Chapter Six
Kara found herself staring at her cousin in the stasis tube. The glass was frosted from the cold of the interior of the tube. In her eyes he looked as if he was sleep, but she knew that he wasn't asleep. Clark teetered on the edge of life and death. The beating from Doomsday and the beating he gave Doomsday emptied him. She felt tears starting to form.
"Kara, are you okay?" Hal asked, as he slipped into the infirmary.
He decided to pilot Kara and Clark back to earth. It had been years since he used his skills as a pilot and he missed it. Flying with the ring was beyond his imagination, but being a pilot was how he used to define himself.
"Hal, I'm afraid he'll never wake up again," she admitted, as she kept staring at her cousin. "We are here because of me. I wanted to leave earth not him. Clark loves the earth. It's his home."
"It's your home, too, if you want, Kara."
"I don't belong there," she said softly.
"Kara, you're beautiful. You belong wherever you wish to be," he said.
He walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Being Kryptonian he knew that she barely felt his squeeze, but he wanted her to know he was there and trying.
"You've been up for days. Go change out of your armor and get some sleep. When you wake up I'll make you dinner," he said.
"What are you going to make?"
"I saw that there is the ingredients to chili in the stores, so how about a Hal Jordan Chili," he smiled.
"Sure, sounds good," she said then she stood up and looked at him. "You know that you don't have to dress like Green Lantern all the time. It will be at least two and half weeks until we reach home, Hal. Make yourself comfortable."
"I've got nothing to change into," he said.
"Clark has some tee shirts and sweat pants. They'll be big on you, but comfortable."
"Sure, Kara, sounds like a good idea to me," he smiled.
Ceremony of Innocence
Wonder Woman and Steel were transported down to Metropolis where Solomon Grundy and Metallo were in the process of ripping up a bank vault in order to steal the gold inside of it. With Superman gone, Wonder Woman had become the unofficial protector of Metropolis. Protecting his city made her feel close to him even though he was gone.
"Wonder Woman will you need further assistance?" asked J'onn into her earpiece.
"No, J'onn. Steel and I should be able to handle this," she said then she looked at Steel. "You take Metallo and I'll handle Grundy."
"Sounds good to me, a little metal on metal action," he chuckled.
The two Justice Leaguers rushed into the bank. A crowd started to gather as they waited for the action to come into view. A loud explosion-like sound could be heard inside of the bank and suddenly Grundy broke through the remaining wall and landed in the street plowing into parked cars. Wonder Woman flew out of the destroyed bank with her sword in her right hand. A look of fury dominated her face, as Grundy made the mistake of calling Superman a coward and afraid to face Grundy. Grundy slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Amazon coming at him.
"Ahhhh," was his response then he made the mistake of standing up and facing an angry Amazon.
An hour later Steel and Wonder Woman were on the Watchtower readying to write their reports. Diana decided to write hers in the cafeteria where she could get some tea. Entering the cafeteria she noticed Barry Allen and Dick Grayson seated together. Flash was eating a plate of hamburgers and drinking a liter of Root Beer, while Nightwing was having just a cup coffee. Barry waved hello as Diana waled over to get a some tea.
Also, in the cafeteria was Stargirl and Katana. They looked to be sitting drinking a soda while gossiping. Diana took her tablet and tea and walked over to an empty table. She sat down and got to work writing her report.
"Princess Diana, it has been a while," a familiar voice said to her.
Diana looked up to see Steve Trevor standing in front of her. It had been years since she had seen him. Things didn't end well between them. She didn't understand courting, or dating as it was known in the Patriarch world, and Steve thought them to be a serious couple. Diana thought they were friends. He became jealous of Kal and eventually bitter to the point he worked against the League with A.R.G.U.S.
"What are you doing here, Steve?" she asked.
"Amanda Waller is in a meeting with Batman and the Black Canary," he said. "I'm here as some who knows both sides. May I sit down?"
She nodded in the affirmative. He sat down.
