JL: The Newest Recruit:

Part Eleven

White Christmas

Superman stood in his room in disbelief of what happened. He and Diana kissed. And what a kiss! He was still reeling from it. He never kissed anyone like that before. He never kissed anyone for that *long*. A human would've passed out long before he and Diana pulled away.

Diana put her feelings out to him in the kiss. She knew it couldn't be returned because he was with Lois but she still took the risk and told him. It was up to him to decide where to take this.

Clark cleaned up: shaving his beard, cutting the hair and putting on a new suit. Diana was gone from the Watchtower, probably leaving right after the kiss. He thought of going to Boston but decided not to. Diana would need time to process this like him.

Superman flew to Metropolis where his parents and Kara were. He was met with hugs and kisses and answered his parents and Kara's questions on what happened to him. Martha almost didn't let him leave for work the next day.

Everyone in the office was still down when Clark returned to work but by lunchtime everyone was in good spirits once they saw Superman patrolling the skies again.

Clark was happy to see Lois again, but it wasn't the same anymore. When he was in the alternate future, he had a lot to think about in his life and the things he didn't take a chance on had more affect on him than the things he did. He thought more of what he missed with Diana while with Lois and Kara's conversation with him in the Fortress really put things in perspective. He knew what he had to do.

Tonight he would see Lois and tell her it was over.

****

After seeing Superman in the skies in Metropolis, Lois knew he would stop by her place tonight. She couldn't wait to see him again. She took his death harder than anyone else. Sure everyone thought she was emotional because she had a crush on him but it was more than that. She loved him, saw him secretly and couldn't share her relationship with the world.

A light gust of wind blew behind her. Lois turned and saw Superman in her apartment. "Superman!" Lois ran into his arms and gave him a big kiss. Clark couldn't help but think about Diana's kiss and how her passion was much stronger and affected him more deeply.

"Oh, I was so scared I lost you," Lois cried and Superman held her until her tears stopped.

"It's all right. I'm fine. I made it back."

"You have to tell me all about it." As Superman told her what happened to him, Lois couldn't keep her arms off Superman. She had to keep touching him to make sure he was really there.

When he finished his story, Lois said, "I'm just glad you're back." She started kissing him again but Superman put his hands on Lois, stopping her. "Lois, let's not do this."

"Why not?" Lois strokes his face. "After what happened, don't you think we should step up our relationship? You nearly died."

This was not going to be easy but he was ready for the consequences. This had gone on too long and it was his fault. "Lois, we have to talk."

Lois moved back, not liking how this sounded. "I don't think I'm going to like this."

No, she wasn't. "Lois, there's things about me you don't know--"

"Tell me," Lois pleaded. "I'm ready. You know I will keep quiet about it. Won't you give me a chance?"

"Lois, it's not that. Even if I told you my secret, there will be problems between us." He sighed heavily. He was not good at things like this. He couldn't be blunt but he also couldn't sugarcoat it either. "The feelings I had for you aren't the same anymore. It's different."

Lois inhaled sharply. "Are you… are you dumping me?"

There was no way to make this easy. "I had a lot to think about when I was in the future and I see now we've gone all we can with our relationship. It's my fault, not yours," he assured her. "There are too many problems and only more will arise if we continue this way."

"It's Wonder Woman, isn't it?" Lois completely pulled away so she was no longer touching him. "You're dumping me for her!"

"Lois--"

"It's true! Don't deny it! You're making an excuse to dump me so you can be with her." Lois clenched her fists, her lips twisted in an unpleasant snarl. "After all we've been through together, you toss me aside for a hooker in a swim suit and high heel boots!"

"Hooker? No, Lois--"

Lois didn't let him speak. She spewed her anger at him. "I came to your rescue when Lobo was kicking your ass! I saved you by hiding that Kryptonite when you were getting beat down by a mechanical dinosaur. I damaged my car when Metallo was after was with you. I put my reputation as a reporter on the line when I defended you after Darkseid set you loose on the planet and you are going to dump *me*?!" Lois shook her head maddeningly. There was no way she was going to let him dump her. "I've had it with *you*! I thought almost dying would give you a different perspective and have you finally confess to me but I see I was wrong." Lois pointed to her window. "Get out! I don't want to deal with you anymore!"

