silently scolded himself, sobering his expression as he picked up his office telephone.

He had a phone call to make.

:::

The Casanova Hotel: Diana's Hotel Room

In her hotel room Diana was still in her silk pajamas. It had been a late night, and she hadn't even gotten a lot of work done. She had spent a good deal of it reading the stories in the Daily Planet Archives by Clark Kent. She was astounded by his bravery in fearlessly reporting on the crime rampant in Suicide Slum, and moved by the humanity in his piece on an old midtown theater, the Apex, that was being torn down.

He had interviewed a few of the old stars that had worked on her stage and wanted to give the old building a last curtain call. He had done some foreign correspondence as well reporting on the humanitarian efforts of Doctors Without Borders and the tragedy of child soldiers in the conflicts overseas.

Now as Diana poured over her reports from the DOMA she couldn't seem to keep her mind off of the seemingly simple reporter. Clearly, Luthor knew something about him that she didn't, but it was confusing. He seemed so empathetic. How was it possible for an alien to be so . . . human?

Diana moved over to the vanity that was snugly placed in the far side of the room, stopping briefly only to pull her hair back into a neat bun. The telephone rang then and Diana snatched it up before the phone had finished its first trill. "Yes," she said into the phone sharply.

"Agent Prince," came a deep baritone voice from the other end. Diana straightened recognizing the voice instantly, "It's Clark,"

Diana's stomach flipped. She went silent on the line for a moment, contemplating her next move.

"Clark Kent,"

"I know who it is." she responded, how could she possibly not know. Tall, infuriatingly attractive, easy on the eyes, the heart throb of Metropolis, Superman. How could she forget? She needed to stay focused, Clark Kent was messing with her mind, it infuriated her. How did one simply manage to twist another's mind in such ways. It didn't make sense, this world didn't make sense.

"When would you like to start your tour?" Clark asked, hoping that an emergency wouldn't call him away.

"You're persistent." she commented, a small smile starting to form on her lips. This was a good thing, it was what she had been hoping to achieve. It meant that she was gaining his trust.

He had a teasing quality to his voice as he asked, "Surprised?"

"Should I be?" she shot back. Skeptically awaiting what he'd say next.

"So . . . your name's Diana." Diana felt worried for a second. She instantly thought of the way he'd touched her hand in the diner yesterday, a heated touch, like he'd wanted to force whatever haunted him right into her. Diana shuddered as if the action was actually possible.

"Surprised?" She queried, throwing his own question back at him.

"I expected no less. Beautiful, elegant, classic. It suits you."

Diana flushed as he spoke, thankful that he couldn't see her right now. He was probably trying to butter her up, she wondered how he had managed to find out her name. From what she understood the DOMA profiles were private. Did the Justice League have that sort of power. If he could find out basic information like that, what else could he find out?

Diana swallowed, "Stalking me are we, Clark?"

"Maybe." he replied honestly, but his voice was airy and relaxed.

"I hope you're aware that's illegal,"

"I suppose this is the part where you recite me my Miranda rights."

"Scared?" Diana challenged, and it was a wonder that she didn't fall down from the enormous chip on her shoulder.

"Terrified." Clark laughed lightly, and the sound vibrated through the phone. It was a rich and hearty sound that tickled against her ear. "So, two o'clock?"

Diana blanched for a suspended second, her heart leaping to her throat. "I . . ."

"What are you afraid of?" Clark's voice came, warm, deep and laced with a dare.

You, Diana thought to herself. She felt a rush of panic, the control slipping as if it were sand through fragile fingers. The feeling threatened to rise to her throat. This was supposed to be on her terms. Diana straightened, clutching the phone just that little bit tighter, she had this. She was in control, stood on solid ground. "Okay Clark Kent . . ." Diana trailed of holding her breath. "I'm game." she frowned at the lack of social etiquette on her part.

He laughed at that, this man seemed so sure of himself, it was disturbingly intriguing. He went on, persistent. "So, I'll be in the lobby when you're ready" he told her, "Come down whenever."

Diana stiffened, instantly on alert. "How did you know I was in a hotel?"

"I had a feeling." he answered, provocatively. There was a pensive pause and Clark's sigh fanned out through the phone. If she closed her eyes she could imagine him now, windswept dark hair, smoldering blue eyes and a crooked smile.

Diana squashed the image down, burried it. Cremated it even; she didn't have time to dawdle over the antics. This needed to be approached correctly.

"On second thought two o'clock sharp." Clark finally said, suddenly overcome with an ounce of bravery.

