JL: The Newest Recruit

Part Three:

First Date

A date? With Diana? Clark couldn't believe it. Clark refused to believe it.

"You have a date with Diana?" Flash couldn't be serious. He had to be joking. Yes. That's it. It was all a joke. Flash jokes all the time. Clark even forced a laugh. "Very funny, Flash."

"I'm totally serious, Supes. Diana was talking about her trip to Greece when I told her she should see 'Hercules in New York'."

"You didn't." Clark couldn't believe Flash said that. "Of all the movies that has a Greece theme to it, you would suggest THAT movie? What about Jason and the Argonauts? Clash of the Titans or Hercules Unleashed would've been better."

"Come on, Supes. The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger! He's like the biggest star on the planet!"

"Ten years ago maybe," Clark scoffed.

"I told her it will be the perfect movie for her to see: a mythical being coming to our world. It's just like her. Diana wants to see it."

Clark still couldn't believe he was hearing this. "You have this movie on DVD?"

"Yeah, but I told her I know the owner of a small theater outside of Keystone City. He owes me a favor. I told Diana I could take her and she agreed."

"And that's how you got your date?" Clark asked.

Flash grinned. "Yes!"

Diana didn't understand what she was getting into Clark thought. Flash tricked her into a date. She probably didn't know she was going on one! "So, when are you guys going out?"

"Tomorrow night. I'm striking this when the iron's hot!" Flash said eagerly. "I'm not going to wait until she backs out of it! I gotta get back to Earth. I gotta prepare for our date!" Flash got on the teleport pad. "Beam me down, J'onn."

Clark waited until Flash disappeared before speaking. "The nerve of Flash. Taking advantage of Diana's innocence."

"Diana may have unwittingly agreed to this not knowing this is a date but I think Diana can take care of herself if Flash tries anything inappropriate." J'onn said. He didn't need to read Clark's mind to know he was not happy about this.

Clark wasn't paying attention to what J'onn as he said, "And just how is Flash preparing for his date? I have to get back to Earth." Clark didn't wait to teleport himself. He raced out of the Watchtower.

Diana entered the room only to see a red and blue blur leave. "J'onn, was that Superman?"

"Yes, but he had to leave."

"Emergency?" Diana asked.

J'onn could see the concern on Diana's face. "No, he just stopped by for a few minutes before taking care of some business."

Diana frowned. She thought it was strange he didn't see her. He always did when he came to the Watchtower. "Oh. I know he's not scheduled to be here tonight but I was hoping to talk to him about my trip to Greece. I wanted to thank him again for making arrangements with the Greece government to allow me to see the ruins in private. There's so much I want to share with him."

J'onn smiled to himself as he was confirmed nothing would happen between her and Flash. Too bad Clark was too blind to see this. "Maybe you will have the chance some other time."

Diana smiled. "You're right. I think Superman's on schedule tomorrow night. Maybe I'll see him after I go to the movies with Flash. Thanks, J'onn."

J'onn turned his attention back to the task at hand and chuckled to himself, "Earthlings."

****

Superman was not in a good mood when he entered the Watchtower the next day. He was in the kitchen stewing as he drunk a can of soda. He was still angry at what he saw Flash buy when he was in Keystone City yesterday. Like Batman, Clark knew Flash was Wally West but kept the information to himself. The first place he spotted Wally going to was the mall, buying cologne. The next place Wally went to made Clark's eyes burn red. He spotted Wally go into an erotic shop buying condoms and erotic shaped scented candles.

Just the thought of it made a sickening image come to his mind.

Wally and Diana were in his apartment lying in his bed content after another round of lovemaking. Scented erotic candles were lit around the room creating a soft glow. After a healthy sigh from both, Wally suddenly rolled on Diana and planted kisses along Diana's neck.

"Oh, Wally, that feels so good," Diana moaned. "Mmm, I'm so glad I left Themyscira. I never knew what I was missing. I never knew being with a man had so much to offer. I don't why Shayera thinks it's wrong of you being the fastest man alive. I think it's a great thing!"

Wally smiled at Diana with a wicked glint in his eyes. "I told you I could teach you about the world."

"You certainly did," she sighed as Wally continued planting kisses on Diana going lower. "And I love the smell of your cologne. What is it?"

Wally locked eyes with Diana. "Come Get Me."

"I most certainly will," Diana said pulling Wally close to her and kissing him hotly on the mouth.

"Ready for round twenty?" Wally asked.