Superman knew it wasn't going to be easy but he didn't predict this outcome. Superman left Lois's apartment without another word. It was better this way he told himself. He just wish it hadn't gotten so ugly.

From her secluded isle, Circe watches the event through her large crystal ball. Her attention was focus on Lois. The reporter was furious at this outcome. Circe decided to keep a closer eye on her. "Hmm, I could use this to my advantage. All in due time of course."

****

"Jingle bells Batman smells Robin lays an egg. The Batmobile lost his wheel and Joker got away," Flash sang as he put decorations in the Watchtower's control room.

It was Christmas time and Flash was all cheer he decorated the Watchtower with Christmas decorations. Flash put mistletoes over each door in the Watchtower hoping to get a kiss from Hawkgirl or Diana. As soon as he put it up, it was taken down by Green Lantern, Batman or Superman.

Still, that wasn't going to stop him from enjoying the holiday.

Diana entered the control room with Batman. She looked at all the decorations Flash had put up. "I don't think Batman would appreciate you singing that song."

"Oh, come on, Diana. It's a classic. It's not like Batman gonna hear me." He turned and saw Batman standing next to Diana. "Oh, hi Batman."

Batman pulled a wreath down. "Christmas decorations shouldn't be in the control room, hanger, gym, or any place where work is done. Leave this stuff in the kitchen or your bedroom," Batman growled. "And no more mistletoes!"

"Talk about a scrooge," Flash grumbled. "You're just mad you were caught under the mistletoe with J'onn." A wreath hit Flash across his face. "It's not like you guys actually kissed!"

"This stuff better be down in one hour," Batman threatened and left the room.

"Someone's getting a lump of coal from Santa," Flash said and begin taking the decoration down.

Superman entered the room. He saw Flash taking the decorations down and Diana was helping Flash.

They haven't spoken of the kiss since it happened nearly a month ago. Of course they haven't seen each other much. Their shifts rarely had them working together often to begin with, but when they were, they worked and talked as if nothing's changed in their relationship. However, there would be times Clark would catch Diana watching him and she would catch him staring at her. The only other difference was Diana calling him 'Kal'. Only Batman seem to take a curious interest as to why Diana was suddenly calling him 'Kal'.

Clark hadn't told Diana about his breakup with Lois. He didn't want to rush into one relationship after ending another so soon. He wanted to wait until the right time. Speaking of Lois, she wasn't taking the breakup good. She cut back on her coverage of Superman, even giving some stories to Cat and himself, increasing his workload. It was subtle but every time Lois wrote a story about Superman there was a slight stab at him. This made Clark even more grateful Lois never found out his secret.

"Hey, Supes!" Flash greeted Superman.

Superman grinned at Flash. "I told you not to put the decorations in here."

"Yeah, but even I thought Bat 'Scrooge' Man would have some Christmas cheer. Can you believe he's working the shift here on Christmas Eve?" Flash shook his head. "How sad, but what's even worse Diana is working here, too."

Clark was taken back by that news. "Really?"

"Christmas is a holiday to you but it's another day for me," Diana explained. "I was going to have a quiet evening at home, but then I thought my time would be better suited working on Christmas Eve and Christmas like J'onn and I did last year. It was quiet and J'onn and I had a nice evening together. Batman's insisting he wants to work Christmas Eve alone but I'll be here anyway. You never know what may come up."

Flash sighed, "You hear that, Superman? That's just sad." He put the decorations in a box and carried them out of the room.

Once Flash left, Clark said, "No one should be working on Christmas. Spend Christmas with me and my family in Smallville."

"I don't want to impose."

"You can never impose. J'onn is going, too. Please." And to add on the sympathy, Clark said, "My parents really want to see you again."

Diana liked the Kents and she wouldn't mind seeing them again, too. "It would be interesting to take part in this holiday as everyone else. I never celebrated Christmas before." Diana touched his arm looking at him seriously, "Kal, are you sure this is okay?"

Clark knew what Diana was thinking. He nodded with an affirmative smile. "Diana, it's just fine."

