Volley
Rome – 10 Days Later
The small hotel was near Trajan's Column and well off the usual tourist path. It had a lovely view of the market. The two occupants at the moment weren't really interested in the view. Karen Starr and Helena Wayne were currently having a 'discussion'.
"You know, maybe it's not as bad as it sounds,' Karen offered hopefully.
'Have you lost your mind, Karen?" Helena said accusingly. "You used his real name! It's worse than it sounds."
Karen cringed and shrugged her shoulders.
"Okay, I know, I know, I just sort of panicked," Karen replied. "He caught me off guard. I mean he was literally floating right there in front of me. I just wanted him to leave, so I was grasping at straws."
"And throwing out 'hey, you're real name is Clark Kent' seemed like something that would work?"
"You know you are really starting to sound more and more like your dad,' Karen offered. "Besides, it did work, he left and hasn't been back."
"He will, you know he will,' Helena pointed out. She was pacing back and forth across the room. Her arms were crossed and she was tapping her thumb absently against her lower lip.
"Couldn't you have just told him to fuck off and the get off the elevator on the next floor?"
"Sorry, I'm not used to dealing with men floating outside my elevator,' Karen snidely replied. "That sounds like a great idea in hindsight, Helena, but I panicked, okay?"
"Aren't you supposed to be really smart?" Helena asked, ignoring the snark. "You built this huge company from nothing in less than five years, but one guy floating outside an elevator freaks you out?"
"I know." Karen admitted, as she dropped down into one of the chairs. "I wanted nothing to do with any of them. I don't understand why this happened? You're the one that wants to get caught, not me."
"What?" Helena gasped. "What the hell are you talking about? I don't want to be caught. That's ridiculous."
"You're stealing from this world's Batman, Helena,' Karen countered. "If he's anywhere near as anal as our world's Batman, he's going to catch you."
"Hey, that's my dad you're talking about, remember?" Helena complained. "Besides, my mom taught me everything she knew about getting in and getting out without anyone being the wiser."
"Didn't your dad always catch your mom?" Karen asked. "Isn't that how they first hooked up?"
"He didn't always catch her,' Helena objected. "Some times mom let him catch her, there's a big difference."
Karen just looked at her.
"There is, trust me,' Helena replied.
"You're still going to get caught. Besides stealing from him, you're checking out everything about him,' Karen said. "He's going to notice sooner or later. I think you want to get caught if you want the truth."
"I don't want to get caught, that's isn't it,' Helena snapped.
"Then what is it?" Karen asked.
Helena stopped pacing and turned to look at her friend.
"All you really care about is going home, right?" She asked.
"Yes,' Karen immediately replied.
"Well, have you really thought about it? I mean even if we get home, Karen, they're gone,' Helena sadly said. "They won't be there even if we get back."
"How does that explain you playing fangirl to this world's Batman and Catwoman?"
"I know he's not my Batman, but he's the closest thing I'm going to get,' Helena admitted. "He's younger, but he's still Bruce Wayne. I know she's not my Catwoman, but Selina Kyle's out there too. I'm curious if things will work out here like they did back home."
Karen got up and moved over to her friend and hugged her.
"I miss them too Helena, but these aren't the same people," she whispered. "Robin in this world is he's son, not his daughter. Not you."
"I know,' Helena quietly said. " I do. I still can't believe this Batman let that little prick be Robin. I had to beg and plead forever before he let me by Robin. It's just that with them gone and us here, it's as close as I'm going to get."
"Hey, don't talk like that,' Karen stated. "If I can get this quantum tunnel working, there is a chance we can go back to just before we arrived here. We might be able to change things, Helena, save them."
"You don't know that, Karen,' Helena replied. "I know getting back home is all you think about, but we have to face reality. They're gone and we're here. We have to make the best of it."
Karen pulled back and went over to the window. She stood looking out at the city.
"You really are starting to sound like him more and more."
"If you mean a realist, then I guess I am,' Helena offered.
Neither spoke for a moment, as memories of family and friends came rushing back to both of them. Ever the practical one, Helena returned them to the original topic.
"So what are we going to do about this world's Superman? He's not just going to let it drop,' she said.
"I got us in this mess, I guess I'll just have to handle it,' Karen replied, not turning from the view.
"What's he like?" Helena asked.
"What do you mean?" Karen replied.