"I am," Diana eagerly admitted, "But didn't we finish off the last of those condoms?"

"Yeah, but it's much better going bare anyway."

"Oh, why didn't you say so!" Diana rolled over and pinned Wally beneath her. "Can we do what that candle is doing?" Diana asked indicating an erotic image of two candles.

"That's illegal in forty-eight states," Wally said. "All right!"

"Clark?"

Clark turned and saw Diana in the doorway of the kitchen. "Diana." She was dressed in a pair of blue jeans and white off-shoulder tunic. He bought that for her and she was going to wear it on her date with Flash.

"Are you all right?" Diana asked approaching him. "What happened?"

Clark looked at his hand and saw the can in his hand was crushed to pieces. "Sometimes I forget how strong I am," Clark tried to joked. He dumped the pieces in the trash and grabbed a paper towel to wipe the spilled soda off the counter and floor.

"Sometimes I have that trouble, too. You wouldn't believe how many light bulbs I've broken. I'm glad you're here. I want to tell you about my trip to Greece."

Clark tossed the towels in the trash. "Oh. Well, I've got time. I'm here all night."

"I would share my trip with you now but I'm leaving in a few minutes with Flash to see a movie. Perhaps, we can talk when I get back," Diana said hopefully.

"Sure," Clark cheerfully responded. "I'm not going anywhere."

Flash entered the room. He took one look at Diana and whistled. "Wow. You are looking hot, Diana."

Diana, now understanding some of the lingo, responded with a smile. "Thank you. Are you ready to leave?" She caught a whiff of the cologne Flash was wearing. "What is that smell?"

Superman was opening the refrigerator door to get another can of soda when Flash said, "My new cologne. It's call, 'Come Get Me'."

The refrigerator door was suddenly ripped off its hinges. Diana and Flash turned to Superman.

"Whoa, Supes! Ate your Wheaties this morning?" Flash joked.

"You know me," Superman tried to joke. "Sometimes I forget how strong I am."

Flash ignored him as he focused his attention on Diana again. "Let's go before he sneezes and blow us away. "See ya, Supes!"

Batman entered to see Flash and Diana leave. He did a double take at the pair leaving before spotting Superman fix the refrigerator door with his heat vision. Clark looked at Batman when he was finished. "What is it, Bruce?"

"Nothing," Batman said aware of Clark's sharp tone. "I just came for a snack."

"Kitchen's yours," Clark said leaving. Clark knew Bruce's mind was already working on his behavior and what he saw with Flash and Diana but he didn't have time to think about that. He had to spy on Flash and Diana.

****

There weren't a lot of people at the small theater Flash picked to view 'Hercules in New York.' Diana looked around in curiosity while Flash paid for their tickets. Three people behind them was Clark, but he wasn't dressed as Clark Kent or Superman. He wore jeans and a T-shirt but he also wore a ball cap and a fake beard with his glasses. He paid for his ticket and walked inside.

Clark stood in the back of the lobby shaking his head at Wally going on his date with Diana as Flash instead of changing into civilian clothes. Diana wasn't wearing her uniform. Why couldn't Wally do the same? Thankfully, since there was hardly anyone in the small theater, no one noticed Diana as Wonder Woman in regular clothes. The few men there would stare at her while they ignored Flash since he was a regular to this place.

Clark followed the two to the refreshment stand and listened as Diana and Flash ordered their food. "I'll take two jumbo buckets of popcorn, large nachos, a big box of Skittles, Snickers and three jumbo cola sodas." He turned to Diana. "Do you want anything?"

Diana was nonplussed Flash would order so much "No, thank you."

Flash shrugged. "Suit yourself."

After Flash got his order he and Diana walked inside the theater. One other person followed them before Clark decided to go inside. Who else would see this movie Clark wondered. He saw Flash and Diana taking a seat in the middle. Clark sat five rows behind them. Looking around, Clark saw there were only four people in the theater.

Throughout most of the movie, Flash behaved. He laughed and belched too loudly but he wasn't touching Diana. A few times Flash had to leave, probably to relieve himself after drinking so much soda. Near the end of the movie, Clark saw Flash performing one of the lamest moves ever: faking a yawn so he could put his arms around Diana. Clark rolled his eyes. Diana being Diana wouldn't notice it. Maybe it wouldn't bother her if Flash did put his arms around her but it bothered Clark. Flash put his arms in the air yawning and as his left arm was about to rest on Diana's shoulder, Clark blew his breath and Flash's hand smack Diana on the back of her head.

