Forces Aligned

Part Three

As soon as Clark got home, he showered, put on cologne and dressed himself in jeans, a white shirt and black blazer. Clark thought about bringing flowers, but Diana said it was business so he ditched the flowers. Besides he wasn't sure if Diana was that type of woman to accept flowers.

Clark left the apartment by six thirty. He was making good time when he heard on the radio about a chemical explosion. Clark grumbled, got off the freeway, parked his car in the alley and changed into Superman. Superman flew to the explosion. He put the fire out and helped the people trapped inside. When it looked like the citizens could handle it, he took off.

"The life of a superhero," Clark murmured as he arrived at Diana's hotel forty-five minutes late. Clark didn't bother waiting for the elevator and took the stairs.

Seconds later, Diana greeted him at her door with a warm smile. "Hello, Kal."

Her smile, Clark realized, made the delay worthwhile. Diana dressed in a dark business suit. She was wearing her glasses and her hair in a tight bun. "Sorry I'm late. There was an--"

"I know. I saw it on the news," Diana finished for him. She closed her door after Clark entered, removed her glasses and took her hair out of its bun. She shook her head allowing her wavy hair to fall easily down her shoulders. "I would've helped you but I'm trying to lay low."

Clark stared lost in Diana's beauty. It amazed him how freeing her hair, made Diana look even more sensual. He shook his mind free of those thoughts and concentrated on what Diana said. "Why are you laying low?"

"I'll explain in the minute. In the mean time, could you check the room? I did it myself but you have better eyes than me."

"Sure." Clark removed his glasses and scanned the room for bugs. He couldn't blame Diana for being too careful. They both had secrets to protect. "All clear."

"Good," Diana said as the two sat at the table laden with food. "The foods a little cold."

"I'll take care of that," Clark said and reheated the food with his heat vision.

Diana stared at him in awe. Their eyes made contact but Diana quickly looked away at the food. "It's amazing to see you do that. Shall we? The reason I came--"

"No," Clark interrupted.

"You don't want me to tell you why I'm here?" Diana asked puzzled.

"I do," Clark said and smiled boyishly. "But you don't have to rush in it now. Let's catch up and talk about what we've been doing since we last saw each other."

Diana locked eyes with Clark again, her heart racing. "I'd like that."

As they ate, they talked with what was going on in their lives, some close calls they had, stories they heard about each other on the news. When dinner was finished, Diana began telling Clark of her latest mission. She wasn't going to put it off any longer. "So, Simmons tells me the President isn't the intended target."

"Who is?" Clark asked intrigue by the case.

Diana hands Clark a yellow envelop. "I think you'll find this interesting."

Clark opened the envelop. He looked at the picture then back at Diana. "Is this a joke?"

Diana shook her head. "No. He's very serious that is the target and I believe him."

"But it's me," Clark said placing a photo of him as Superman on the table.

"I know. I questioned Simmons about the Aremid. They are very serious about taking you out, Kal. Simmons told me they have plenty of kryptonite in storage in an array of weapons and are being paid a hefty price."

"Mercenaries, huh," Clark said rubbing his chin. "I have a long list of enemies, Diana."

"I know, but whoever wants you out have money and plenty of it. Aremid's mercenary fees starts at a million dollars but for you, Simmons said the price on your head is one billion."

Clark was taken back. "Whoa. That's a lot of money. The only person I know with that kind of money is Luthor, but ever since the incident with Darkseid, he's kept a low profile."

"He was the first person I thought of too, but it could be someone else you don't know or a group of your enemies who put their money together to take you out," Diana explained.

"That's possible," Clark mused. "But a billion dollars?"

Diana shrugged. "In the meantime, you need to keep up your guard. Accidents may happen just to lure you out," Diana informed and Clark nodded. "And until the person or persons behind this are caught, I'm going to keep an eye on you."

Clark nearly burst out laughing. It's not everyday someone says they will protect him--Superman--but he spoke calmly when he said. "So, are you going to be my bodyguard?"

Was he flirting with her? Diana wasn't sure. "I'll let you deal with any emergencies in the city but if you're in trouble, I'll come for you." Diana pulled a small comlink from her pocket. "This will allow us to keep in contact with each other." She leaned across the table and put it in Clark's ear. "If you need me, just press it. I'll hear what's going on and I'll come."

"I will," Clark said locking his eyes with Diana's. "Thank you."