"Well, was he wearing that coal miner outfit, you know the jeans and tee shirt?"
"No, he had the regular Superman suit on,' Karen said. "It's different than Kal's, well, he seems different than our Kal."
The way she said it caught Helena's interest.
"How so?"
"Well, he's younger, closer to our age for one,' Karen offered. "It's like Superman and much younger Superman."
"You mean Superboy?" Helena asked.
"No, he's definitely a man,' Karen immediately replied. "Just not the one we know."
"Oh, really? Definitely a man, huh?" Helena teased. "You noticed that even while you were freaking out?"
"Oh, shut up,' Karen snapped. "I'm just saying they are completely different people is all. From what I've read he seems more isolated, more of a loner than Kal on our world. I mean he's not even the leader of the Justice League here, Arthur is."
"I thought you didn't want to know anything about them on this world?' Helena asked.
"I don't."
"Then how do you know so much about him? You didn't mention him telling you about the Justice League when you two talked at the elevator,' Helena pointed out. "And he's a loner? I doubt that came up in your little chat either."
Damn, Karen thought, my best friend would have to be the daughter of the World's Greatest Detective.
"I, um, well, did a little, just a bit, of reading up afterwards,' Karen offered.
"A little reading, huh? You know, maybe I should be the one to talk to him,' Helena suggested. "Give him the 'glare' and put the fear of God into him."
Karen turned and looked at her incredulously.
"The glare? You really are turning into your old man and it's a little scary,' Karen observed.
"That just means I learned it from the best."
Helena demonstrated, flashing the glare at Karen. She stood there for a moment just looking at her friend.
"Stop it, it's just creepy when you do it. I've known you since I was seventeen, it doesn't work on me,' Karen said. "Besides, whatever world it is, he's still Superman. Unless you've got some Kryptonite stashed away, I don't think the 'glare' is going to work on him."
"I could get some," Helena offered. "That would show him we mean business."
"No. I got us into this, I'll handle it, okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'll take care of it, you just worry about not getting caught by Batman."
"He won't catch me."
"Sure he won't. This is all your fault though."
"How is it my fault?" Helena asked.
"Helena, you just had to become the Huntress, carrying on your dad's legacy of fighting crime, regardless of what world we're on. If we'd just lain low, this wouldn't have happened. He'd be out looking for that other Supergirl. You even talking me into it and it was that video of us in Japan that got him curious."
"You've been using your powers since day one even without my encouragement,' Helena replied. 'What were we supposed to do, just stand by and do nothing?"
"We could have,' Karen suggested.
"I noticed you didn't need a lot of encouraging when that maniac destroyed your factory,' Helena pointed out. "You jumped right back into saving the world without me saying anything."
"That was different,' Karen objected. "He destroyed the quantum tunneler. I paid a lot of money for it. He deserved a good ass kicking for being such a douche."
"Oh, please, you've been using your powers since we got here,' Helena fired back. "It was just a matter of time before you donned a new uniform."
Karen shrugged reluctantly, not really wanting to admit her friend was right.
"It's still your fault.' Karen whispered under her breath.
"What was that?" Helena asked.
"Nothing."
"Uh-huh." Helena skeptically said and then switched back to the main topic. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you and help deal with him?"
"No, no, I'll handle it,' Karen replied.
"How?"
"I haven't figured that part out yet,' Karen admitted. "I'll think of something."
JLA Satellite
Clark kept to the background as the others discussed expanding the roster. The government was pushing for them to add members, but so far some were resisting, namely Green Lantern and Arthur. Clark really didn't have an opinion on the matter. He wasn't that close to these six, what would a few more really matter? Of course adding a few more female members might make this less of a sausage fest when they were all together and give Lantern someone else to constantly strike out with. Wonder Woman would probably appreciate the break. You'd think when a woman says no every way possible, including in Ancient Greek, a guy would get the message.
"So what do you think about this, Superman?' Arthur asked.
"Whatever the majority decides is fine with me,' Clark replied.
"Nice, thanks for the input, Superman,' Hal sarcastically said. "You really put the I in team."
"There isn't an I in team,' Wonder Woman pointed out.
"I wouldn't mind being the I on your team Princess,' Hal said with a wink. "If you're interested?"
"No."