Diana smiled. "Then I accept your invitation."

****

Diana looked over at J'onn as they followed Clark to his Smallville home. She never saw J'onn look so nervous. He'll be fine she told herself. The Kents were very nice people and would welcome J'onn just as they welcomed her. Diana looked ahead at Clark as he flew carrying too big boxes, gifts for his parents. She was curious to be celebrating the holiday of Christmas for the first time and observed humans take part in it. Diana never heard of Christmas until she arrived in Man's World and when she was shopping for a present for the Kents and Clark, she needed a sales clerk to help her.

Smallville was covered in a thick blanket of snow and Clark's home was a mile from the nearest neighbor. It was the perfect place for the Man of Steel to grow up. He could fly or practice his powers without any curious neighbors looking.

All three landed on the walkway leading up to the house. J'onn confessed, "This is a bad idea."

"There's no way I was going to leave you alone on Christmas Eve with Batman," Clark said. "You'll love this. Trust me."

Martha who saw her son and his friends walking up to the house opened the door. "Clark!"

Martha and Jonathon hugged their son. "Hi, Ma. Pa. Merry Christmas."

Martha looked at her son. He felt a little lighter. "Have you been eating?"

"Oh, Ma," Clark groaned.

"Good to see you son," Jonathon said.

"I brought presents and a couple of friends." Clark stepped in.

Since J'onn was too nervous to go first, Diana stepped forward. "Hello again. I brought gifts as well."

"It's wonderful to see you, dear," Martha greeted Diana with a hug and Jonathon followed in the greeting.

"You didn't have to bring gifts," Jonathon told Diana.

J'onn stepped forward to introduce himself. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Kent. I hope I'm not intruding. Super--Clark insisted I join you for holiday. My name is J'onn. I'm a Martian."

"Oh, we're no strangers to aliens in our house," Jonathon welcomed J'onn and pulled him inside.

Diana placed her gifts in a chair and Clark helped Diana out of her wool winter coat. "Thank you, Kal."

"Kal?" Martha inquired with a smile.

Clark hung his and Diana's coats on the coat rack. "She likes to call me by my Kryptonian name. So, where's Kara?"

"Skiing with Barbara. She'll be back for New Year's," Martha explained.

"Diana can take Kara's room and J'onn can bunk in the basement. I turned that into a guestroom," Jonathon said.

"I'll show it to you," Clark said leaving Diana alone with his parents.

"We're glad you're able to come for Christmas. We wanted you to come for Thanksgiving but Clark said you were working."

"I thought that should be a special time just for family since Clark came back from being dead."

"You're family to us," Martha said.

Jonathon Kent picked up Diana's bag. "Come on, Diana. I'll show you to your room."

"Pa, I can take Diana's bag to her room," Clark said returning from the basement.

"Just because I'm old, doesn't mean I can't carry a lady's bag to her room."

Martha cleared her throat. "Jonathon, I think it would best if Clark takes Diana to her room."

Jonathon looked at his wife confused then caught on. "Oh, yeah." He gave the bag to Clark. "You do that, son." He winked at him.

Clark could feel a blush coming on. "Um, follow me, Diana."

Diana followed Clark to Kara's room. Her purple painted walls had a boy band's poster on it. Her bed still had stuffed animals on it. It was the typical teenage girl's bedroom. "You didn't have to carry my bag up here, Kal."

"Old habits die hard," Clark said with a smile.

"Hey, guys!" Jonathon called from downstairs. "It's time to decorate the tree! I call lighting the Christmas tree!"

A look of horror crossed Clark's face and he ran out of the room. "Pa! That's my job!"

Diana giggled. Spending Christmas with Clark was going to be interesting indeed. Diana walked out of the room and returned downstairs. Martha was helping J'onn with decorating the tree. Jonathon and Clark were decorating, too and Clark was pleading with his father to turn on the lights. Diana grabbed a box of ornaments and joined in. Clark won out and was allowed to light up the tree, but Clark sulked quietly when he couldn't put up the star. That honor was given to Diana.

"I must admit I've never seen this side of Clark before," J'onn observed seeing the childlike joy on his face as the Christmas tree lit up.

