THE MORE THINGS CHANGE

CHAPTER 5

Lois Lane waited for Superman on the roof of the Boston Star. He was due to fly them back to Metropolis.

She paced the roof impatiently. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was running late. He had gone to help the Museum crews clean up and restore their security systems. It was what he always did after a crime busting mission. It was the one thing that made him so unique and well-loved by the public. Superman never left a mess behind if he could help it. He always saw a worthiness in working along side the common man to restore law and order. Some would call him a Boy Scout. One would never see Batman remaining back on a scene after he delivered the criminals,but to many it was simply goodness and decency,principles to be admired.

Lois found herself rifling in her purse and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. She lit up and took a deep puff and exhaled rebelliously. Let him see her!She wanted him to come and tell her off for smoking!So far she had been very good,cutting down,then wearing patches and had stopped fully since a year ago. But she always carried a small pack for insurance. When she was stressed,she found a stick soothing.

She was stubbing it out two minutes later,feeling a bit sick,and searched for a mint. She heard the whoosh of his arrival.

She looked up."Well,there you are. About time too. It's nearly three and I haven't had lunch. I'm starved."

He took her in his arms and lifted off."We can stop for something if you want."

"Perry wants me in office to get this story for tomorrow's edition. I'll get Jimmy to get us something from the deli." She folded her arms to her chest and did not put them around his neck as she usually did.

He looked at her and asked gently,"Stressed?"

She said wryly,"I know...I know...I shouldn't...but it keeps the hunger pangs at bay...Clark?"

"Mmm?"

"You never told me Wonder Woman was back."

"I myself did not know she was." It was not a lie at all events.

"So when did she come back?"

"I'd say today," he replied.

"Oh,don't act smart. You know what I mean...You'd not keep secrets from me,would you?"

He said calmly,"I would not keep any secret that had to do with me from you,no."

She frowned. Somehow that did not comfort her. She wanted to ask if he would keep Wonder Woman's secrets. But she did not want to sound petulant,so she refrained from pressing him.

Diana Prince met up with her students and Mrs Holmes in the car park. Her excuse for her tardiness was due to the crush of curious people and press overflowing the steps of the museum wanting to see the three members of the Justice League. It was difficult to navigate through all that crowd and she herself had been eager to see the heroes who had saved the day!

The girls were all rather subdued as they drove back to school. Although they had no memory of the events,they were aware of the details and somehow spending over two hours as animals was a blow to their pride. Additionally, there were those who moaned over their cuts and bruises and the state of their clothes. Georgiana led the view that her parents would not be pleased about their daughter nearly losing her life.

A few thought it had been awesome to see Superman and Wonder Woman!

"I think they are such a cute couple," sighed Sophy dreamily.

"Do you think superheroes date?"asked Rachel.

"I don't know. Where would they go if they could?" speculated Doris.

Jena snorted,"They wouldn't be able to sneeze much less date. Look at the problems movie stars have. They can't take a pee without it being reported..."

Mrs Holmes rebuked,"Miss Jones!Language!"

Jeno looked unrepentant."It's just a figure of speech,Mrs H."

"I told you, don't call me Mrs H..."

Diana diplomatically intervened,"Jena,I never thanked you for your quick thinking..."

Jena looked non-plussed. Diana explained,"For getting the others clear ."

She shrugged."We got caught in the witch's spell anyway..."

"But you were quick to help the others and that was commendable..."

The girls nodded in agreement,making Jena say gruffly,"Anyone would have helped."

Georgiana looked up crossly,not liking the attention the goth girl was receiving."She didn't help me. She called me a brat and left me."

Jena glared at her."You were too busy crying over that speck on your cheek!"

"That glass could have scarred my cheeks! ''

'Yeah,what a tragedy that would have been..."

"See!I told you she did not care!"

Diana sighed."That's enough. I called your parents and they will be waiting for you to take you home ." The bus had turned into the school compound and as Miss Prince had predicted,the parents of the girls were waiting.

The principal had been with them allaying any fears, and the sight of their children, generally unharmed,made them tolerant of the two teachers,whom some unreasonably thought ought never had dragged their precious daughters to a museum overrun with kids from all types of school.

Mrs Howard was very cross and took her daughter away at once."To think you had to mix with inner city kids!"

Mr Stein was more amiable."No harm done,eh?"

Mrs Mutamba sighed."It's a good thing the Justice League were able to come."

Diana watched the girls go off one by one. A deep voice sounded behind her."Miss Prince?''

She saw Mr Butler,Sophy's father,behind her with Sophy herself. She blinked. She had heard of this famous architect but had not met him and was surprised to see that he was good-looking and younger than she thought. She judged him to be about forty. He wore his blonde hair carelessly long,his hazel eyes were deep-set and penetrative;his clothes had a bohemian feel to them.

"My daughter has been singing your praising,ma'am. I am Adam Butler."

