Forces Aligned

Part Four

The next morning, Clark was dressing for work as he watched the morning news. Air traffic control focused on the traffic on Main Street Bridge where cars lined up in for miles. As the reporter was giving alternate routes, the bridge exploded.

Superman flew out his apartment in a flash. He pressed his ear. "Diana--"

"I saw it. I'm on my way."

Once the smoke cleared on the Main Street Bridge, the cars closest to the explosions were torch. The ones not injured helped the wounded out of their cars. The people heard a loud creaking sound. Many started running to a safer part of the bridge while others put their cars in reversed. The long stretch of concrete of the weakened bridge fell towards the water below. Superman caught the broken bridge on his back and reconnected it. He was using his heat visions to temporary hold the bridge together until construction crews repaired it when a kryptonite beam struck him from behind.

Weakened, Superman loosened his grip on the bridge. People above loss their balanced and cars rolled to the edge. Superman struggled to hold on as his powers continue to dwindle by the kryptonite. Wonder Woman arrived on the scene. She search under the bridge and found the kryptonite beam. She ripped the kryptonite beam from the bridge and crushed it.

While Wonder Woman flew above the bridge and help get the victims to a safer part of the bridge, Superman continued to weld the bridge together.

Afterwards, Superman flew to Wonder Woman. She was checking on a seriously injured victim.

"He needs a doctor immediately and so do the others."

Superman looked around the bridge and spotted what he needed. "We can load the injured ones on the buses and drop them at the hospital," Superman said.

All the severely burned victims and those with other injuries along with volunteers were loaded onto two buses. Despite a loss in power Superman was able to carry one bus and Wonder Woman carried the other to the hospital where a medical team awaited and took the severely injured victims to surgery. Wonder Woman paced outside the burn unit of the hospital where the most severely injured victims were. It was bad enough this person wanted to kill Superman but this person didn't care innocent people were hurt or killed in the process.

A doctor stepped out of the burn unit. "Doctor, how are they?"

"Nine of the victims owe you and Superman their lives. If you two didn't bring them in when you did, they would be dead."

"Doctor, Superman and I brought in ten victims."

The doctor looked grim. "Yes, well, she didn't make. The burns were too severe. We did everything we could."

Wonder Woman nodded. "Thank you." Wonder Woman walked out of the burn unit sadden by the news. When she exit the hospital, Superman was talking to Maggie Sawyer as she got in her car and drove off.

Wonder Woman approached Superman. "One of the burn victims died."

Superman was angered by this news. "That makes twelve. The drivers in the cars around the bomb were DOA. The police and FBI are investigating it. It's all my fault, Diana. Some madman is after me and he kills twelve people in the process. There are countless others injured…." he sighed, frustrated. "I won't let anyone else die because of me, Diana."

Before Wonder Woman could respond, Superman flew off in the sky away. He had to get away and think and flying always helped him. Wonder Woman joined his side. "I know you're angry, Kal," Wonder Woman said. "I am, too. I feel I've failed."

"You didn't fail. It's my fault. I'm the target."

"Because I'm not the target, doesn't mean I do not know how you feel. Not only do I want to protect you, I want to protect the innocent."

As Superman listened to Wonder Woman's words, an idea came to mind. "I have an idea to put an end to this once and for all. Follow me." Superman flew north and Wonder Woman followed.

Half an hour later, Wonder Woman was puzzled why Superman would bring her to the artic. There was nothing here but ice, freezing waters and polar bears.

"I hope you don't mind getting wet," he said.

"I grew up on an island, Kal. You think a little water will bother me?"

"Not even cold water?" Superman asked.

"I'm flying beside you in a swimsuit in sixty degree below weather and I'm not shivering. Cold doesn't bother me."

"All right then." Superman dived in a small lake. Wonder Woman followed him. She wasn't underwater long as she saw light just ahead. She followed Superman out of the water then up some steps. What she saw at the top surprised her.

A large computer station? Exotic animals not of this world? "Where are we?"

"My home," Superman answered. "The Fortress of Solitude."

"Fortress of Solitude?" Wonder Woman looked around at the ice and quietness of the cold room. "Yes, I guess it does have that feeling."

