TRYING TO FORGET

CHAPTER 10

Diana Prince was picked up in Adam Butler's white Porsche,at six pm and driven to an airfield two miles away. A sleek private jet awaited them. Diana gave her date a queer look.

"I thought we were going to your favourite restaurant?"

He smiled and led her up the steps."We are. It's just on another continent. I hope you don't mind flying."

Diana had to school her face to look surprised and fascinated."Can we count economy on American Airlines?"

He laughed."I'll let you be the judge."

They were welcomed by the small crew and after being made comfortable,the pilot took off for a destination Adam was intent on keeping secret.

"You'll see," was all he would say.

The stewardess came around to offer champagne and caviar. Diana looked at her host apologetically."Sorry. I don't drink."

Adam held his head."Of course,you told me last week. My memory is reprehensible. How about a non-alcoholic cocktail?The steward can do you a fresh daiquiri or colada."

Diana opted for a strawberry daiquiri.

He sipped his champagne."You are very temperate sort of a woman,aren't you?"

She smiled."Some may find that boring."

"On the contrary,I find it refreshing. It's difficult to find someone who isn't swayed by the glitz and glamour of my life. I try,for Sophy's sake,to keep things as normal as possible......"

Diana gestured to her surroundings."Forgive me,but this isn't exactly an everyday occurrence."

He smiled."I only do this sort of showing off when I'm trying to impress someone."

She looked at him curiously."Why are you so keen on dating me?I mean,when you could date movie stars or models or heiresses?"

He replied,"I've done all that and believe me,it leaves a lot to be desired. I guess you remind me a bit of Sophy's mom. She died when Sophy was a baby,when I was only starting out at this venture,and a normal joe. We were childhood sweethearts. She, too, was a teacher. Sophy would come home everyday and go on about Miss Prince and showed a love for Literature and the classics,just like Jenny. When I met you that day and I heard of your bravery,I got curious. You didn't even seem overwhelmed by me,nor keen to impress me. You are one of the few women that don't act coy and simper around me. And that's so refreshing."

Diana was on the verge of replying that she knew what he meant,but bit her tongue and said,"That's very flattering,Adam."

"Well,it's the truth. Since last week,I wanted to see you again,but you can be an elusive customer."

"And you're a very persuasive one."

He clinked her glass with his."Let's hope after tonight I won't have to beg you to go out with me. Cheers."

****************

The plane landed near the city of city of Paris. They were picked up in a limousine that drove them to the Eiffel Tower. There was a restaurant at the top and Adam was taking her to dine there.

Diana looked around as they stepped out of the lift."But it must be near midnight. Will they even be open?"

"Don't worry. They'll take our orders."

True enough,the hostess welcomed them with a warm smile and beckoned them to Monsieur's very own table that had a spectacular view of the city.

Diana looked impressed at the menu but winced at the prices."Hera,this is expensive!"

Adam looked up."What did you say?"

She said quickly,"It's just a native expression ."

"Ah yes,you are not American born are you?"

"No. I have Greek ancestry. What would you recommend?"

"How about the pate de foie gras,the celery and chicken consomme to start;then quail with wild rice and braised vegetables;and for dessert,the lemon souffle?"

Diana put down her menu."Sounds marvellous."

Adam ordered for them and whilst they waited,he asked her more about her life. It was a little discomforting lying to him. She was so used to speaking honestly and candidly,that she stammered a bit. She hoped to Gaea she would remember all that she made up as she went along. How ever her League friends did this so flawlessly,she would never know! Adam himself read nothing into it. He took it for her own shyness and natural reserve.

One thing she did learn was how much he adored his daughter. Currently,she was being looked after by his mother and father-in-law.

"They tend to spoil her something rotten,"he said."But she's all they have,since Jenny died."

"And your parents?"

"Mother died of cancer years ago. Father's living out his life in the Californian sunshine near my older brother. He's a lawyer. Ah,here comes our appertifs."

Dinner was finished near two in the morning. But Adam had no immediate desire to fly out."It's such a mild night,let's take a walk down below. There's always something going on. Street entertainers, artists,tourists miling about......"

Because of the cold weather in Boston,they had both come prepared with their coats. Paris' winter had been mild so far and it made walking a pleasant pastime. The pair were soon strolling about,stopping to watch the mimes or to see the various caricatures. Adam eventually dragged her to a small cafe near the Seine,where they sat near a window and had coffee.

"I hope you're having a good time,"he remarked.

She replied,"I don't think anyone could complain about tonight .It has been perfect."

"No,it's lacking one thing to make it perfect."

"What?"