"I find it hard to believe that the Justice League would entertain a relationship with A.R.G.U.S," said Steve. "After The Reach Invasion, they thought it a be to be friendly with each other than enemies."
"Well, isn't that convenient?" she said.
Steve heard the venom in her tone. She blamed them for a great deal and he didn't blame her. Mistakes had been made.
"I'm sorry, Diana."
"About what, Steve?"
"Superman," he said quietly.
Diana's nostril flared in anger and her eyes narrowed. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he was frightened of her, especially when she lost her temper.
"I was jealous of him because you loved him, and Amanda Waller and others feared him because he's not from this planet. They didn't understand that he was honorable and good and didn't deserve our fear," explained Steve.
Diana's face softened, as some of the anger melted away.
"Thank you, Steve," she said.
He took a moment to gain some courage before asking her why he really sought her out.
"Diana, I know things have gone badly with us in the past, but I was hoping we could be friends," he said.
"I think that might be possible, Steve."
"As friends I was hoping that you'd like to go to dinner with me. You see I've missed your company," he admitted.
Diana was taken back by this statement. She understood it, though, as she missed Kal's company.
"Yes, Steve, I'll go to dinner with you."
Ceremony of Innocence
Alfred drove the limo with Bruce in the back. He was wearing a black Armani suit, handmade dress shirt, and blue silk tie that matched his dark blue eyes. The limo wound its way through one of the poorer sections of Gotham, stopping in front of an apartment building. Bruce sighed from his spot in the backseat, as a gang of kids were gathered on stoop of Selina's building.
"Shall I retrieve her, sir?" Alfred asked.
"No, I'll get her," answered Bruce.
"Please resist throttling the young man."
Bruce rolled his eyes then exited the limo. He immediately heard the gang's reaction to him.
"Hey, Big Money, you lost?"
"We can help you find your way for a price."
"Pretty Boy, you here to keep up your boyfriend?"
Bruce ignored them and took a few steps towards the front stoop. The gang of boys formed a wall so he couldn't pass.
"No one told you, huh? There is a toll to go up these stairs, Big Money."
"I hope you got plenty of cash."
"Boys, if you want your asses kicked then you keep harassing my date," came the voice of Selina.
She was standing now at the top of the steps wearing a black dress than offered more than a little hint of cleavage and had a slit up the right side of the dress and allowed a good look at a shapely leg. The gang party.
"Just trying to make a buck, Miss Kyle."
"Yeah, yeah, he looked like easy money."
"He's my easy money," purred Selina, as she slunk down the steps.
Bruce looked calm on the outside but on the inside he was roiled. Sometimes having to go out as Bruce Wayne was humiliating, he thought. She made it to the bottom step and he offered her his right arm.
"I hope you're hungry," he said.
"Starved," she said then moved close to him, got on her tiptoes, and whispered, "for you."
"Let's have dinner, Selina," said Bruce.
He helped her into the limo then went around the other side and got into the Limo.
"Hello, Al," she teased Alfred, knowing he hated being called Al.
"Alfred, Puccini's," said Bruce.
"Italian food. I love Italian food," said Selina.
"I know," Bruce said in a voice that sounded more like Batman than Bruce Wayne.
"Are you really ready to have the paparazzi take pictures of me with you, Bruce?" asked Selina.
"I asked you out on this date, didn't I?"
"Actually, Al called me up and told me that you were picking me up 8 and that I should dress on the upscale," she smiled.
Bruce sighed.
"I would have called myself but I got home late from dealing with Killer Croc," he said.
"Mister Wayne was in the hyperbaric chamber hastening the healing of his injuries," added Alfred.
Selina's eyes narrow. She slid closer to Bruce.
"What injuries?"
"I'm fine."
"Three broken ribs and a bruised spine," Alfred told her.
She reached over and applied pressure on the left ribcage. He groaned slightly from the pain.
"You should be home in bed," she stated.
"I'm fine."
"No, you aren't. You need rest and treatment," growled Selina. "Al, cancel Puccini's and take us to Wayne Mansion. I'll make sure he gets some rest tonight."
