One Step Beyond

Gotham

"… And so I need your help."

Helena sat across from Bruce. She had just given him the bare bones outline of who she was and how she got here. She told him about what happened to Karen as Michael had related it to her.

She was in trouble and Bruce was the first person she thought to turn to.

Stunned, there was really no other word for how Bruce was feeling. He liked to think of himself as someone that thought of every scenario, every possible situation, but this, this wasn't one he'd ever considered.

"You want to run that by me one more time,' he finally said.

Helena sighed in frustration but pressed ahead.

"Look, I know how it sounds, but you're just going to have to believe me on this. Time is of the essences."

Bruce could see she holding it together for his sake, but he couldn't help asking the questions again.

"You're from another Earth?"

"Yes."

"And on that world your father is …?"

"Bruce Wayne."

"And your mother is …?"

"Selina Kyle."

"Selina? Really?"

"Yeah."

"Are there more of you? I mean do you have sisters and brothers?"

"No."

Bruce's mind seemed to be going a million miles an hour. Another Earth where he was married, married to Selina and had a daughter. So many things about the young woman sitting in front of him seemed to fall into place.

"Wait. At the trade show, did you invite Selina?" He asked.

"Yeah, sort of,' Helena admitted. She knew he had a million questions, but time wasn't on their side. "So will you help me? Please?"

"Why should I believe you?" Bruce asked. He was by nature suspicious, but there was also a part of him that believed her story. In a surprising way he wanted to believe her story and that raised even more questions in his mind.

"I've told you what I know about you, what other way would I know all of it?"

"I can think of several," Bruce replied. "None as unique as yours, I admit."

"Please, I know this is all a bit overwhelming,' Helena offered. "But I need help and you're the first person I thought of. On either planet, you're still a hero, right? Please help me, Bruce."

"How do you know Karen isn't back on your world?" He asked. "Perhaps your parents and her cousin are already with her."

"They're dead, murdered,' Helena sadly replied. She held back the emotion that always accompanied thinking of her parents and pressed on. "Michael Holt doesn't believe that's where she vanished to. The residual signature isn't the same."

"Michael Holt is involved in this?"

"Yes, he was there when Karen got pulled into the boom tube."

"The boom tube."

Bruce had an ominous feeling at hearing that. His instincts were telling him this wasn't what it seemed, but as he looked at Helena he couldn't help looking for some of himself in her. He could certainly see Selina in her now, but would this be what his daughter really looked like? Caution seemed to be the prudent course, but now that the idea that this was his daughter, even if from another world had been planted, he couldn't remain detached. He had so many questions about the other him and the life he led, but they would have to wait.

"We should contact Superman,' Bruce finally said.

Washington

The kiss lingered longer than a first kiss usually does. When Diana finally pulled back a little, she saw the surprise in his face and it was mirrored in her own mind. She blushed and suddenly felt awkward. She had acted on impulse. She hadn't been planning on kiss him and suddenly she wondered if he thought it was a mistake.

"I didn't mean to, well, it just happened, but I'm sorry if you thought it was a …" She started to offer an apology, but he leaned forward and cut her words off with another kiss. She returned it, giving herself fully to the kiss.

The first kiss caught Clark off guard. He had only meant to check on her, knowing from their short conversation how the whole situation with Steve weighted on Diana. When she started talking about how different she felt, it was as if someone else were verbalizing his own thoughts. She went on to talk about relationships and he couldn't help thinking of his own situation. Had he even been in a relationship with Karen? What did it say about the current state of his life that whatever he and Karen had was the closest he'd felt to anyone?

When he looked into Diana's eyes he saw the same loneliness. The kiss just happened. When she pulled away, he saw she was just as surprised as he was. He saw her blush and he couldn't help wonder if she thought it was a mistake. When she started to apologize, he realized it was his reaction or lack of one that was the cause of her confusion. Again it seemed to mirror a situation he'd already been through. The word mistake wouldn't be said this time, he thought. Instead of words, he did the most direct thing he could do; he kissed her to reassure Diana that he didn't think it was a mistake.