Diana caught the look in Clark's eyes and pulled away almost too quickly. She sat back in her seat, her heart racing again. She should end this before she said something she regret. "So, that's all. I'm sure you have other things to do."

"I haven't been on patrol tonight," Clark said suddenly. "Would you like to come with me?"

She smiled in spite of herself. "Kal, I'm not to be seen in the city, remember?"

"Chances are the person behind this is aware Simmons escaped with your help. They would also know you told me what's going on. So, it wouldn't matter if you're flying with me," Clark easily surmised.

In her study of men, Diana was aware Clark was using this as an excuse to spend time with her. Tempting as it was to soar in the skies with him again, Diana declined. "Clever deduction but I intend to play it safe. The person behind this might know the government is aware of the assassination plot on you but won't do anything about it because it's not possible to take out the Man of Steel."

Clark frowned. "Why do I get the feeling you're not making this up?"

Diana shook her head, her disappointment at the CIA evident. "No. My boss thought it was ludicrous that someone wants you dead and could get away with it. So, they sent me." She rose from her seat and looked out at window. "It's my first field assignment and I'm alone on this one."

"You're not alone," Clark said coming to Diana's side. "You have me. We'll find out who's after me and we'll take them out together."

"Of course, we will," Diana said and stepped away, keeping a safe distance from Clark.

Clark could tell when he was being pushed away but Clark knew something else was going on with Diana. He was more aware of Diana's feelings more than she and decided to call Diana out on it. "Before I leave, there is something I want to talk to you about, Diana. Why have you avoid been meeting me?"

Diana whirled around to look at him, puzzled. "Excuse me?"

"Every time I wanted to get together, you always turned me down. Why?"

Diana brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, her eyes wavering slightly. "I-I've been busy."

She was nervous all right but Clark wasn't going to back down. "I'm busy, too, but you know I'll make time for you. Always." He closed the space between them, staring into her sea blue eyes. "Diana, I get the feeling you've been avoiding me. All that time in four months and you couldn't find one day to see me? Not even for a few hours? Even when I offered to fly down to Washington to see you, you said no. Why?"

Diana turned away from Clark, her heart racing and heat rising in her cheeks. She worried this would happen if she saw Clark again. "I was busy." It was a weak excuse but that's all she had. She had to think of something better to say.

"I've thought about you a lot these last few months," Clark confessed. "Did you think about me at all?"

Diana heard the despair in his voice. She looked at him, seeing the sadness in his eyes. Was this a male trick? Pretending to be hurt to get a response from a woman? Diana witnessed other men do this but she didn't think Clark would be capable of that. He was different. His morality and nobleness challenge her Amazonian beliefs of men. So much so the words slip out before Diana could stop it. "I did think about you… a lot more than I should."

"Why do you say that?"

Diana felt she could be honest with Clark but shouldn't because he was a man. "I don't know how to explain this."

"Try," Clark said gently. "If you're confused, I can help you because I've gone through it myself." Clark took Diana's hand and squeezed it gently in his.

Diana smiled. She liked the feeling it gave her when she held Clark's hand. As she gaze in his eyes again, she saw honesty in them not deception. It was enough for her to confess her feelings. "When I'm with you, Kal, I have all these feelings I've never had before. It's exciting. I don't feel so alone in this world when I'm with you but it's wrong to have these feelings."

"Why's that?"

"Because of my upbringing, Kal. As Princess of Themyscira, it's my duty to follow the rules of the island but being in this world, I'm seeing all men don't sought to abuse and degrade women, they all don't hate or are evil barbarians. There are good, noble men like you."

"There's nothing wrong with your feelings, Diana. It's normal."

"It's poison. It's contradicting all what I've been taught. My mother once told me to live among humans but don't be like them or I would fall under their influences."

"Diana, what you're experiencing is normal. You don't know it because you've been on an island cut off from the rest of the world while the world has changed and grew around you."

It hadn't occurred to her that her Amazonian ideals could be wrong or in need of change. Not after it's been all she knew and what made her the woman she is today.

Diana pulled her hand from Clark's abruptly. "I need more time to decipher these feelings."

One thing Clark was told from his parents were not to push a woman, especially a woman who could smash him with a car. "I understand. I should be going. I'll keep a watch out for the Aremid." He gave her a lopsided grin. "But maybe during this, we can fine some free time and have lunch together."

"Maybe," Diana said.

Clark left the room. Never once had Diana question her Amazonian teachings but now she was wondering if perhaps they were wrong and the feelings she was having for Clark were right.