"I said I'm fine," Bruce snapped.
"Shut up, Bruce. I'm in charge tonight," Selina retorted.
"Miss Selina," Alfred spoke.
"Yes."
"You may call me Al whenever you wish."
Ceremony of Innocence
Hal fell into the habit of cooking for him and Kara. Today, he made spaghetti and meatballs. He knew he wasn't a great cook, so he expected a dew complaints, some ribbing even, but all he got was thank yous. Kara was becoming more and more reticent as the days past. He had to do something about it. Dinner was ready.
"Kara," he yelled, "dinner."
A second later she blurred into the mess and sat down. He served her and himself up generous plates of spaghetti and meatballs then sat down at the table with her. She started to eat not even looking up at her. He had enough. With his ring, he formed a hand construct, which he used to gently raise her face to look at him.
"Kara, stop blaming yourself for what happened to Clark. He wouldn't let anyone else take Doomsday down buy him. That is who he is," said Hal.
"I know," she said in a whisper. "If Clark dies then I'm alone."
Hal replaced the construct hand with his own hand. She looked into Hal's eyes.
"You are not alone and you will never be alone. You are Supergirl and she has friends. One of those friends is this Green Lantern," he said.
"Thank you, Hal," she replied.
They went about eating their meal in quiet now. Hal played with a meatball, as Kara ate heartily.
"Hal, can I ask you a personal question?"
with a great deal of reluctance, he answered, "Ask away."
"If I'm going to make earth my home, I need to know that I can be with a man and not be afraid of crushing him," she said.
"Wooah, Kara. I don't want to know where this is going."
"Do you find me attractive?"
"How old are you?"
"Twenty."
"That old," he blushed. "Um, yes, I find you attractive, Kara. I'm who wouldn't. Your armor, I mean, shows off your body, which is... what the hell am I doing?"
"Answering a question for me," she smiled.
"Yeah, answering a question for you," he sighed.
"So, if you wanted to have sex with me and took precautions so that I didn't crush you and, you know, I felt it," she said then blushed.
"Jesus," he exhaled. "Kara, um...I think this is above my pay grade. I mean... wait...Clark did tell Barry once how he handle it."
"Barry asked him. Why?"
"He was curious and we were sitting around the cafeteria having pizza," replied Hal.
"What did he say?" she demanded.
"He has a small, small piece of Kryptonite. He said that he'd place it in between the box spring and the mattress and it would weaken him enough so that who he had sex with was safe and he felt it," Hal told her. "I think that's how he lost his che... lost his virginity with Lana."
Kara smiled. She stood up, grabbed Hal by his face pulling him out of his chair, and kissed him deeply and for longer than he was comfortable with then she let him go.
"Hal, you are my favorite Green Lantern," she said then blurred out of the mess.
Hal sat back in his chair and shook his head.
"Ten more days, I'm a dead man. I kissed Clark's cousin. When he recovers he'll kill me," he said then looked at his ring. "You'll be needed a new bearer soon. When you choose, choose well."
Ceremony of Innocence
It was a gray afternoon. Summer was fading away and fall was settling in over Gotham. Even though rain was expected in the afternoon, Bruce pulled up in front of Selina's apartment in a 1984 Pinninfarina Spider. He beeped the horn and waited for Selina to join him. It took no more than ten minutes for her to exit her apartment building. She was dressed in jeans, a body hugging white tee shirt, and black leather biker's jacket.
Sliding into the passenger seat, she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"So why did you call me and demand that I come out to play with you this afternoon?" she asked.
"You'll see."
He pulled away and drove off leaving her neighborhood behind. It didn't take long for him to get to one of the many buildings that Wayne Industries owned. This one was a deluxe apartment building. He parked in the garage and they took a private elevator to the penthouse apartment. When the doors opened he stepped off the elevator and invited her to join him.
"What's this place?" she asked.
"My city apartment for night's I don't want back to the mansion, he answered.
"Really, nice place," she said.