"Ow!" Diana touched her head and looked at Flash. "Why did you do that?"

"I…I.." Flash tried to explain. "I didn't mean to. I was trying to put my arm around you and it hit your head." Flash looked at his hand. "I don't know how that happened. Something pushed my hand." Flash looked behind him but he didn't see anyone.

Diana looked as well. "No one is behind us and why were you trying to put your arm around me?"

"Uh…I…. thought you might like it?" Flash laughed nervously.

"Well, I prefer you didn't do that," Diana said and turned back to the movie.

Flash turned as well and folded his arms as he watched the rest of the movie in disappointment. Strike one with Diana.

Clark who was ducking behind the seats, checked to see Diana and Flash were watching the movie again. Flash wouldn't try anything now. As soon as the movie was over, Clark slipped out and waited in the lobby for them to come out.

"So, how did you like the movie?" Clark heard Flash asked Diana.

"I didn't like the movie," Diana said honestly. "It was completely inaccurate of Heracles and the Gods. I do not have fond thoughts of Heracles but I must say I am insulted for him at his portrayal by that actor. I do not see how you thought I would like this movie."

"So nothing was funny?" Flash asked.

"No, it wasn't."

Strike two. Flash quickly tried to think of something to keep this date going because it was going south fast. "Let me make it up to you to, Diana. Let me take you to Studio 21. It's in Metropolis."

"What's that?"

"It's this great place," Flash praised. "You meet a lot of fun people. They have some great food, music and dancing."

"Dancing?" Diana lit up. "I like to dance."

Studio 21?! Clark clenched his fists in anger and his eyes turned red again. Studio 21 has been compared to the Studio 54 of the 1970s. All types of things went on there: heavy drinking, drugs, dancing, people who had sex with anyone. There were rumors of threesomes and foursomes taking place in that club and Flash was going to take Diana there?! Clark saw Flash run to Metropolis while Diana followed him from the sky. Clark waited a minute before following them.

If Flash tries anything…. Hell with that! If *anyone* tries anything…. Clark eyes burned red. For their safety, they better not try anything.

There was a long line of people waiting outside Studio 21. Flash and Diana easily got in. Clark was five people behind them. He ditched the beard and ball cap, knowing that would lessen his chances of getting inside. When Clark waited for his turn, a tall, bulking man stood in front of him. He was two inches shorter than Clark but he gave him a look that would intimidate others but not him.

"No. You can't get in."

"I have to get inside," Clark said.

The bouncer shook his head. "No. You're not cool enough to get in here."

"A guy in there is gonna take advantage of an innocent woman!" Clark argued.

The bouncer snorted. "It won't be the first time that happens."

Desperate and not thinking straight, Clark grabbed the guy by the collar of his jacket and lifts him several feet off the ground with one hand. Clark's eyes glowed red as he said, "I won't ask twice!"

The bouncer looked as if he was going to wet his pants. "Okay. Okay. Go in."

Clark lowered the man back on the ground. "Thanks." Clark moved through the crowd of clubbers looking for Diana and Flash. The music was loud and voices were everywhere. Clark used his sharp hearing to single them all out listening for Diana and Flash.

"It's a little loud!" Clark heard Diana say. She was ahead of him by five feet. Clark moved through the crowd but keeping a safe distance.

"It's always like this!" Flash was standing in front of her dancing. He was throwing his hands up and moving his hips suggestively. "Come on! You said you dance on the island?"

"Yes, but not like this!" Diana said. The sounds of the loud music were growing increasingly distracting. The instrumental music Diana danced to on Themyscira was nothing like the hip hop music playing in the club.

"Do you want something to drink?" Flash offered. "It may help you loosen up to the music."

"I don't see how but I'll take a glass of water.

"Stay here. I'll be back."

Flash walked over to the bar and Clark rolled his eyes. He was leaving Diana alone? What the hell? Clark kept an eye on her. If Flash wasn't going to, he certainly was. Someone bumped into Diana from behind. Diana turned and was confronted with a guy: tall, nice looking, with muscles threatening to break out of his shirt. He looked Diana over.

"Well, hello," he smiled. "I'm Michael."

"Hello," Diana said. She resisted the urge to put a hand over her mouth. This man's breath smelled worse than horse dung. "I'm Diana."

"Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?" the man flirted.

"I don't think it's possible to fall in love at first sight," Diana said innocently.

"There are two hundred and sixty-five bones in the human body. How would you like one more?"