"Two o'clock." Diana mirrored, she fought for control. "And what if I'm any later?"

"If you're late I'll come up to get you myself."

"Is that a threat?"

"It's a promise."

Click.

And the line went dead. Diana took the cell from her ear, and glared at it so hard she thought it'd burst into flames. So, the man liked to be in control, she could handle that. Hell she'd practically invented that routine. Where had that bravery sprung from? perhaps she was finally seeing his true self. The persona behind the bumbling reporter act. He's bluffing, Diana concluded. Flustered beyond anything she'd ever believed to be possible. He was the one that she was hunting, but ironically it would appear that he was falling willingly into her cross hairs.

This was about to get very interesting.

:::

Diana had decided to rejuvenate herself in more researching before they met up, relishing in the fact that she'd made him sweat a little by arriving late, or at least she thought she had. True to his word she had opened her hotel room door to find him poised and leaning against the doorway on the other side.

Clark took her in, she was perfectly coordinated in her attire and so chic. He had told Perry that he would need to go out, to "dig" a little deeper into the Rhett Jenkins case, But really he had just wanted to see her again. Clark had decided to take a different approach with Diana, to take a leaf out of Superman's book. Truth was this woman was bringing out a side to him that he hadn't even known existed.

Her blue eyes watched him expectantly, and Clark almost lost his nerve.

"I thought you'd bailed on me for a second, there." Clark laughed, nervously. He resisted the urge to shuffle from foot to foot.

"And risk being kidnapped by you, I wouldn't dare." Diana retorted lightly, mulling over his words in her mind. Bailed. The word wasn't foreign to her, she had heard the kids of this age throw it at each other a couple of times, but she was still yet to understand the context behind it.

Clark visibly relaxed. "Ready?"

"I guess I am." Diana confirmed and actually felt confident in her choice for once. For the rest of the day Clark showed Diana the sites of the city he had come to call home, much to her chagrin she found she couldn't keep her eyes off of him. She'd watched the lines of his face as he described the sites. The set in his jaw when he talked about how the waterfront, with a charming little malt shop, was threatened by crime flowing in from Suicide Slum. His smile as he talked about the new nightlife and a nightclub he was going to be writing about in New Troy.

He even introduced her to a source of his named Bibbo that ran The Ace of Clubs.

That fellow had his own sort of rough charm. She actually found herself sort of enjoying his company, Clark seemed to have an inexplicable fascination on humanity. It was a golden complex he had, like he was desperate for normalcy, and living under his false guise was as close as he got to it. Her favorite part of the day was when he was showing her Centennial Park. He talked about how its open fields and swaths of grass reminded him of home.

That set him to talking about Kansas.

The way that he spoke of the fields of wheat stretching to the horizon was sweet and vivid. Diana could close her eyes and picture the golden fields being caressed by the wind. It was almost like she was spellbound, helpless under his control. She couldn't let it happen, but at the same time a part of her threatened to give into it.

Clark remembered Diana had said she would like to see Superman before she left yesterday and he briefly thought that if he could slip away for a moment that Big Blue could maybe fly past Spiegel tower and give a wave.

That would probably make her trip.

But he found he didn't want to be away from her. And he enjoyed that she paid so much attention to him instead of fawning over what Superman did.

Clark thought about this woman and how she made him feel.

He liked the few stray hairs that fell out of her hair bun to frame her face."She is beautiful," he had concluded sometime during the day. "As much as she tried to hide it and for whatever reason, she is beautiful." Many of his barriers that he kept up in playing the part of Clark Kent had fallen away.

He had stopped slouching and hadn't forced himself to stutter all day. If not for the glasses and once reminding himself to stumble over his own feet as they walked around the Metropolis Museum of Modern Art, that façade could have been thrown away for the day.

Clark took her to a cute little diner named Bernie's Rooftop deck. The place was a quiet little establishment; and had the feel of a 50's style diner, but a genuine one rather than those imitations specifically tailored to present their cultivated environments as a façade. The colors seemed to jump from the walls at her. It was tweed looking if you were into that sort of thing. They didn't have to wait long before they were given a table, where they ordered quickly before Diana excused herself to the ladies room.

Which brought her smack bam in the middle of her current predicament. She had needed to get away from him for a few minutes, she had been keeping Luthor informed on their movements for the better part of the day, via text message of course. But the more time she spent with him, the more the sick feeling in her stomach flourished.