Selina walked around the large living room area touching furniture and getting used to the place. Bruce reached into his pocket and tossed her a key card. She caught it.
"And what is this?" she asked.
"The key to get into this apartment. I want you to move in," he said.
Her eyes narrowed and he could see she was about to get angry. Bruce jumped into action.
"Listen before you overreact," he said.
"I'm listening."
"I barely stay here. It's not used much and... I know that you are not ready to move into the mansion. I thought we'd use this as a baby step to see if can spend quality time with each other and not try to kill each other," he explained.
"So, what you are saying is that you want us to see if we can live with each other, but not really, right?" she asked.
"I don't want to ruin this between us, so I thought we needed a process, steps that need to be taken. This would be the first step," he said. "Don't worry you can keep your apartment if you want."
"That dump," she smiled, "when can I move in?"
Bruce smiled, "Whenever you want."
Ceremony of Innocence
Not wanting much attention Diana suggested that Steve and her have dinner at the embassy. The meal served was Greek in influence, as it consisted of a Greek salad, lamb, pilaf, lamb and okra, and for dessert baklava. The meal was served by two Amazons, who were acting as interns at the embassy. Mala, who acted as Diana's chief of staff, had arranged for the evening.
Since it was a cool September evening they had the dinner on the balcony. Steve showed up wearing a suit. His heart stopped, though, when he saw Diana. She wore a sky blue chiton with her ever present bracelets and tiara. In his eyes she was a goddess.
They sat and enjoyed the dinner. The talk avoided all subjects that would cause friction, so Amanda Waller was never mentioned and A.R.G.U.S barely mentioned. Steve allowed Diana to catch him up on her life. Greek coffee was served with the dessert.
"This has been one of the most enjoyable evenings I've had in a long time," said Steve.
"It has been nice," smiled Diana.
"I'd like to do this again," said Steve.
"I don't think I would mind that, Steve."
Before Steve could say anything else, Mala came storming onto the balcony. She appeared troubled.
"What is it, Mala?" asked Diana.
"Your Justice Leaguer comm, Princess. I answered as instructed. It is of paramount importance that you contact J'onn," she said.
"Get me my comm," she ordered.
Mala had it in her hand. It was a wrist comm, small but powerful. The technology was Kryptonian. Mala handed it to Diana, who put the thin gold comm on her right wrist where it rested just in front of her silver bracelet. She pressed the button on it and was connected to the monitor room.
"J'onn speaking."
"It is Diana."
"Good, Diana. Hal Jordan has arrived. He came with guests, Kara and Kal-El."
"Kal is back. Can I speak to him?"
"No, Diana. He is in the infirmary. He is in a coma, Diana. They are working on reviving him."
"Transport me up now, J'onn."
"Yes, Diana."
Diana stood up and cleared away from everyone. She didn't say a word but waited until the familiar feeling of the transporter starting to tingle her skin. Steve and Mala watched her disappear. He knew that he once again lost her to Superman.
She materialized in the transporter pad. No one dared to speak to her, as Diana strode off the pad and headed to the infirmary. Everyone gave her a clear birth until she entered the infirmary. Lying there on a medical bed with Mister Terrific and Scott Free checking on Clark's vitals, while Kara and Hal looked on. Kara looked over at Diana.
"What happened?" Diana requested.
"He fought one of the most powerful creatures in the universe. It's name is Doomsday and it destroyed worlds and killed planets full of innocent people."
"Did he stop him?" asked Diana.
"Yes," answered Hal.
At least, he had stopped the creature. She took pride in thinking that at least he had protected people. Diana then looked at Kara. She had tears in her eyes.
"They don't know how to get him out of the coma, Diana. He just won't wake up," said Kara.
"Come here, sister," she said.
Diana opened her arms and Kara rushed into them. She held Kara and her own eyes began to burn with tears. Looking at Kal lying on the table she knew what she had to do.
"Hal, please tell J'onn I need to contact Themyscira. If my mother agrees, we will take him there for treatment," she stated.
I got one more update in before my internet goes down for a few days. Hope you enjoy it.