ONE

SMALL

THING

You think you know. You think you have things pretty much figured out. This is the way things are supposed to be. This is the person you're supposed to be with. This is the life you are descended to live. You think you've made order out of chaos.

You haven't.

Something as simple as a van door not closed all the way can change everything. You get out and walk around to the opposite sliding rear door like you've done a thousand times before. You shut it and head back to the driver's door. Only today there is a bit of ice on the street. You round the back of the van and this time you're feet slip out from under you. 99 out of 100 times you would just fall, nothing more. You'd be embarrassed and a little shaken up, but no worse for wear.

Today is that 1 time out of 100.

As you slip and feel yourself falling you twist your body and put out your hand to help break your fall. Your hand slips on the ice too, just a moment before you make impact. All your weight comes down on your shoulder and upper arm.

Pain.

Pain unlike any you've experienced before shoots through your body. As you struggle to get up off the street it lances through your upper arm. You manage to get back into the van and take a deep breath. You tell yourself it's just stunned or bruised or you pulled something, but that pain says otherwise. By some primal survival instinct your body pulls the injured arm close to protect it. Your mind swings wildly from the worst-case scenario to the best. You somehow put the van in drive and start, telling yourself the pain will ease and you'll be all right.

Only it doesn't.

With each beat of your heart that throbbing pain emanating from your shoulder won't be ignored. It's not going away. Something is definitely wrong. A thousand thoughts enter your head and as much as you want to think of each of them, the pain keeps bringing you back to your shoulder. You have to go to the hospital. As you try and make your way there, your phone rings. Your arm is useless so you can't answer it and drive. You make it to the emergency room and have to wait. They have you filling out forms as you try and tell them your arm isn't working. Somehow the message finally gets through and they take you back for an X-ray. You and the pain wait for the results.

Diagnosis: Fractured shoulder. 8 to 12 weeks to fully recover.

Your ordered world has just been thrown into chaos again. The life you so confidently thought you had control of and had figured out stops. All those plans you made are suddenly changed. You realize in a moment everything can change. All it takes is a small patch of ice.

The Watchtower

Dinah Lance exited her room and headed towards the cafeteria. Her mind was on other things and just before she was about to step on the elevator, she remembered she'd forgotten something in her room. Heading back, she chided herself on letting her personal life affect her professional life. It seemed that was happening more and more lately. Her on and off again relationship with Ollie was off again. It wasn't even for the reason that came to mind for most. Ollie hadn't cheated on her. In fact that was a little insulting, she thought. Did people really believe she would put up with that? She would kick his ass to the curb the moment she found out if he'd been cheating on her without a second thought.

No, the problem between them was different. The problem was she was 24 and he was 41. As many times as she'd told him it didn't matter to her, she was finally getting it through her thick skull that it did to him. They'd had another long argument just the other night about it. He said they were at different points in their lives and while it may not seem to matter now, it would very soon. Dinah countered argued that if they loved each other than nothing else matter. She could still see the sad smile on his face as he answered. "That's because you're 24, Dinah. When you're 41 you'll understand that's just a beautiful fantasy. It matters."

So that was it, apparently she thought as she walked back into her quarters. No grand dramas, no shouting matches, just silence as he walked out again. She remembered her communicator wasn't in her room but the launch bay. Dinah was just about to leave when she glanced at her reflection in the mirror; she felt tears coming to her eyes. No, she told herself, I won't do this. I won't be one of those people that can't accept it when it's over. If that's the way he wants it, fine. He's probably already moving on, so I will too. I don't want to be the only one fighting for this relationship any more. Wiping a lone tear from her cheek, Dinah took a deep breath and headed back out her door.

The Cafeteria

Clark had checked out in good shape. There were traces of Red Kryptonite in his system but they should work their way out in a day or so according to Ray. That was a relief, but it left him with a slight problem. While he wasn't suffering from full Red Kryptonite exposure, it did elevate certain involuntary responses. That was a fancy way of saying Clark's libido was running at full throttle. As he sat in the cafeteria sipping a cold glass of ice tea, he was intensely aware of the women that seemed to be all around him.

Jeez, it's like being backstage at the Victoria's Secret fashion show, he thought. I knew the League had some good-looking women in it, but wow, they're all hot! Keep it in your pants, Clark, he chided himself, it's just the Red Kryptonite talking. You're not some barbarian that is driven by his basest wants and desires you're in control.

"Hi, Clark!"

He turned to see Zatanna standing next to him smiling. Oh God, he internally groaned.

"H-H-Hey, Zatanna,' he managed to say, trying to keep his eyes from roaming over her. He gave her a weak smile and tried to listen as she talked about the mission he'd just come back from. It was difficult; as he could smell the fragrance of her skin and she was so close his fingers could almost reach out and trace every luscious curve of her body. I'll bet I could learn to enjoy magic if she were the teacher, he absently thought.

Wrong!