"This."He reached out,drew her chin to his and kissed her on the lips. Diana hesitated at first,then threw caution to the wind and kissed him back. It was an exploratory kiss .It didn't send her head spinning nor make her heart race;but it was comforting and rather sweet. She drew away after a minute with an awkward laugh."Goodness. I need to catch my breath."

Adam looked at her with a smile."It's late. We should go."

They had barely put foot out the door,when the sound of a large explosion made the cafe shake and the glass panes shatter. The half dozen customers screamed and Diana looked across the Eiffel Tower. There had been an explosion in the square. Something appeared to be on fire and she could see that a fighter jet had crashed and was burning out of control just beneath the structure.

Adam blinked."I'm not seeing right. Is that an F-16?"

She began to hurry towards it." It is. People must be hurt. How did it fall out of the sky?"

Adam cried,"Don't go near there!We don't know what the situation is. There could be more explosions."

But she ignored his entreaty and was running towards the blazing wreck. He could already hear the sound of sirens in the distance. People were also running away from the scene in fear. She was soon lost to him in the sea of panicking tourists.

Diana gasped and saw the burning fighter jet with what appeared to be a broken tail. Fuel was leaking out from the tank and the pilot was clearly still alive and struggling to get out of the cockpit.

She was about to go forward,when a breathe of icy wind blew the flames out and she heard the tearing off metal as someone ripped the aircraft open from the roof and pulled out the

bleeding pilot.

As figure appeared out of the shadows,Diana's heart gave a bound of surprise. It was Superman!He gently put the man down and turned to see her standing a few yards from him.

"What are you doing here?"they both blurted out at once.

"I'm working,"he gestured to the plane."You?"

"I..."

Before she could reply,another familiar voice sounded as a red figure dashed in."Hey,Supes,you seen him?"

Diana gasped,"Flash?!"

Flash looked at her kindly,but without a hint of recognition."Yes,it's me,but really ma'am,you need to move back. A creature is up there and he'll be tearing in at any minute. Ah damn,here he comes!"

Diana looked up to see the genetically engineered monstrosity known as Doomsday appear on the horizon. She gasped,"How did he escape the Phantom Zone?"

But the Flash had already sped away to get the bystanders to safety.

Superman was about to take off. Diana reached out to grasp his sleeve."I can help..."

He looked at her and was about to say something when Adam appeared,looking confused and disheveled. "Diana!What do you think you're doing?It's dangerous to be out here. Leave the League to deal with this ...Come on..."

Superman watched Adam try to capture her attention by yanking at her coat. Diana did not seem to notice but Superman spoke up."Yes,Miss,please go. We can handle this."

Diana looked at Superman impatiently."I can help..."

Adam uttered,"Have you got some delusional idea that you are Wonder Woman or something?Come on,let the man do his job!"

Superman gently pushed her back into Adam's arms."Take your girlfriend out of here,Sir. She's in the way."

Diana felt her colour rise and,before she could utter a word of protest, found herself being dragged away. She looked back to see Doomsday power in at Superman. The Man of Steel anticipated and caught him by the scruff of the neck and hurled him like a discus into the Seine. Doomsday emerge out of the Seine and move in to clobber Superman with a large granite column. Superman tumbled into a wall and shattered it. He got up and he and Doomsday crashed in the air. It was like a sonic boom and it made the Eiffel Tower shake.

Adam grunted, as they took cover under a nearby bridge,"Can't a man have a quiet evening without someone with a grudge wrestling with Superman or Batman?!"

Diana winced as she watched them tumble in the air. She was only too well aware that she had saved a badly bruised and exhausted Superman the last time he fought with the creature.

He continued,"It's not like I'm ungrateful or anything but sometimes I feel having heroes around just breeds madmen."

She turned sharply at that. Her normally gentle voice was filmed with ice."That's cynical,Adam, and unfair. Superman and the Flash are out there risking their lives for us!Gods!"She winced as she saw Superman get hit with a truck. He in turn tore a post out of the ground and retaliated with it. Doomsday crashed into several trees.

Adam looked about."Maybe we can make a dash for it...There doesn't seem to be much destruction on the south side. If I call the chauffeur to meet us...He was driving around killing time..."He took out his cell phone.

Diana shook her head."No. It's not safe. That creature is dangerous. We can't leave until we are sure he's contained..."She couldn't really tell him that she needed to remain close just in case Wonder Woman was needed. She dug her nails into her palm as she saw Superman go down and struggle to rise to his feet.

Flash's red strobes could be seen dashing in and out,securing civilians,and moving back the emergency services to a safe perimeter .Police were of little use in a scenario between two battling titans. Diana rose at once. She had waited long enough. She turned to Adam,who was on his phone,and using her knowledge of pressure points,pressed a spot at his neck. He passed out.