Diana only smiled, feeling more drawn to this side of Clark. "You should spend more time with Kal outside his suit. He's very relaxed, very different."

"Dinner should be ready now," Martha announced. "Let's eat."

After a lovely dinner with the Kents, Martha served hot chocolate as Martha and Jonathon shared stories of Clark as a kid. "I tell you this boy was excited for Christmas. We had to line his gifts in lead foil so he couldn't peep."

J'onn and Diana laughed at Clark. "You mean Santa lined them," Clark corrected his father.

J'onn and Diana exchanged curious looks.

"Of course, dear," Martha said kindly and shared a smile with her husband. "J'onn, Clark tells us you're on you own and we don't let anyone leave the house without taking a present home."

"But I didn't get you anything," J'onn told Martha as he received the box from her.

Martha smiled kindly at the Martian. "Your company is the only present we need."

J'onn opened the box and pulled out a sweater. He put it on and it was very loose on him.

"Oh, dear. I didn't know it would be too big."

J'onn smiled and swell himself to fit the sweater. "I can grow into it."

"We have a present for you, Diana." Jonathon said.

"If it's all right, I'll wait until Christmas morning," Diana requested.

"Okay. Speaking of Christmas, I think it's time for someone's favorite holiday special," Jonathon grinned.

Clark looked at the clock on the wall. "A Charlie Brown Christmas is coming on in a few minutes." Clark jumped from his seat. "Come on, Diana."

Diana not knowing what he was talking about, got up and followed him. Along with J'onn, they sat on the sofa watching the Christmas Special. Diana was amused at the excitement on Clark's face on watching a cartoon more than the program itself. Diana had to admit Snoopy was entertaining and the dances the children were doing in the auditorium were fun to watch but she wasn't as entertained as Clark was.

When the program ended, J'onn walked around the house, probably looking for the cat he scared off earlier. Diana saw Clark looking at the kitchen where his parents were washing dishes. He got on the floor before the Christmas tree and start looking through the boxes.

Diana joined him by the tree. "What are you doing?"

"Looking to see what I got," Clark groaned and put the box down. "Lead." He picked up another one. "Lead again." He picked up a third. "Oh, man."

Diana reached for her gift and put it behind her. Clark smiled at her mischievous at her. "Is that my gift?"

"I have to borrow something from your parents," Diana said getting up.

"Come on. I just want to peek."

Diana smiled playfully at him. "Then look through my clothes."

Clark frowned at her. "You know I won't do that." He grinned and ran behind her in a blur. "But I can get behind you."

Diana turned around facing him. "Kal, stop that."

He got behind her again. "No. Now let me see."

Diana turned and started to run but Clark blocked her. "You're not getting by until I see my present."

"No." Diana placed her wrapped gift on the floor, letting Clark think she was going to fight him but Diana kicked the box back forcing it to slide in the kitchen. Clark started to go after it but Diana stopped him.

Jonathon and Martha saw the gift slide into the kitchen. "What the?" Jonathon picked up the box.

Diana screamed and Martha stepped out of the kitchen. "Oh, my. Clark, what are you doing to Diana?!"

Clark had Diana tossed over his shoulder. Diana was playfully hitting Clark's back with her fists. Both stop and looked embarrassed having been caught by Clark's parents. Clark immediately put Diana down. "I…um.." Clark tried to think his way out of the situation.

Diana told the truth. "Clark tried to see my gift because it's not lined with lead foil and I tried to stop him."

"Clark!" Martha admonished and Clark lowered his head in shame.

"Come on, Diana. I'll show you where we keep the foil." Diana followed Jonathon out of the room. She grinned at Clark.

"When we have guests in this house, even those you invite, I expect you to be on your best behavior," Martha scolded Clark.

"Yes, ma'am." Clark felt like a little kid again. This was embarrassing.

"Diana's a princess. You do not toss her over your shoulder like some caveman."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And you will apologize to Diana when she comes back."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now help me put the dishes up."

"Yes, ma'am," Clark said and followed his mother into the kitchen.