Diana looked at Sophy warmly."Hello,sir. I can't see why Sophy should be doing that."

Sophy began,"You do,Miss!You helped save me..."

Diana half laughed."You must be mistaken,Sophy,I did nothing of the sort. It was the Justice League..."

Mr Butler said,"My daughter said you threw yourself in front of her and her friends to prevent them from getting hurt."

" It was nothing."

"The Justice League may have done the main work but an ordinary woman with no super powers putting herself in harm's way sounds more of a Wonder Woman to me."

Diana did not know if to protest,laugh or be flattered. She smiled."That's very kind of you sir,but it was my duty."

Mr Butler replied admiringly,"Modest as well as brave."He put out his hand. His hand shake was firm."It was a pleasure to meet you finally. Sophy talks non-stop of you. Good-day."

Diana stared after him perplexed. She had the impression that Mr Butler had been flirting with her!She turned to go inside when her eyes fell on a solitary dark-haired figure. It was Jena.

"Jena?Aren't your parents here?"

The girl looked nonchalant and shrugged."My mom went shopping today and father is away on business. No biggie. I called a taxi."

Diana looked at her troubled."You'll be alone at home?"

"Nope. The house-keeper and cook and maids will be there. It's cool."

Her indifference spoke volumes. Diana wanted to reach out and touch her but thought better of it. She was as prickly as a cactus, and it would take more than a squeeze on her shoulder to get her to open up."Well,if you need to talk...anything...give me a ring. Here..."Diana scribbled her number on a piece of paper and gave it to her.

Jena looked at her suspiciously,"Why are you giving me your number?"

"Well,I'm new in this city and it would really be for my benefit...to give advise...you know...talk..."

"You have no family here?"

"No."

The taxi pulled into the compound. Jena put the number in her pocket."Right. I'll see you,Miss Prince."

The League had convened its weekly meeting. The original six,along with Steel and the Atom,sat around the conference table. They had talked of various things. Of the last mission,Steel's new features to the teleporters,the League's crime workshops in crime hot spots, Batman and Green Arrow trying to evade Monitor Duty,and Wally eating out all the Rocky Road ice-cream.

Batman looked at his watch."Can we close now?"

Wally stood up."Yeah...two hours of you all persecuting me has taken its toll on my butt...Let's go."

Lantern saw J'onn lift his hand and said,"Sit down, you exaggerating ice-cream thief! J'onn isn't finished." Steel and the Atom sniggered.

Flash rounded on them."Now see that?You hear him abusing me?And these two chortling away? I told you,Shyera!No one picks on J'onn for eating out the Oreos!Or Clark for finishing the Ketchup!"

Superman asked innocently,"Do I really finish all the ketchup?"

"You know you do!"

"Can we stop dragging this thing on and on?Some of us have real things to worry about!" snapped Batman.

Lantern cut in."Not everyone likes Oreos or Ketchup!"

Hawkgirl rolled her eyes."Heaven grant me patience. Will you shut up and let J'onn speak?"

The Manhunter looked at her with a wry shake of the head. He said,"There is something that was not on the agenda. It concerns a former member of ours."

All eyes looked at him now. He continued."Two days ago the world reported the return of Wonder Woman. I put to move a motion to discuss getting her back on the regular roster."

All eyes turned to Superman and Batman.

"What?" they said simultaneously,the defensive tone in both their voices unmissable.

Wally jumped to his feet and slapped the table."Yes!A million times yes!We have to have her back!She's the only one that does not gang up on me."

Green Lantern said good-naturedly,"Humph,this must be the first time I'm agreeing with Wally. And one person can't gang up,you moron."

Wally stuck his tongue out at him,and said,"And Diana's a hell less up-tight and moody than you guys!"

Hawkgirl said dryly,"I agree. There's too much testosterone here for me to deal with alone. Diana has the patience to handle you mules more than I ever could."

The Atom said,"I didn't know we were such a trial to you, Shyera, but you are right Wonder Woman is invaluable to the team."

Steel smiled."I was wondering why we hadn't got around to this earlier. I'd love to have her back."

Eyes turned to Batman."Bruce?"

He shrugged."I'd say it wasn't up to us. It's up to Diana. If she's back,there must be a reason why she's not on the roster yet."

All eyes turned to Superman. He looked blank."What?Do you want me to say yes?That goes without saying. But as Bruce says,it's her call."

Lantern declared,"Someone needs to ask her then. J'onn?"

"I would if I knew where she was. The JLA transmitter I gave her does not allow me to contact her. It just allows her to call me," the martian replied."She is not officially at the new Embassy. I don't know in what capacity she may be operating."

Flash said impatiently,"Well who does?Someone must know!"

Once more eyes turned to Superman. Steel mused."You saw her,Clark. You must know."