"Where would it go?" Diana innocently asked.

Michael laughed. Was she seriously this naïve? He was going to have fun with this pretty lady. Unfortunately for Michael, he was unaware of a Kryptonian staring at him with his red eyes flashing occasionally.

"If I told you that you have a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?"

"No," Diana answered unaware of the implication.

"How about I get you a drink? We can find a table and get to know each other better."

"No, thank you. A friend of mine is bringing me something."

"That's cool. We can dance a little bit until he gets here." He grabbed Diana's hand and pulled her further in the dance floor. He danced suggestively before Diana thrusting towards her and shaking his hips, which caused the Princess of Themyscira's sharp eyebrows to rise in confusion. Michael turned his back on her. "Tap my ass."

Diana's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

Michael pointed to his rear end. "Come on. Tap it. Slap it."

"No."

Michael grabbed her arm. "C'mon. It's fun."

Diana yanked her hand away. "No!"

Michael grabbed her again, firmly this time. Clark was about to stepped forward but Diana took care of it. She tossed Michael on his back and walked off in search for Flash.

Diana found Flash at the bar chatting with the bartender. "Flash, I would like--"

Flash turned to her with drinks. "I got the drinks. Let's find a table."

They moved around the people until they found an empty table. When Flash and Diana sat down, he gave Diana her glass. "Here you go. So, what do you think of this place? Are you having fun?"

Diana knew Flash was trying to show her what was fun to him in hopes she would like it but she didn't. She was honest but kind when she said, "It's very loud and distracting." Diana took the glass and was about to drink it when the scent wafting from the glass wasn't water. She immediately lowered it back on the table. "This isn't water."

"It's a martini. I thought you'd like it. It tastes better than water."

"Maybe but I wanted water."

Diana looked annoyed and Flash felt this was strike number three. At the way they were going, there was no way they were going back to his place. Flash knew it was a stretch buying condoms but he didn't see anything wrong in being prepared. He was hoping to get a kiss at least and if he couldn't get that at his place, he was going to try here at the club. "Hey, you wanna know how to drown the noise?"

"Leave?" Diana suggested.

"I have a trick. Close your eyes and think of a calm, serene place."

Diana did so. Closing her eyes, she thought of Themyscira. "Then what?"

Flash grinned wickedly. He may have a broken face in the morning but it will be so worth it to kiss Diana. "Just keep thinking," Flash urge and leaned closer.

Clark's eyes turned red as it melted the legs of Flash's chair. Flash fell back and crashed on the floor. Diana opened her eyes and saw Flash falling back on the floor.

"Flash!" Diana went to him. "Are you all right?"

Flash sat up and rubbed the back of his head. "I think so. Dumb chair broke on me."

"Flash, I'd like to leave."

"Really? We just got here." Flash said as Diana help him stand.

"This is something you like to do so you can stay, but I will leave." Flash started to say something but Diana silenced him. "No. I don't want you to leave on my account. Stay here and have fun. I'll see you on the Watchtower."

"What about the rest of our date?" Flash whined.

"Date?" Diana repeated. "You thought this was a date? That was not my interpretation. I'm sorry if you thought it was."

Instead of being down his 'date' with Diana was over, Flash decided to look on the bright side. At least he got to spend some time alone with Diana. "Nah. Don't be sorry," Flash said. "I was making this more into what it was."

"Will you be all right then?" Diana asked.

"Yeah. Go on to the Watchtower," Flash urged. "I'll find someone to keep me occupied. There are plenty of hotties here."

Mission Accomplished Clark smugly thought as he immediately left the club. He went to the nearest alley and changed into Superman. He sent a message to J'onn requesting he get teleported to the Watchtower.

Seconds later, Clark arrived in the Watchtower. "Thanks, J'onn."

"You usually fly in on your own accord," J'onn said.

"It was an emergency I get here as soon as possible," Clark explained just as Batman entered the room.

"Emergency?" Batman questioned. "It's been quiet all night."

Neither J'onn nor Clark responded as J'onn answered Diana's call to be teleported to the Watchtower. Diana saw Clark and smiled. "Superman, I'm glad you're still here."

Clark knew Batman was watching him in curiosity but he ignored him. "Actually, I was just leaving."

"Oh." Diana seem disappointed. "Are you going home? I thought you would be here a little longer."

"I'm going to spend some time at my home in the artic."

"You have a home in the artic?" Diana didn't know that. "Why?"