She twirled and changed into her Wonder Woman's uniform. She looked at his comatosed form."Sorry,Adam,but my colleagues need me."

Superman was exchanging blows with Doomsday. The creature grasped his throat and salivated."Do you know what you did to me?Do you know what it is like to live in limbo?I will make you feel my pain yet!"

He punched the chiseled jaw over and over. Superman was actually beginning to bruise. Diana flew at them. She grasped Doomsday from behind. "Cease,Behemoth!"

Doomsday roared as he felt her try to get her lasso about him. But to her bewilderment,the lasso didn't work. The creature tore it off himself and charged at her. Before he could smash his fist into her,a hand grabbed his own and Diana could hear bones protesting. Doomsday's arm was bent back by Superman and he blew freezing winds upon him. He was encased in ice.

Superman grasped an upturned car for support. Diana flew to him and tried to offer him her shoulder for support. He pushed her off. "Get back,Diana."

She looked bewildered."You're hurt."

"It's more than what he'll do to you. Go and help Flash if you must remain."

"But you can't do this alone."

"I can't do this if I have to worry about civilians getting hurt. Doomsday deliberately chose a populated area to fight this time."

"But he can't take on both of us at once..."

"Your lasso can't work on something that has no soul. No conscience. Now move back. The ice will not keep him contained long!"

Diana was about to refuse,when Superman grabbed her and to her utter astonishment and rage,flung her into the air. She tumbled half mile away.

"Damn you,Kal!" she cried,knowing full well he could hear her."You'll pay for that!"

She had no intention of obeying him. She was going to go in when she heard the roar of engines and looked up in the sky to see the Batman's own sleek craft appear,with an accompanying entourage of two Green Lanterns.

She gasped in relief. She flew up towards them."What in Zeus' name took you so long?"

John Stewart looked at her in some surprise."Oh,hey,Diana.I thought it was your day off?"

Hal Jordan shouted,"Come on,John,we have no time for small talk."

They went to Superman's aid. They surrounded the creature who was smashing his way out of the ice casing. The two power rings ,one after the other,belted the creature with large gavels.

Batman's voice was heard over Diana's transmitter."Diana,you need to help Wally."

"But..."

"Diana. there are frightened people down there,who need to know everything will be alright."

Reluctantly she went on damage control,and rescue. Wally was delighted to see her. As she flew people to safety,she saw the Batplane join the Lanterns in forcing the creature into a defensive position. Superman,bruised and bleeding,joined them. Doomsday found himself surrounded;he was weakening from the combined force of the League. He was blocked by Batman's lasers,the two Lanterns' energy shields,and the Man of Steel hovering himself over him.

"You're surrounded. Surrender," said Superman

Dommsday screeched,"I'll never go back there. You'll have to kill me first."

He launched himself at Superman. Batman shouted."Clark!Look out!"

With what energy he had left,Superman used his heat vision. Doomsday felt the fire burn his flesh and he fell to his knees as the Man of Steel's laser completely severed his right hand. He howled in pain like a wounded animal.

Batman shouted."John!Hal!Now!"

The two Lanterns used their rings to create a combined forcefield about him. They lifted him and were soon taking him up into the clouds.

Diana looked at Flash."Where are they taking him?"

"This time we've decided to enlist the aid of Mr Miracle. Scott can create traps that few beings can escape. They'll be taking him to New Genesis."

She let out a sigh of relief."Thanks the gods."She looked around at the mess created from the fight. It was a miracle the Eiffel Tower was still standing. There was going to be a lot of cleaning up for the League. She saw the Batplane land on a clear piece of road. Batman met her as they went to look for Superman.

They found him,looking a bit worse for wear,his uniform torn,face bruised and bleeding in places. He was trying to clear up rubble.

Batman put his gloved hand on his shoulder."Clark,you need medical attention."

He shrugged him off."I'll be fine."

Diana offered."I'll help...At least sit this out until you heal."

He barely looked at her as he welded parts of the Tower's base that had suffered breakage."Haven't you a date to get back to?"

Batman looked at her."A date?"

She tried not to look self-conscious."Er,yeah."

"Well,you can go back State side. We can manage here."

"Um,no,he's here."

"Here?"

"Yes...he...I had to get him out of the way to change..."She found herself flushing.

"Well,then,I'd go back before he wakes up and asks too many awkward questions,"recommended Batman.

She turned slowly and departed,leaving the Dark Knight to watch the Man of Steel as he worked.

"Who is this date?"

Superman blew out the burning flames from a pile up of cars with his super-breath."Who is Adam Butler."

"The architect?"

"Don't pretend you don't know,Bruce."

"You okay with that?"