Clark was getting under her skin, and she couldn't put her finger on how or why? . . . it overwhelmed her and confused her all at the same time. It made her head hurt, and her world threatened spin to spin out from beneath her.

Diana squared her shoulders, as she sauntered over to him, her skirt swirling around her thighs, her hair bouncing around her shoulders. Clark took a second to admire her, subtly glancing at the inch of skin peeking out from between her skirt and stockings. She slid back into the booth opposite him with a small sigh, that threatened to take his breath away. He wondered if he had been talking too much during their tour. He'd felt it was only fair since yesterday she had to answer so many questions.

"So . . ." Clark began, playfully. "Are you glad you considered it?"

Diana raised an eyebrow, clearly amused at him. "I don't think I had much of a choice in the matter."

Clark pursed his lips in faux shock, amusement lighting his eyes. "There's always a choice, Diana. Admit it, you enjoyed today."

She wouldn't admit to it, wouldn't rise to the bait he'd decided to hang for her. She stuck to a simple answer, "It was eventful."

Clark cocked an eyebrow, knowingly. "You wound me Agent, and there I thought I witnessed a smile on your face at one point during the day."

Gods, he was infuriating. But it made her all the more curious about him.

"A simple delusion of grandeur," She fought the smile on her lips, but it came anyway, tugging until her whole face lit up. Clark grinned again.

Hook, line and sinker.

"Tell yourself whatever you need to," he breathed, his eyes bright and vibrant. "I know what I saw."

Diana couldn't stop the laugh then if she tried, the man was something else entirely. Was this the Superman Luthor was so afraid of?

Clark on the other hand was completely taken with the sight, when Diana smiled at him he felt a feeling in his stomach that was a lot like when he was flying.

"You should do that more often," He suddenly blurted unable to stop himself.

"What?"

"Smile, it looks good on you." Clark marveled.

Diana's heart jumped and she was sure the smile that quirked at the corners of his lips meant that he'd heard it.

"Are you flirting with me, Clark Kent?" She asked through the blood roaring in her ears. He didn't miss a beat, a wide beam spreading on his lips again.

"That really depends on how you look at the situation." Clark challenged, inching closer over the pert table. He was surprised by his own brazenness.

Diana swallowed, her right hand curling in her lap, feeling the pinch of the ruby ring on her finger. She squared her shoulders, mirroring his actions. A strange look crossed over Clark's face then, and his eyes threatened to swallow her whole.

"I want to know . . ." Clark trailed off, daring to brush his hand against hers atop the table. "I want to know more about you."

Diana's breath hitched and she nearly had to pinch herself to recall why she was even here. There was nothing to tell, she didn't know herself. It was a tragedy, really. He smelled so good, like ambrosia and bails of Kansas hay, like the mannish shampoo he no doubt used in his hair. Gods. Diana bit down on her lip and tried to force herself to stop. She needed to focus.

"I already told you, yesterday. I'm not very interesting." Diana insisted, glancing up through batted lashes, searching his face. Rao, what was she doing to him? Clark thought to himself.

"I don't believe you." He heard himself say, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.

"I don't care." Diana whispered back, just as thickly.

"If you say - " Clark was cut off by a light pound on his back, and he resisted cursing at the intruder. Lois Lane was sauntering over to them with a sickly sweet smile on her face.

"Smallville, is that you?" Lois called.

Clark blanched retracting his hand from Diana. He slouched again, his head lowering a little and not meeting Lois's eyes directly. Diana followed where Clark was looking, and carefully folded her hand back into her lap.

"Uh, Lois . . ." Clark sputtered, astounded. "What are you doing here?"

"The usual Smallville, looking for a scoop. Having a quick one." There was a pause. A misplaced anchor waiting for it's ship to accept. Lois propped a hand on her hip and cleared her throat. Clark shook himself, and attempted to collect his bearings, but it was nigh impossible. This was incredibly inconvenient and Clark wanted the ground to swallow him up.

"Right, of course." Clark finally managed, "Sorry . . . this is . . ."

"Agent Prince I presume." Lois interrupted, cutting Clark off facetiously.

"Yes." Diana answered with forced politeness. But right then, a hot flush was spreading across her cheeks and it wasn't the embarrassed kind. It was the kind that saw this woman for what she was.

"Lois Lane." Lois continued, keeping her eyes on Clark. Lois extended a hand and Diana took it shaking it firmly. "That's some grip," Lois commented dryly, there was a subtle hint of provocativeness under Lois' voice. But Diana was not deterred.