Do not go there, Clark chided himself. Think of something else, baseball, nuns playing poker, or what is that gritty stuff that's always on an arcade-bowling machine? The whole time he was nodding along, trying to listen to what she was saying. God she's gorgeous! Stay calm; she's wrapping it up. Just keep smiling he thought, keep smiling.

"So I guess I'll see you around?' Zatanna finally said.

"Sounds good,' Clark replied. "I'll see you around."

"Um, okay than."

She gave him an odd look and then smiled as she moved away. He felt like taking a deep breath, as he'd dodge a major bullet there. I thought Ray said it would be minimal effects of the Red Kryptonite, Clark groaned. I'm almost afraid to stand up or everyone will know exactly what's going through my mind. Just have to ride this out and not do anything stupid, he told himself. He might have sounded more convincing to himself if he hadn't glanced at the doorway and seen Fire, Ice and Mari walk in. Three more impossibility beautiful women, just great he thought. I've got to get out of here or this could end really badly.

Pulling his cape around him, Clark quickly stood and started for the door. Using his X-ray vision he scanned the hallway and a groan escaped his lips. Power Girl and Huntress were walking towards the cafeteria. Veering off, he moved over and quickly poured himself a cup of coffee. He was in no condition to try and remain calm around Karen or Helena at the moment. He had vague thoughts of Helena saying something about him pitching a tent or how he certainly wasn't reacting to Karen like a supposed cousin would. The thought that he wasn't really related to Karen immediately crossed his mind, but he quickly pushed those thoughts away.

He held his breath as he sensed them walk in and moved passed him. He tried to act like he was really into pouring a cup of coffee, but figured he must look like a complete douchebag. This was turning into a disaster, he thought. First that lame reply to Zatanna and now this. Cut your loses, Clark and get the hell out of here!

A long cold shower back at your apartment and then a restless night and everything would be back to normal. Steeling himself he started again for the door. Karen called hi to him and he managed to wave, but didn't stop. He was almost free when Diana and Bruce stepped into the hallway. Oh God, not now, Clark groaned and started to turn away.

"Kal!" Diana called to him.

"Shit,' he grumbled under his breath. Slowly he turned around as Bruce and Diana walked up to him. He got the full effect of Diana and her outfit. Absently he pulled is cape just a bit more in front of him for cover.

"You didn't forget you are attending the celebration on Themyscira, did you Kal?" Diana asked.

"The what?' He replied, more than just a bit distracted by her presence. He knew he shouldn't be thinking of her like this as she was his friend and already had a boyfriend, but his current state was making it difficult. It was like he'd gotten ten B12 shots and all cylinders were ready to go.

"The state dinner, Kal,' Diana explained. "You are the League's representative to it."

"Is that tonight?"

You forgot?" Diana said. "This is important Kal. I can't be there, but the League should be represented. Themyscira is one of our strongest allies, you know, besides being my homeland."

"Right, oh, yeah, sure,' Clark replied, willing himself not to look at Diana's body. The problem was in her armor there was just so much of her body to look at and it was spectacular.

"You seem a bit distracted, Clark is this from the mission earlier?" Bruce asked.

"Um, yes, it is,' Clark said, giving Bruce a knowing look.

"Oh, well, I see,' Bruce replied. "You know Diana; maybe Clark's not the man for this particular assignment right now. How about Jonn or Ollie even?"

"Jonn's going on the mission with me, Bruce,' she informed him. "Ollie isn't exactly liked by the Amazons, to tell you the truth."

"How about Wally?" Clark offered, grasping at straws.

"Oh, very funny, Kal,' Diana said with a smile. She took a step closer to him. "You promised me you'd attend, Kal, you're not breaking your word, are you?"

Holy mother of God, did she have to stand so close, Clark groaned to himself?

"No, no, I wouldn't do that."

"Good, than it's settled."

Diana started to move past him towards the cafeteria. Clark's eyes couldn't help following her.

"Your Gods made you that armor?"

The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Diana stopped and turned to look at him.

"Yes, why, Kal?"

'Um, well, ah, just, you know, nice job,' he stammered for anything to say.

Diana gave him a look.

"Well, thank you, Kal."

"No, thank you."

Diana looked at him for another moment then headed into the cafeteria.

"Smooth,' Bruce said.

"You're not helping, Bruce,' Clark replied. "An island full of beautiful woman, what the hell am I going to do?"

"Try and remember they would castrate you if you try anything,' Bruce stated. That was like a bucket of cold water on Clark's raging libido.

"Good point."

"Are you sure you can do this tonight?" Bruce asked. "I thought Ray said it was just a small dose, not harmful."

"It was, but have you noticed just how many incredibly beautiful women are on the station?" Clark replied. "I'm starting to have a lot more sympathy for Wally."

"Maybe you should just skip this one, Clark. Its only going to be a few hours till this wears off if Ray's right, so just find something else to do till it does."

"No, I made a promise, I'll just have to tough it out."