He admitted slowly,"I do but is it right to invade her privacy? Demand her time?Shouldn't she have the right to call us if she wants to come back?"

"Sometimes we need to know we are wanted,"said Hawkgirl abruptly,causing everyone to go silent.

The Manhunter held Superman's eyes."Can you do that for the League?"

He looked around. Even Batman nodded. He sighed."Very well."

Clark Kent stood in the backyard of his parents' home and hammered the planks together for the new shed his father wanted to build to accommodate the two jersey cows he had coveted at the Harvest fair. Pa, getting on in age, had to cut back on his corn and wheat endeavours and wanted to focus on smaller ventures. Martha Kent agreed it would be nice to have one's own milk and cheese etc.

Their son had come visiting on the weekend as usual. Despite going out with Lois, he never neglected his parents. He had to convince them that he had the time to spare and that she was not alone but was visiting her sister Lucy and her new nephew.

He worked assiduously,barely noting his parents watching him from the porch,as he carried a completed wall and fitted it into the frame.

Mrs Kent commented,"He'll finish it today the way he's working."

Mr Kent looked grave."Yeah,no doubt.''

"He's barely said two words to me since he started."

"I think the boy must have a lot on his mind."

She got up and poured a glass of juice."Humph,too much,I'll warrant." She called."Son!"

Clark looked up."Yes,Ma?"

"Come here. Take a break. Have some juice."

"No Ma,I think I'll fin..."

"Clark Kent,I said, COME HERE!" She brokered no opposition.

With a rueful shake of the head,he flew to the porch,took the glass and downed the juice. "Happy?" he wanted to know.

She took the glass and a hold of his arm."No. I want you to sit down for five minutes and speak to your father and I.I know we are only very old but we do have interesting views on the world ,you know."

Clark smiled,kissed her temple and sat on the steps of the porch."I'm sorry. Have I really been so anti-social?"

"Yes,"she said and sat on her rocking chair."So unlike you. Now tell me all the news with you."

He shrugged."Everything is okay. I'm working on a social story on child labour. Lois and I are fine. As you know her sister had a baby..Yup,we're fine."

His mother cut to the chase."I saw Wonder Woman a few days ago on the tv."

Clark scratched his neck."Ah."

"Don't "ah" me. How could you not tell us!How long has she been back?And why haven't you brought her to see us?"

Clark protested,"Ma!"

"What Ma?You may not care a dime whether she is back,having Lois and all,but your Pa and I,well,of all your friends,she was the one we got to know the best. Not even Bruce comes as often as we would like. And knowing her mother was so far away and she had no family,we sort of adopted her... "

Clark observed ironically,"She stayed for only ten days."

"What you see is what you get with Diana,and that was long enough for us..."

Their son had to acknowledge that was a fact. No one was as true to being as what she appeared as Diana. Clark sighed."Ma,it's complicated. Pa,tell her."

Mr Kent shrugged."You know what your mother is like,son. And begging your pardon,what's so complicated about inviting Diana to Smallville?"

"Pa!"He stood up and said, goaded beyond endurance,"Look,it's like this. She's not officially with the League but I have to talk to her about coming back."

"Really?When?"

He looked a bit guilty."Er...later this afternoon I was going to see if I could catch her at the muse..er,if I could catch her..." Until Diana gave him permission he was not about to tell anyone of her secret identity. He could not tell them he had sent a note to her to meet him near at the museum. He did not even know if she would turn up.

Ma said slyly,"Is that why you're working as if the devil was at your tail with a pitch-fork?"

He laughed."You irreverent woman!You got me. Yes. I'm meeting her at four pm."

Pa consulted his watch."Well,it's about noon. Gives you just about three hours to finish that shed,and time to get showered and dressed. So stop dawdling and get to it."

Clark left them to resume his chore. Ma looked at her husband and muttered,"What a fine pickle this is."

Clark Kent arrived at the Museum. He took his place on its steps and waited. He was fifteen minutes early and took the time to watch the people going in and out the building. Since the incident with Circe the museum had received such publicity as to double its attendance. A fine thing for History and the city itself.

Clark was not sure she would come. She had not replied to his note. He made a mental note to introduce her to e-mailing. He was alerted by a vibrating in his jacket pocket. He pulled out his cell phone. It was Lois.

"Hi Smallville."

"Hey Lois. How are you?"

"I'm great. You should see little Sam...he's so adorable. Lucy sends her regards. How's your folks?"

"Great. I helped Pa with the shed today. He wants to buy two cows,you know."

"Right. How ,um, nice. I hope you don't work too hard."

"Well,'' he confessed,"I'm actually finished."

"Really?Where are you now?"

"I'm meeting up with that old friend of mine. You know, the teacher?" He grimaced at the bending of the truth.

"Teacher?Oh,yes,that lady at the museum...She reminded me of a barn owl...those glasses and all that brown. Does she live in Smallville?"