"Clark and I work together." Lois stated, wedging herself into the booth next to Clark. "Closely . . . We share a by line sometimes."

Diana looked between the pair, her expression unreadable. This was interesting. This Lois Lane woman seemed to be 'protecting her interest's' for lack of a better world. Clearly, they had been romantically involved in the past, she knew this because while under the care of MetaHuman Affairs Luthor had drawn no short sticks in educating her about the Lois Lane - Superman dynamic. One of Superman's most scandalous sordid affairs. Miss Lane was known to be the bulldog of the paper companies, the star reporter - all, thanks to her habitual knack for swooping an exclusive with the Man Of Tomorrow.

Clark let out an impatient breath, his back going up just that little bit straighter.

He was getting irritated.

Diana shrugged one shoulder and smiled, a small dimple on her cheek. "Interesting," Diana said in a voice that she herself didn't recognize. She had barely been in the presence of this Lois Lane for more than two minutes and she already wanted to pop her head from her shoulders. Miss Lane was trying to make her look the fool and Diana would have none of it.

"My boss, Perry White has told me so much about you, you're kind of hot gossip in the office at the moment." Lois responded, curtly. "Correct me if I'm wrong but you're the replacement for Sarge Steel, am I right?"

Diana forced herself to calm down. She didn't have time to deal with petty little girls, she had a mission and that was priority. "Yes," she answered, her voice colder than she'd ever heard it. Diana looked to Clark and found him staring back at her. He was kind of grimacing but there was something else there, too. She couldn't classify it as awkwardness, but there was definitely fear and confusion. Like he thought this Lois Lane character would frighten her away.

Lois regarded the pair for a moment, before slinking her way out of the booth. Diana kept her eyes on Lois the entire time. Something inexplicable churning in her gut.

"Any way, it was nice to finally meet you . . . " Lois trailed off for a moment, "Agent Prince."

"You too, Louise." Diana responded, challenging Lois with twinkling eyes. She stared at her sharply, icy blue eyes nearly cutting Lois down.

Lois swallowed, for a moment she actually felt threatened. "Lois." she piped up, instantaneously.

"What?" Diana asked, innocently.

"It's Lois, you said Louise."

Diana laughed under her breath, "My apologies . . . Lois." Diana smirked, giving Lois a small wave goodbye, and successfully fanning down the heat in her cheeks. Lois cast a final hard glare in her direction before turning to leave.

Things were quiet between she and Clark for a second, as both tried to gather them self. "I apologize about Lois, she's can be quite extrovert at times. She means well, really." His voice was deep and gentle, packed with an undercurrent of exasperation.

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us." Diana stated, wisely. She reached for her water and took a healthy sip, then swept her tongue out over her lips. "I take it you two use to be an item?"

Clark rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "It was complicated, but it's been over for a long time now."

"I see," Diana said, eyeing Lois in the distance over Clark's shoulder. "And you still care for her?"

Clark let out a imperceptible breath, weighing his options. Finally, he settled for something honest. "I do care for Lois, but not in the romantic sense." He explained, "Sometimes fate has other plans for us,"

Diana swallowed watching as Clark's eyes grew in earnest for the second time that evening, and she had to look away for fear that her cheeks would heat for a totally different reason. She heard him draw out a quick breath, heard him start to speak when he cut himself off abruptly.

"We should probably - " Clark began, but stopped short. Diana did glance up at him then, and watched as an array of different emotions skittered across his face so fast that it threatened to give her whiplash. He looked so serious that Diana almost didn't recognize him. She knew what he'd heard because she'd heard it to. Clark suddenly looked toward her his usually calm eyes brightening with wild fear. And from his lips escaped a word so loud that the whole diner could hear it.

"Get down!" Clark roared as he yanked her toward the floor, and glass exploded around them.

Crash.

Collision.

Impact.

Authors Note: AU - Derived from The Captain America story line. So chapter three is here! There is no doubt that there is an attraction between these two now, emotions are running high and ambitions are running low. Clark is already heading down the long winding path of being completely smitten with Diana, and Diana is torn between what Luthor has convinced her to think and her attraction to Clark. Lois is an annoying nuissance who is only good for falling off buildings and not having any balls to fight for herself. What could be next for Clark and Diana, I'll give you a clue, there's only one bastard that can be behind this cliffhanger and it starts with L and ends with a R.

Thoughts? ...

Special Thanks: I'd like to say thank you to the support I have gotten for this story and the reviews. You guys are awesome! Expect a new chapter in about a week or two, Much love!