Following Superman another level of steps, Wonder Woman saw a scientific room, filled with all types of scientific equipment, some on Earth and others that look alien.

Superman turned to face Wonder Woman. "I want to set up a trap. During the next attack, I'll let myself get captured."

Wonder Woman wasn't for the idea. "Kal, you can't be serious."

"I won't let anyone else get killed because some manic wants to kill me. I want to know who's behind this. I'll pretend to be unconscious, you wherever I'm being taken and we'll take on my capturers."

"I don't like this, Kal." She didn't like the idea of Superman putting himself in harms way like this.

Superman stared at Wonder Woman seriously. "It's the only way to knowing who's behind this, Diana. I have faith that you will come to me in time."

He was so honorable, putting others before him at the risk of his own life. He was a true warrior. She understood but part of her still didn't want him to do it and yet she admired him all the more for his nobility.

"All right. I'm in."

Superman cupped the side of Diana's face. "Thanks. Let me show you what to do when I'm hit with too much kryptonite."

Superman and Wonder Woman spent an hour at the Fortress of Solitude going over the plan and showing Wonder Woman what to do if he's severely poisoned with kryptonite. Afterwards Wonder Woman flew back to Metropolis and Superman flew home to Smallville. It's been weeks since he's seen his parents and he wanted to talk to his parents about the new things going on in his life.

When Superman arrived home, he was welcomed with hugs and kisses from his parents. He quickly changed out of his uniform into spare clothes he always left at home. Coming down the stairs in jeans and a T-shirt, Clark saw his mother was finishing dinner. "Smells great, Ma."

"Thanks, Clark. Dinner is ready."

Clark sat down and after his father blessed the food, the family began eating. "So, what's been goin' on in Metropolis, son?" Jonathon Kent asked.

"Yes, it's been weeks since we've seen each other," Martha chimed in.

"I'm sorry about that, but I've been busy." Clark told his parents about the attempt on his life and Wonder Woman aiding him. He left out the part about his plan to let himself be captured. His parents were already worried enough.

"That sounds serious, Clark, and you've no idea who hired these Aremid folk? You're certain it's not that Lex Luthor fellow?"

"No, Pa. It's not Luthor. Luthor wants to control me more than kill me and my guts telling me it's not him. After the incident with Darkseid he has more of a grudge against Darkseid than me now. This is a new enemy and it's not a group of enemies pooling their money together as Wonder Woman and I thought. This person is working alone."

"Well, at least you're not alone in this," Martha Kent said gently. "You have Wonder Woman to help you. What is she like anyway?"

Clark noticed that look in his mother's eyes. He's seen it before when his parents met Lois for the first time during their first trip to Metropolis on Father's Day.

"Ma, what's on your mind?"

Martha smiled innocently. "What do you mean, dear?"

"Don't think that, Ma. Wonder Woman and I are friends."

"That's all? It certainly doesn't sound like it," Martha said. "You said Wonder Woman warned you about the attempt on your life and she's keeping an eye on you so it doesn't happen. You're very strong and capable, Clark. I'm sure you can handle this assassin on your own. Maybe its just women's instinct but I think Diana's feelings are more than friendly."

Clark saw no sense denying it his attraction to Diana to his parents. They read him so well. Besides, he was always honest with them and they gave good advice. "I have feelings for Diana but she's confused now. She grew up on an island with warrior women who aren't fond of men to put it lightly. I know there is an attraction but she doesn't understand her feelings and thinks it's wrong."

"Be patient with her, Clark and let her come around," Jonathon advised.

"Or you can show her," Martha suggested. "Sometimes women give men an opening and waits for the man to take the chance."

"Your mother certainly did," Jonathon added.

Clark played with the food on his plate. "I don't think Wonder Woman would give me an opening. I've tried meeting with her after we first met four months ago, but she turned me down every time."

"She's playing hard to get," Jonathon said slyly.

"Wonder Woman isn't like that, Pa."

"She's unsure of her feelings," Martha said wisely. "Be patient with Wonder Woman, Clark and wait for an opening. It could be the simplest thing but if she wants you the way you want her, she'll let you know."

Clark always valued from his parents' honesty and straight forward advice. He hoped they were right and it would help him and his feelings for Diana.