"No,but she's agreed to meet me on middle ground,"he continued evasively.

As he answered Lois' inquiries as honestly as he could without giving Diana's secret away,the very lady in question arrived on the steps of the Museum. She was, as usual ,not in the most flattering of outfits and magic shielded her beauty. She touched his shoulder tentatively.

Clark turned around and saw her. He hurriedly said,"All right,I'll come pick you up. Yeah, me too."

He switched off and explained to Diana."Lois."

Diana nodded understandably,but asked pointedly,"Well,here I am. What is so important that you need to see me?"

He pointed to the museum."Shall we go in?"

She smiled."What?You dare brave in there again?"

"Well,I'm won't be exactly on my own,will I?"

They went in together,headed for the restaurant and ordered two lattes.

He began, once they had gotten their beverages,"Diana, the League wants you back on it's regular roster."

She looked at him seriously."Why?"

He frowned."Why? Isn't it obvious?Your strength and skills are invaluable."

She retorted,"You survived nearly five years without me. And many people have at one time or the other,left the League,even you. You ought to be the last one the League should send."

"I admit, I deserve that." Clark put his cup down and his tone was wry as it was sincere. "And perhaps you are right. But I'm not above saying that I realized that I needed to rejoin;that as a team I have a greater chance to defend this world and effect positive change. Your role in the League has always been a balancing one. Shyera has been complaining that she feels out of her depth,dealing with so many strong-willed,even stubborn men. Mules was her description." He saw Diana's lips twitch.

He continued,"J'onn misses your counsel. Wally feels we gang up on him and that you are the only one who has a heart. Even Bruce feels we are all too soft when it comes to our workouts. He thinks we see it as a game and joke. You know,you took a lead in mentoring the younger ones as well...And no one else has the tact and patience to deal with Orion and Arthur..."

She folded her arms."You've rattled off quite a list...''

"I could go on. Lantern thinks..."

She cut him off abruptly,and asked him bluntly,"What do you think?"

Clark paused and said simply,"Me? I just miss my friend."

Diana felt her throat tighten. She bit her lips and whispered,"I'm not sure,Kal.I don't know if I can balance two lives .I'm not Superman."

He did not know why but hearing her speak his Kryptonian name almost always moved him. Lois never called him by it. He reached out and briefly touched the slender fingers on the table and said earnestly,"No,but you are Wonder Woman. You can't escape that."

"You think Princesses made of clay can make the difference?You think they care what I stand for or what I am here to teach any more than their headlines and gossip columns?"

"Seeing you sacrifice a life of celebrity and privilege in order to understand the very beings you mean to inspire,I believe it more than ever." He let her hand go."No one wants to push you. But we are unanimous. We want you to come back. Think about it. The League will next convene in six days at 1800hrs.I hope to see you there. I've got to head back home. Lois is coming back to Metropolis this evening. Good-bye,Diana."

He got up and left her to digest his words.

The League had assembled in the satellite for their weekly meeting. Those who had teleported or flown in were Batman, Flash,Green Lantern,Superman,Steel,and Hawkgirl. Dr Palmer had sent his apologies. It was ten minutes before the meeting started and the members idled outside before heading to the conference room. Some took the opportunity to have a drink in the galley,others just chatted with the ground staff,whilst the likes of Batman took the opportunity to grumble to J'onn at the Monitor Duty roster.

The Manhunter gestured to the group at five to the hour."Let us go in."

Flash looked at Superman."Nice work,Clark. She's not here."

"Wally, you can't force someone to join,''he began crossly. He felt a curious sense of disappointment.

"Says you. I'd have black mailed her into it. Told her Lantern has some terminal virus or something."

John clouted his head as he walked past."Heard that."

"Ow. Big bully."

They entered the room and everyone but J'onn stopped in their tracks. Sitting in her old place,in uniform,was Wonder Woman.

Wally let out a yelp of pure pleasure and dashed to her to hug her."Diana!Man!It's good to see you!"

She laughed and accepted his hug."Thanks "

John Stewart,Shyera and John Henry Irons looked at J'onn."You knew she was sitting here all along!"

They welcomed their colleague equally warmly. Batman let his hand drop on her shoulder and even he seemed to smile."Good to have you back,Diana."

"Thanks,Bruce."

Flash clapped Superman's shoulder."Sorry about having a go at you,Bud. But you did good. Wow. It's like old times. Diana,who did you miss most?"

"Why you, Wally."

"See?" he strutted like a peacock before the others. He winked at her."And I must say you are as lovely as ever."

Shyera laughed."Sit still,please,Wally,and stop flirting. Really, you're a married man,now. Linda would be ashamed of you."

Diana laughed. She had forgotten how much she liked these people.

Her eyes met Clark's as he sat across from her."Well,Princess,you ready for this?"

She beamed."Yes,Superman,I am."