Clark mind started to drift as they continued skirmishing between themselves and tried to come to some consensus about what they would tell the government. As it seemed to since that night, his thoughts turned to Karen Starr. She was another Kryptonian, he was sure of that. He realized he'd been a little too overconfident that night when he approached her. He'd been in too big a hurry to make an impression on her and hadn't done his homework. You would have thought he'd learned his lesson with Supergirl, but apparently not.
When she hit him with his real name, Clark nearly lost it. He knew he'd never met her before. You don't forget someone that beautiful. So how did she know his name? He'd been working with these six for five years and only two of them knew. He hadn't told them either, they figured it out on their own. Questions seemed to multiple the more he thought about her. What else did she know about him? That thought worried him. She hadn't done anything so far, but by knowing his secret identity she could cause a lot of problems if she wanted to.
He had a feeling she wouldn't. He couldn't say why, it was just a feeling. Thinking back on that night, she only seemed to want to be left alone. He could understand that. He'd been hunted and chased, captured and tortured since he first started all of this. Why would she want to reveal herself to the world? If he'd been thinking with his head instead of another part of his body, he might have considered that before he went rushing off to meet her.
It wasn't just that she was gorgeous, he thought; it was also that she was like him, a Kryptonian. That was why he'd rushed over when Kara had arrived. Finally he wasn't the only one of his kind. It was such an amazing feeling knowing he wasn't alone, he hadn't considered just how confusing it must have all been for her. One minute she's in Argo City and the next she's on some strange world where she has these unbelievable powers. She doesn't speak the language and no one seems to understand her, then suddenly a guy turns up wearing the same outfit she has on. He says he's her cousin, but the last time she saw her cousin he was still an infant. Of course she would react the way she did. She was a scared young girl waking up in a very strange place. No wonder she wasn't buy anything he was saying.
He had years to get the hang of all of this. He couldn't expect her to adjust in a day or hours. She probably thought he was some evil clone or something. As hard as it was he had to just give her some time to sort things out. He'd still keep tabs on her, but he'd have to let her come to him on her own terms.
"Do you have anything to add before we adjourn, Superman?' Arthur asked.
"No."
"Shocker,' Hal said mockingly.
The other members began to file out, but Batman lingered behind for a moment.
"Are you okay?" He asked. "You seem a little distracted today?"
"What? Oh, no, I'm fine,' Clark replied. "I just have something on my mind."
"It wouldn't have anything to do with your trip to New York last week would it?" Batman asked.
"You heard about that?"
"Yes. So?"
"No, it's just stuff, personal stuff,' Clark offered.
"All right, I've got to get back to Gotham. You know the number,' Batman said and then headed for the exit.
For a moment Clark thought about asking Batman for some help, but quickly dismissed the idea. They had a working relationship and knew each other outside of the League, but they weren't close like that. He could hear Lantern and Flash laughing over some stupid joke in the distance. He sort of envied them their friendship. Sure Hal seemed like a bit of an ass at times, but Barry didn't seem to have a problem with it.
As his mind turned back to his problem with Karen Starr, Clark knew he could use some help. He'd done more digging on her and her back-story seemed solid, but something was off, his reporter instincts told him. He could probably ask Batman, but he seemed pretty occupied at the moment, Owls or something that had to do with Gotham.
Cyborg, no, Victor, Clark corrected himself. Got to start calling him by his name. Unfortunately starting now posed a problem. Clark had long ago noticed that when people who usually don't use your name or even care what it is; start using it, it most often means they want something. They only use it so you'll help them. If he'd figured it out, probably Victor had too. It couldn't be helped, Clark thought, he needed someone with his expertise with computers. Just try to not seem like it's the only reason you're doing it, Clark reminded himself.
As he headed out of the main conference room and towards the computer lab where Victor spent most of his time, Arthur approached him from another hallway.
"Superman, a word,' Arthur called.
Clark slowed down and waited until Arthur was caught up to him.
"What can I do for you?" Clark asked.
"I just wanted to make sure we're all on the same page as far as this adding members goes,' Arthur explained. "Diana's going to talk to the government liaison in a few moments so I wanted to make sure you're okay with what we decided."
Clark hadn't really been listening to what they'd decided, but there was no reason to let Arthur know that.
"I'm fine with it."
"Good to hear,' Arthur replied. "You rarely voice your opinion and stay in the background, but I want you to know I don't have a problem with you taking a larger role in this."