"Let's hope you live up to that Man of Steel moniker,' Bruce joked.

"I think I like you better when you're all serious,' Clark replied.

"Look, if this is going to wear off in a few hours, why don't you take the elevator down to the hangar bay and head out there? Take a long cold shower and you should be fine."

"Good idea."

Clark pulled his cape more in front of him and then made a quick exit to the elevator. It opened and thankfully it was empty. He stepped in and gave a sigh of relief.

The Watchtower – Habitat Ring

Dinah stood in front of the elevator bank waiting. Usually one of them opened right away, but not today. Frustrated she looked up at the lights over the bank of elevators and finally saw one of them moving down. She stepped in front of it ready to get on as soon as the doors opened. The elevator dinged and she started forwards and immediately ran into Superman's chest.

"Oh, jeez, sorry, Dinah, I wasn't paying attention,' he apologized.

"I guess I wasn't either,' she replied. "No harm though."

He moved to the side, the far side and gave her room. She looked at him and then pressed the button for her floor.

"Oh, you're going to the launch bay too?" She said, trying to make idle chatter.

"Yeah."

She waited for him to say something else, but he seemed to turn all his attention towards the numbers above the doors. Doesn't want to talk, she thought, that's okay. She looked up at the numbers too as the doors closed. They rode in silence. She glanced sideways at him and wondered why he was wearing his cape like that. She'd never seem him wrap himself so completely in it before. That was strange. As this thought went through her mind, she noticed something else. He was checking her out. Superman was checking her out, Dinah thought.

She blushed a little and stared at the numbers, which seemed to be moving incredibly slowly. She wasn't sure what to do about this new knowledge. She'd known him for several years but he'd never seemed to look at her that way before. She'd just always assumed he wasn't interested, but now she was rethinking that. He'd definitely been checking me out, Dinah thought. Furtively she looked over at him out of the corner of her eyes. He must have sensed this, as his eyes snapped back to the numbers above the door.

Well, if he can look, so can I she thought. Trying to be a subtle as she could, she let her eyes moved over him. The cape covered most of body, but she had seen him enough times to know he was in incredible shape. Her eyes shifted up to his chiseled features and she had to admit he was gorgeous. She'd certainly noticed that before too.

If he's checking me out, does that mean he's interested, she suddenly wondered? He's never given any hint to being attracted to me before, she thought. Well, he probably knew I was going out with Ollie so figured I was off limits, she surmised. He's a gentleman. Maybe he'd heard they weren't going out any more, she thought. He probably is interested, she thought. Well, that's interesting she admitted, a smile coming to her face. Wasn't I just telling myself that if Ollie wants to move on, so should I? No time like the present Dinah. She turned and faced him. He seemed to reluctantly look away from the numbers and at her.

"You were checking me out, Clark,' she stated.

"What? I, no, that wasn't really,' he stumbled to deny it, but the look on her face told him he was caught. "Okay, yeah, I was."

"So you like what you see?' She asked with a teasing smile.

"You're a beautiful woman, Dinah,' he admitted.

"You're not so bad yourself, Clark."

"Um, thanks."

He was a bit confused as to where this was going and a bit nervous about it as well. When she took a step closer to him he suddenly realized he was already pressed against the wall and there wasn't anywhere to go. Wow, that outfit looks like it was painted out, he absently thought. Damn it, I was checking her out again!

"You heard about Ollie and I breaking up, didn't you, Clark?' She asked, taking a step closer.

"Ye-Yes."

"I thought so,' she replied with a bigger smile.

"Maybe it's just a temporary thing, Dinah, I'm sure you two will work something out,' he offered, hoping the elevator would speed up and he could escape.

"I don' think so this time, Clark,' she replied. Her smile slipped a little at the thought. "Is that what made you hesitate?"

He wasn't sure what she meant by that.

"Excuse me?"

Dinah took a step closer and smiled at him.

"The answer would be yes, if that makes it easier,' she said to him.

"Makes what easier?"

"Asking me out,' she replied. "I'd be happy to go out with you, Clark. How about tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Yeah, what do you say?"

"I can't!" He immediately replied. Scrambling for a reason he went with the first one that came to his mind. "I've-I've got to attend a banquet on Themyscira. They're allies you know. Can't really miss it. Work, work, work, what are you going to do?"

"Okay, I understand,' she replied. He almost let out a sigh of relief as the elevator finally dinged that they had reached their floor. Just as the doors started to open, Dinah moved closer to him again.

"So Saturday night, then,' she whispered. "I'll see you at eight. You know where I live don't you?"

"Well, yes, but…"

"Okay, I'll see you then, Clark, it's a date!"

Before he could reply she was out of the elevator and walking away. Clark just stood there watching her. Damn, she looks as good walking away as she does walking towards me. I'm doing it again, he groaned to himself; I'm checking her out. Now I have a date with her too.

"Shit, this is going to be a long night."