His League communicator went off.

He didn't answer it right away, as kissing Diana seemed to occupy all his senses. It was her that finally stopped the kiss and glanced at the communicator.

"You should answer that,' she whispered. "It might be important."

She was right, of course, but Clark didn't want to answer it. Something had just happened between them and he knew they should talk about it. He tried to form a sentence in his head, but the communicator kept beeping. Diana put her hand on his and nodded.

"Answer it,' she said.

With a bit of frustration at not being able to find the words, Clark tapped the communicator.

"Yes?"

"Superman, I need to see you immediately on the Watchtower, it's urgent."

It was Batman's voice.

"I'm in the middle of something, Batman,' Clark replied.

"I don't care,' Batman replied. "It involves Karen Starr, so get up here. You can talk to Diana later."

"How did you know Diana was with me?"

"I'm Batman, not get up here."

The communicator went dead. Clark couldn't help smirking at the last comment, but then he felt Diana looking at him.

"I have to go,' he softly said.

"I understand,' she replied.

"Things – Things are complicated right now, but when I get back we should talk."

"That's all right, we don't have to,' she said. He noticed her eyes didn't look at him. Gently he reached over and lifted her chin so they were looking at each other.

"It wasn't a mistake, Diana,' Clark told her. "I'm not sure what it is between us, but I know it wasn't a mistake."

He leaned in and kissed her lightly.

"You're not alone. We'll talk when I get back, I promise."

"All right."

The Watchtower

Clark was not exactly in a good mood when he arrived on the station. If anything his mind was on a million different things. As he stepped into the conference room Huntress and Batman both turned to look at him. He was struck by how oddly similar they moved, but then dismissed it as he saw Victor and Michael Holt were also in the room.

"So what's so urgent?"

"You might want to brace yourself for this one,' Victor offered. Clark gave him a look and then turned to Batman.

"Well?"

"You've met Helena,' Batman said. Clark glanced at Huntress, who smiled weakly.

"Nice to see you again," Clark replied.

"Hi."

"It seems her and Karen Starr aren't quite who they seem."

"Who are they then?" Clark asked.

"They're Batman's daughter and Superman's cousin from alternative universe,' Bruce replied.

Clark just looked at him for a moment.

"Come again?"

"They are from an alternative universe,' Bruce repeated.

To say Clark was a bit flummoxed would be an understatement. Alternative universes sounded like something out of a science fiction novel, but it would explain a few things.

"Five years,' Clark muttered. "That's why your back stories was so vague before that."

"That was you? You did that work?" Victor asked.

Helena smiled, a little uncomfortable under all the attention.

"Yeah."

"That was nice work."

"Thanks, but that's not important now, Karen is."

"Where is Karen?" Clark asked.

"Gone."

"Gone? Gone where?"

"Not to the other Earth," Michael Holt said. "The frequency is wrong, but with Vic's help I think we can recreate the boom tube that she was pulled through."

"Boom tube?"

"She was pulled through one earlier today at CERN." Michael explained. "She saved me before that though. I feel responsible, so I'm going after her wherever she went to."

"I'm going too,' Helena said.

"As am I,' Clark added. He was very confused about many things, but finding Karen wasn't one of them. She might have ended it between them, but the one thing he was sure of was he couldn't just stand by if she was in trouble. There were answers he still wanted, but they would have to wait until she was safe.

"I guess since I'm the one who's going to be providing the transportation, I'm going too,' Victor said.

"Good luck, all of you,' Batman replied.

Everyone turned to look at him. Helena stepped closer and looked into his eyes.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm not going with you,' Bruce replied.

"What? Why? I need your help,' Helena protested.

"And I want to help you, but this world needs me right now. This Gotham needs me right now,' Bruce explained. "I'm sorry, I'll do whatever I can from here, but I can't leave right now."