Clark smiled at this.
"Thanks,' he said. "But I think we should just leave it the way things are. I don't have any problems with you and Wonder Woman being out front."
"Diana,' Arthur said.
"Excuse me?"
"Her name is Diana."
Clark stopped and looked at Arthur.
"I know what her name is,' Clark replied.
"But you never use it,' Arthur pointed out.
"I was trying to be polite,' Clark offered.
"I'm sure you were, but she doesn't have a secret identity to protect. In the same way I don't,' Arthur replied. "You use my name, but never hers. It might be 'polite' to start."
Clark looked at him for a moment.
"It's just a suggestion,' Arthur added.
"I get your point and I'll keep it in mind,' Clark said.
"You could also offer an opinion now and then at the meetings,' Arthur suggested.
Clark smiled and dipped his head for a second before looking back into Arthur's eyes.
"I know what you're saying is your way of getting me to be more of a team player, Arthur," Clark began. "But I don't think that's such a good idea. They aren't worried about you, any of you. They're worried about me. I'm the one that makes them nervous, the alien among them. I think the less I deal with the government the better it is for all of us."
"You've proven yourself time and again, Superman,' Arthur replied. "The people have come around to your side, I'm sure the government will too."
"Public opinion can change overnight,' Clark said. "Take Wonder Woman, Diana for an example. The government and the public didn't trust her when she first arrived. It took Steve Trevor and her natural abilities to turn that around. Being associated with me can make all that hard work go away in an instant."
Arthur started to object, but Clark raised his hand to stop him.
"We all understand what we're doing is important,' Clark continued. 'If I had problems with how things were being handled, believe me, I'd tell you. It's working right now, so let's not tempt fate and change things. I have no complains with your leadership. In fact I think you're doing an amazing job."
"Thank you." Arthur said and held out his hand. Clark took it. "If you're satisfied with things as they are, then so be it."
Clark nodded and then moved away, heading towards the computer lab. Arthur watched him for a moment, still a bit surprised. In the five years he'd known Superman that was the most he'd ever spoken. Maybe because of that, his words of praise meant more. Arthur smiled and turned towards the mess hall. By now, Hal and Barry were probably getting into some trouble, so he might as well see if he could head it off.
As Clark passed the communications room, he glanced in just as Wonder Woman was establishing contact with the government liaison, Steve Trevor.
"Hello, Steve,' she said with a smile.
"Hello, Diana!"
With just a glance at the way Trevor's face lit up, Clark knew the man was still hopelessly in love with Wonder Woman. He was obviously trying to put a brave face on for her, as if nothing had changed between them. Clark imagined she had been as kind as she could in letting him down, but it must have crushed Trevor. Not wanting to interrupt, Clark tried to be as silent as he could walking by. Trevor must have seen him in the corner of the screen, and Diana's eyes followed his.
"Oh, hello, Superman." She said with a smile at seeing him in the hallway.
"Um, hi, um, Wonder Woman, Colonel Trevor,' Clark replied and then quickly moved on. He purposely made sure he didn't listen in on their conversation and hoped he hadn't just make it worse for Steve than it already was.
Clark arrived at the computer room and found Victor huddled over some equipment. He looked up when the door opened.
"Superman, is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes," Clark replied. "I was hoping you could help me with something, Victor."
Cyborg seemed surprised at Clark using his real name.
"Certainly, Superman."
Clark moved into the room and the door shut behind him. The look on Victor's face told him everything he needed to know.
"Look, we already know you know who I am,' Clark offered. "So there's really no need for us to continue calling each other Cyborg and Superman. At least not when we're alone, that is. I'm Clark, Victor."
He offered his hand and a rather surprised Victor accepted it.'
"Vic,' he said.
"Excuse me?" Clark replied.
"Only my dad and Diana call me Victor, everyone else calls me, or used to call me Vic."
"Vic then,' Clark said with a smile. Vic returned it.
"So what can I help you with, Clark?" He asked. Clark had to chuckle, but then moved on.
"I've been doing some computer research and I could use an expert eye,' Clark explained.
"Okay, was there something specific or just general research?"
"Do you know who Karen Starr is of Starr Industries?"
Vic's smile suddenly got much wider.
