First Step

New York

His words seemed to hang in the air between them.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice another Kryptonian on this planet?"

Karen was flustered by his sudden appearance, no doubt, but she pulled herself together enough to respond.

"I don't know what you're talking about.' She managed to reply. She pressed the button for the lobby and looked at him again. "Good bye."

The elevator started moving, but he just floated with it remained just outside the car right in front of her. Karen was getting nervous. She tried not to fidget, but he was right there. He shouldn't be right there. This was not how things were supposed to go. She didn't want any contact with him. She'd been avoiding Metropolis like the plague just so she wouldn't have to deal with this sort of situation. She tried not looking at him, but he was right there. She gave him a quick glance. He looked different from the Kal she knew back home, younger, much, much younger. It wasn't just that, but his whole posture and attitude seemed different. His uniform was different too. She quickly looked away, but knew he'd caught her. Shit, she was trapped in this lousy elevator and unless she wanted to use her powers stuck. If she didn't use her powers, he wouldn't know for sure, she thought, although he probably already did a scan of her so he knew anyway. Whatever, she thought; she couldn't handle this situation or deal with him right now.

"Would you please go away?" She said. 'You're really freaking me out floating out there like that."

"I'm perfectly safe,' he replied.

"Not really what I was worried about' she snidely replied.

"So how long have you been here?"

"None of your business. Go away."

"It must have been awhile, you know the language and obvious have blended in,' he observed.

"Aren't you wanted by the police or something?" She said. "I don't make a habit out of talking to strange floating men wanted by the authorities, so take your crazy talk and go, please."

He laughed and it seemed to light up his whole face. It was so different from all the pictures and videos she'd seen of him since she arrived.

"I saw you in Japan,' he said. " You did a little floating of your own."

"I'd don't know what you're talking about,' she snapped.

"Yes, you do."

"Look, I'm sure this sort of thing impresses lots of women. The whole floating outside their office and all, but I'm not one of them. Victoria Secret has an office a couple of blocks up the street, why don't you try this with them?"

He didn't reply and that only frustrated her.

"Take a hint, I'm not interested. Go away!"

"I guess if I had some technology you wanted to steal like Michael Holt it would be different, wouldn't it?" He said, flashing her mischievous grin.

"Wh-What?" She gasped. How did he know about that? "I don't have any idea what you're taking about."

"Should I ask Mr. Holt?"

She chose not to address his question.

"What are you stalking me? Go away or I'll call the authorities, pal! I mean it!"

"Go ahead."

"You don't think I will? I'm not bluffing,' she said, pulling out her cell phone. He just smiled and continued to float down keeping pace with the elevator.

"Last chance,' she said. He just smiled and gestured for her to go ahead. That pissed her off a bit, so she punched in 911. She'd wipe that smug smile of his handsome face, she thought herself.

"Hello, police? Yes, this is Karen Starr at the Starr Technologies building. ... Yes, that's the one, ah-huh. Anyway, I want to report a stalker bothering me,' she said into the phone. She glared at Superman for a moment as she listened to the officer on the other end. "Well, he's currently floating just outside the elevator I'm riding in. … What? Yes, I said floating, that's right. … No I haven't been drinking for our information and frankly I don't like your tone. … A description? Well, he's Superman. … Yes, that Superman, ah-huh. … Again, no, I didn't have too much punch at the Christmas party, officer! You know your attitude leaves a lot to be desired. I'm a tax payer, I'll have you know and I'm really not happy with the level of service I'm getting. … I'm telling you Superman is stalking me and I want you to send over a SWAT team or the military, whatever you usually send out for these situations. … Okay, well, yes I would agree this probably isn't something you deal with every day. Yes, that's true too, so than could you at least send a car by? … Thank you."

She hung up and looked at him again.

"Feel better now? He asked.

"No, cause you're still here,' she replied. "They're on their way, so I'd advise you to leave now."

"I'm sure I've got a minute or two. So you're from Krypton,' he replied. "How did you get here?"

"Look, this isn't a date!" She said in exasperation. "We are not just getting to know each other over the bread sticks and salad! Go away!"

"Just tell me how you got here."

"None of your business. Now go away!"

He just continued to smile and float along outside the elevator.

"People are starting to stare,' she said, She gestured to some of he pedestrians that were looking up at them. "Would you please leave?"

"You don't seem like the shy type to me,' he observed.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She demanded

"You seemed to like being on the cover of all those magazines,' he suggested. "Karen Starr, and just like her name a rising one in the business world I think one of them said. You've made a big splash in the last few years. So has your friend, Helena, isn't it? The crossbow is an interesting choice. She doesn't like the spotlight quite as much as you do, does she?"

He knew about Helena too, shit and double shit, she thought. Karen didn't like the implication about her and the spotlight either. It was for her business, that's all. She took a step toward him.

"What have you been spying on us? Is that how you get your jollies off?" She demanded. "I never figured you for a weirdo, Superman. You're not one of those creepy guys that cuts out every picture of a woman and makes a shrine to her on his wall, are you?"

He laughed again. She had to admit he looked very handsome when he laughed, well, more handsome than usual. It didn't matter, she told herself; she wanted nothing to do with him. She just wanted him to leave, so she could have some time to think.

"No, shrine, sorry, just reading up on you," he replied.

"Aren't you supposed to be dating Wonder Woman or something,' she fired back. "I doubt she'd like you harassing innocent woman like this."

He laughed again and shook his head.

"Don't believe everything you read,' he replied. "So did you come to Earth at the same time as Supergirl? No, she just arrived and you've been here longer than that. Do you know her?"

The mention of Supergirl reminded Karen of back home and who she used to be. She needed to end this before it went any further.

"Are you going to leave?"

"Not until you answer me."

"Well, unless you want me to start yelling your real name at the top of my lungs, Clark Kent, I think you should leave now."

It was his turn to be surprised. Karen couldn't help a small smile as she saw his expression. Now he knows he's not dealing with just anyone, she thought.

"You aren't the only one that does their homework, Superman,' she added. "Or would you prefer, Clark?

"Um, no, let-let's keep it Superman out here,' he offered. "You'll have to tell me how you figured it out some time."

"Maybe,' she absently offered. "Now I think its time for you to leave. Bye-bye"

"All right, I'll go,' he replied. "I like the white outfit, by the way."

"Thanks."

With another smile, he was off, disappearing into the clouds. She used her enhanced vision to follow him just to make sure he wasn't still hovering further away where he didn't think she could see him. Satisfied he really was gone, Karen took a deep breath and leaned back against the elevator wall.

Shit, Karen thought, Helena is going to freak when I tell her. On second thought, maybe I won't tell her and just freak out for the both of us. This is not good, not good at all.

(A/N - Just for those that aren't up on the latest reboot, Power Girl and Huntress are now from Earth 2. They got transported to our world by accident and haven't figure out how to get back to theirs.

Also, Superman on our world is younger and something of a loner so far in the reboot. Hope that helps.)