"But…"

"I'm sorry."

Bruce looked Helena and then turned to Clark.

"Bring everyone home safe."

He walked out of the door after that. Helena went after him. Clark, Michael and Victor just looked at each other.

"So how long before we can go?" Clark asked.

"An hour or two to make the necessary adjustments,' Victor replied.

"All right, maybe that's enough time to get us a little more help,' Clark offered. "I'll be back, don't leave without me."

Gotham

Batman beamed down on top of an abandon building near the waterfront. Helena beamed in seconds later. He knew she would be following him. Before she could say a word, he cut her off.

"I know what you're thinking and I'm sympathetic to your situation, but I can't leave."

"But I need your help,' Helena replied. "That's why I came to you in the first place!"

"And I gave it to you, but my priority has to be this Gotham,' he stated.

"But …"

"Helena, I'm not your father,' Bruce flatly said to her. "I helped you get what you needed to find your friend and when you get back I'll help you in any way I can to get back to your universe, but I can't replace him. I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but if I'm anything like he was I hope you'll understand."

Helena was hurt by his response and lashed out at him.

"You just look like him, but now I see you're nothing like him." She said. "I guess the illusion finally got stripped away. Fine, don't help me, I'll do this one my own if I have to. Good-bye, Batman."

Bruce wanted to say so many things to her. Standing there he could see himself in her and he truly believed she was who she said she was. He wanted nothing more that to be the person she wanted him to be, but he knew he couldn't. He had too many responsibilities and commitments to this world. He had a son on this world that needed him probably more than ever. His city, Gotham had never seemed more dangerous and it was his responsibility to protect it. That had always been his core mission and traveling to other universes just wasn't part of the deal.

He wanted to say all these things to Helena, to explain if he had a daughter he would want her to be just like Helena. He wanted to welcome her into his family, into his city and into his life, yet as they stood there on the rooftop the words didn't come. Finally he just offered one sentence.

"Come back safe."

Atlantic Ocean

Clark hovered a thousand feet about the water, just waiting. As with everything involving Karen Starr he was confused. Now it wasn't just her, but Diana too. The kiss had been a shock, but he knew it meant more than either of them had said. He desperately wanted to talk to her about it, but knew that would have to wait. Even if he wanted to, Clark knew he was no good for Diana right now. Karen was still on his mind.

She was the first person he'd ever felt normal with. As confusion and frustrating as she was, he'd fallen for her. She ended it with a mysterious good-bye, but it didn't feel like it was over. Until he saw her again and knew she was safe, he couldn't move on to anyone. It wouldn't be fair to them. It seemed he couldn't let her go.

She arrived with incredible speed and stopped a thousand yards away from him.

"What do you want?' Her tone was hostile, just like the last time they spoke.

"Your help." He replied.

"Why?"

"Because I think I'm going to need it."

"What do you need my help for?" She asked, still a little suspicious of him.

"A young woman I'm close to is in danger,' he said. "She was taken from this world and I need to get her back."

"I'm sorry, but why should I?" She asked.

"Whether you believe we're cousins or not, Kara, you know I'm Kryptonian,' Clark stated. "She's Kryptonian too. That makes only three of us in the universe. If you won't go for me, do it for her and the home you both once shared. Please, Kara, I need your help."

She seemed to consider this for a few moments.

"You won't try and control me?" She hesitantly asked.

"No."

"All right, I'll help you this time, but that doesn't mean I believe were related."

"Thank you."

"So where is she?"

Elsewhere

Karen managed to rip the tentacles that had pulled her through the boom tube off her and as she turned she saw the plumes of fire and smoke. Parademons filled the sky and what could only be described as monsters surrounded her. A huge man stepped in front of them and gave her a cold, deadly smile.

"Welcome to Hell," he hissed. "A female Kryptonian, Lord Darkseid will be pleased. Let us show you your new home, Apokolips."

"Oh, shit,' Karen groaned.