"Privacy. If you still want to talk, you can come if you like," Clark offered.

Diana smiled. "Yes. I would like that."

Clark typed in the specific coordinates that would take him fifty miles from the Fortress. He and Diana stood on the teleport pad and within seconds they were gone.

Batman approached J'onn. "Didn't Superman just arrive?"

"Yes," J'onn answered with a smile.

"But he let Diana think he has been here a while?"

"Yes."

Batman thought about that for a moment. "I see. Well, I'm up to date."

J'onn shook his head at the amusement of it all.

****

Diana was in awe of Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Touring his home in the artic just added another layer of mystery and allure to Superman. Clark showed her all the rooms of the private fortress including a room Clark where kept a statue of his Kryptonian parents, his alien zoo, his laboratory, weapons room, training room, a room dedicated to alien artifacts he collected during his space adventures including his much larger trophy room.

"Your home is impressive," Diana remarked as they concluded the tour in his kitchen. "How long did it take you to do all this?"

"It took a few years to get where it is today. When I first started, it was just one ice room with a few polar bears as company. Once a week, I would come here and add stuff or carve out the ice to make room for more things I wanted to add. Actually, it's gotten bigger than I imagined it would be." Clark opened the refrigerator. "Do you want anything? I made some smores the other day but I was called away before I had a chance to eat any. We can have it with some ice cream."

"Smores?" Diana said unfamiliar with the term.

Clark pulled the pan out of the refrigerator and placed it before Diana who was sitting at the kitchen bar. "It's graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallow melted. It's great with ice cream."

Diana looked at the dish. It looked tempting. "I'll try it."

Clark went to the cabinet to get bowls, spoons and a knife when Diana suddenly asked. "Why do you call this place Fortress of Solitude? It sounds as if you are alone."

"I am the last son of Krypton and this home I built, well, it let's me be myself. I don't have to think about being Superman or Clark Kent. I can be Kal-El of Krypton. I don't have to worry about hurting someone if I use too much strength. I can study my world, Krypton, take care of other species that are the last of their kind."

Thinking of Clark being alone sadden Diana. She wanted to tell him he wasn't alone, that he had her but the words wouldn't leave her mouth. She didn't understand why it was difficult to say that.

Clark sat beside Diana. He used his heat vision to warm up the smores before cutting it and fixing a bowl of smores and ice cream for Diana and one for himself. He waited until Diana took a bite and give her opinion.

"It's delicious," Diana remarked and took another spoonful.

The conversation soon changed from the Fortress of Solitude to Diana's trip to Greece and how humbling it was to be in the city the Gods, her mother and Amazon Sisters once were. It was relaxing for Diana to share her thoughts with Clark for she thought he understood where she was coming from better than anyone else in the League. Diana went on to tell Superman about her 'date' with Flash.

"Can you believe him?" Diana asked incredulous. "Flash actually thought it was a date."

Clark half rolled his eyes. "You know Flash."

"In my understanding of dates, the parties involve have a mutual attraction to each other. I like Flash as my ally but nothing beyond that."

Clark was relieved more than he wanted to admit by that confession. Still, he couldn't help but ask, "Have you thought about going on a date?"

"No. I haven't even considered going on one," Diana admitted honestly. "I never thought about it. Must be my upbringing." She was sad to admit that. "What do you do on a date?"

"Me?" Clark voice was a little shrilled.

"You've lived here all your life. I'm sure you've gone on one."

"Oh, well, yeah," Clark said. Suddenly, he thought of Lois. They were dating, sort of. "The first thing I do is make sure my date knows we're on a date. As a first date, we might go to a movie or dinner where we would talk to get to know each other better."

"How I envy you."

"What?"

"I envy you." Diana looked sad as she admitted. "We're both adults and you've experience things I've yet to discover. Spending all my life on Themyscira, I was sheltered from many things: interacting with males, a date, a kiss. It's embarrassing to admit I do not know things the average adult, the average teenager knows about. My mother and Sisters haven't lived in this world for centuries but they still know more about this world than I do. Maybe it's why I haven't gone home yet. I know my mother is worried, probably angry with me. She might force me to stay on Themyscira if I return but I want to stay here longer."

"No matter the outcome. You know you have to go home," Clark told her.

Diana nodded. "I know, but for now I'll stay here."

Diana was smiling as she and Clark finished off the last of the smores. She had come to a decision. Before going back to Themyscira, Diana decided she would like to go on a date and it would be with Clark.