Superman turned to meet his gaze and asked abruptly,"Are you?"

Batman said bluntly,"You need to stop using me as the excuse for your own inability to act. You'll wake up one day and find yourself full of regret."

Superman came up to him. His eyes looked directly into the hooded ones."Is that what you feel?Regret?"

"I can't regret what was never really my destiny in the first place,"he retorted and turned to speak to the armed personnel now coming in.

***************

"Adam,are you okay?"

Adam Butler opened his eyes to find himself lying back against the squabs of the limousine and Diana Prince cooling his brow with a makeshift ice-pack. He blinked and sat up abruptly."Where are we?!What happened?"

He pushed the ice away and looked about. The chauffeur was driving them to the airfield. Paris was two miles behind them.

Diana explained kindly,"You fainted."

"I what?I've never fainted in my life...How ?"

"It's okay. The situation was very frightening .Thank god for the Justice League. They captured and contained the creature. There were no human casualties but quite a bit of infrastructural damage."

"How did we get here?"

"The Flash helped me. I used your phone to contact our driver and have informed the pilot that we're coming in for take-off."

He gave her an appraising look."You certainly have things under control."

She shrugged."Being a school teacher makes one good at organization."

He grimaced."I guess it does. Well,I can't wait to get home and far from this madness."

They arrived in Boston before sunrise. Diana was dropped off at the old fashioned, three-storey townhouse,now converted into apartments for rent. Adam would have walked her up to the top floor,but she shook her head."It's been a long night. I'll be fine."

"I'm sorry,"he said.

"What for?"

"I wanted it to be perfect."

"Adam,I had a good time. Really."

"I know you're saying it out of good manners. Next time we go somewhere,it'll have to be on some desert isle in the Pacific. Surely the League wouldn't show up there!"

She said seriously,"Adam,Paris was spectacular but a stroll in a park would have done me fine."

He looked genuinely surprised."Really?"

"Yes,really."He could not know that she was born privileged and there was little in the world that she hadn't done or seen as a royal princess or as Wonder Woman.

"You're a unique woman,you know that?It's not every woman that would rather sit on a bench than on white sands. Goodnight Diana."

She kissed his cheek. It didn't, after what they had just experienced,seemed right to do otherwise."Thank you, Adam. Goodnight."

"I'll call you!" he said as he walked back to the car.

She waved and went in.

Upon arriving in her top floor apartment,Diana instantly kicked off her shoes,and dropped her coat on its hook .She took the glasses off and shook her hair down from its confining pins. The sun was up and the day was a bright and cold. It was Sunday .She could have gone to bed but she wasn't tired. She flicked on the television and saw pictures of Paris on half a dozen stations.

Seeing the hazy cell phone footage of the Superman/Doomsday battle and all the wild speculations and commentaries by reporters made her switch off at once. She sighed. If things had been different she would not be wondering if Superman was alright. She would know. She tried to focus on Adam Butler. Here was someone who liked Diana Prince;but was very circumspect of meta-humans. How ironic life was. Was there anyone out there who could care for her for what she was?Not that she was a princess or a super-heroine;or that she was beautiful or plain;or an amazon or shy school teacher!

Diana crushed the remote unconsciously. She gasped contritely,looking at the mashed bits of plastic and circuitry."Hera,forgive me,for dwelling on myself."

She threw the damaged remote in the bin in the small kitchen. She went to the sink to check her Chinese Bamboo on the sill. She then went to the terrace doors and opened them. The crisp,icy morning air was a panacea to her. She breathed it in with a sigh of relief. Her terrace was big enough for a small table and two chairs and a series of troughs and pots for her plants. Snow covered the tops of everything. It tingled her bare feet. She reached up to the small bird feeder suspended from the awning to check to see if there was remaining seed for the robin that visited daily. A breeze fluttered the hems of her blue dress and blew tendrils of her hair in her eyes.

She turned. She whispered,"Kal?"

Her eyes looked to the skies and scanned in vain. She saw nothing.

A tiny sigh escaped her lips as she shook her head and slowly went back inside,all the while gazing back, sure that she felt him near.

Superman hovered high above,beyond the clouds. He had stopped on route and his eyes had searched her out. The sun had healed him. He was once more mighty and powerful,a god come to earth. Yet for the first time in years he felt his vulnerability. It wasn't in the memory of being pounded by Doomsday. Or being mind-controlled by Brainiac. Or enchanted by Circe. Not even knowing Lex was searching out for any form of Kryptonite he could lay his hands upon.

It stood in a blue dress,raven hair blowing,looking up with an expression of such hope that he knew he would not have been able to go down and pretend it was to say hi and chat like old times. He remembered Lois. And Adam Butler. He flew onwards.