"Yeah, I've got all the magazines she's on the cover of,' Vic replied, and then quickly added. "For the articles about her company."
"Yeah, that's what I tried telling my dad when I was young,' Clark said with a chuckle. "I was only looking at the articles."
"She is actually doing some interesting work,' Vic offered, as he tried not to blush.
"Yes, she is,' Clark replied, letting it go and saving Victor some embarrassment. "I've been doing some background on her and her company and it all looks fine, but something, I can't put my finger on it, something seems off to me."
"Is this part of your campaign against corporate greed and malfeasance? Vic asked.
"No." Clark said with a shake of his head. "There was something between her and Michael Holt's company, but he hasn't pressed charges or made any waves about it. I'm interested more in her background. This isn't League business, so if you don't feel right helping, Vic, I'll understand."
"So it's personal?" Vic asked.
"In a way and I would appreciate it this stayed just between you and me,' Clark replied.
"All right, I'll take a look,' Vic offered. "Is there anything specific you want me to check?"
"Before Starr Industries started mostly,' Clark stated. 'Her bio checks out, but there's something about it that feels almost too perfect, too neat."
"I'll take a look."
Several minutes passed as Vic did his work. Clark didn't want to rush him, so instead he took a look as some of the things Vic was working on. One that caught his attention was a very small hologram projector. It was the size of a quarter and could easily be disguised as a ring or a piece of jewelry. Clark thought about what the use of something like could be and was just coming to a conclusion when Vic's laugh caused him to turn around.
"What?"
"She's good, very good,' Vic said with big smile. "Whichever one of them did this, Karen Starr or her friend, Helena with too many last names to count, they are very good."
"How so?" Clark asked, as he moved back over to Vic.
"You were right, it all checks out,' Vic explained. "It's seamless really, but only the last five years aren't a complete fabrication."
"What?"
"I don't know how they did it, but before five years ago, they didn't exist."
"How is that possible?" Clark asked. "You said yourself if it's on a computer you know about it. How could they not exist before five years ago?"
"That's the million dollar question,' Vic replied. "I don't have an answer to be honest. What I can tell is that whichever one of them created their back-story, she's an artist. It's simple, yet elegant at the same time. Its style is familiar to me, but I can't put my finger exactly why. I reminds me of some of Batman's work, but there's almost a playfulness that his lacks."
'If it's that good, what tipped you off to it being a fake?" Clark asked.
"Just little things around the edges,' Vic explained. "You'd really have to know what you were looking for to see them. Like I said, this is amazing work."
"But if you found it, does that mean someone else could?"
"If they looked hard enough, yes."
Clark thought about this for a few moments and then made a decision.
"Vic, I'm going to ask you for another favor, but if you don't feel right about doing it I'll completely understand,' Clark said.
It was Vic's turn to stare at Clark.
"Okay, what's the favor?"
Metropolis
Karen stood in front of the building and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. It felt so weird being here, but she'd said she'd deal with it, so she was dealing with it. As far as her plan, well, when in doubt, go with the old reliable, she thought. It worked with Michael Holt, and he's Mr. Terrific, the third smartest man in the world so it should work on Clark Kent.
Clark was at his desk going over his piece on corporate greed. While average people were losing their life savings, corporate executives were giving themselves bonuses. If it wasn't criminal, it should be, Clark thought. If the government wasn't going to do anything, then he'd put a little heat on the pigs at the trough. Around him most of his coworkers were still talking about the company New Year's party. Clark hadn't gone and hearing about how much fun everyone else had was something he could do without. He tuned out most of the noise around him and concentrated on putting the final touches on his piece.
"Clark Kent."
At the sound of his name, Clark looked up to find Karen Starr standing right in front of him. She was wearing a rather brief and very form fitting white dress. He was so shocked to see her; he immediately started to get up. Unfortunately he hadn't pushed his chair away from his desk, so as he stood the desk began to tip over. He made a desperate grab for his computer and phone before they smashed against the floor. He managed to stop the desk from completely tipping over without using his power, but it made a rather loud thud when it landed back on the floor. What he hadn't been able to stop was all his papers scattering everywhere. He quickly moved to the side of the desk and got down to pick them up. He glanced up and Karen was looking down at him with a smile on her lips. She gestured towards the desk and then to the papers strewn everywhere. Her smile got a little bigger as she looked him in the eye.
"Smooth."