By the time Clark finished putting up the dishes, Diana and Jonathon returned. Knowing what he had to do, Clark said to Diana. "I'm sorry for my behavior, Diana."

Diana smiled at him, secretly enjoying this. She only hoped she never embarrass herself in front of her mother and was force to apologize. "Apology accepted."

"I'm going to make a cake for tomorrow, Diana. Would you like to help me?" Martha asked.

"Yes, I'd like that."

"Come on, son," Jonathon pulled Clark from the kitchen. "Let the ladies do their thing while we stay out of it. There's some wood I need you to bring in from the barn for the fireplace."

There was something to admire about Martha Kent Diana thought as she got the ingredients for the cake out. Martha was happy being a housewife: serving her husband and son, lovingly telling stories about them while cooking and cleaning their clothes without thinking of it as degrading as Hippolyta would. It would be a cold day in Hades before Hippolyta did such things for men. Diana stifled a laugh thinking of her mother in a dress, apron and holding out a pan of hot cookies for a man.

Diana followed Martha's instructions on mixing the liquid ingredients in a bowl. "You have a lot of prepared food in the refrigerator, Martha. Are you expecting guests tomorrow?"

Martha laughed as she prepared the cake pan. "Clark has a big appetite, especially when it comes to home cooking."

Diana thought of Flash and his appetites. "Really? I never noticed."

Martha looked at Diana sweetly as if trying to read anything in Diana's eyes. "I knew he wasn't eating enough in Metropolis."

Diana laughed softly. "Maybe he's watching his, um, waistline." That was how the saying went, wasn't it?

Martha laughed again as she poured the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. "Oh, Clark doesn't have to worry about that. He keeps a very active lifestyle. How do like the Christmas holiday so far?"

That was another thing about Martha Kent. Diana got good vibes from her. She was so warm and easy to talk to. "It's lovely to see the streets aligned with different colored lights. It's nice to see people so giving. I wish it didn't take a holiday for the people to show the goodness in them."

"I've seen pictures of your tour with Clark and I heard some of your speeches. Clark told me you want to start a foundation."

"Yes, I'd like to start an embassy but becoming an ambassador to a home I'm banished from wouldn't make much sense." Diana took the bowl of dry ingredients and mixed it with her bowl.

"Clark told me why you are banished," Martha said sympathetically. "I could never punish my child for doing what was right."

Diana smiled. "You're not a queen. My mother didn't want to banish me but she had no choice. It's partly my fault and it's the law of Themyscira. I stole the uniform of the Champion of Amazons and didn't return until eight months later. Had I returned earlier, Mother and the Amazons would've seen it's time to send an Amazon in the world and order a competition to prove the best Amazon. An Amazon Champions is allowed to bring men to Themyscira. Someone who steals the armor, runs away from home and doesn't return until eight months later isn't."

Martha tried to be positive. "Maybe in the future something will change and allow you back home."

Diana smiled sadly. "Maybe, but I'm not dwelling on it."

Martha gave Diana the cake pan to pour the cake batter in. "No matter what

your mother loves you, Diana. Oh, sure she seems strict and indifferent but she understands a lot more than you think. I'm sure she worries about you."

Diana smiled thinking of her mother's last visit a month ago. "I'm sure she does. You're a wise woman, Martha Kent. Clark said the same thing. You and Jonathon raised your son very well."

Martha smiled touched at the compliment. She took the cake pan and placed it in the oven. "We're proud of Clark. He's such a good person, so noble and devoted to what he believes in, even though he scares me when he's risking his life, but deep down I know he will survive."

"He's special," Martha said looking out the window. Diana followed her eyes. It was starting to snow again and Clark was outside talking to his father holding several logs as they made their way to the house. "He gives so much and asks for so little in return. Clark is shy despite what he does. He's a trusting person but when it comes to his own personal secrets, he keeps that close to his heart." Martha looked at Diana, a twinkle in her wise eyes. She was happy Diana was here. Something in her heart told Martha Diana was special, a lot more special than Lois. "You're the first woman my son has brought home. That says a lot."

That news took her by surprise. "Not even Lois? I mean, I know Lois doesn't know Kal is Superman but he never brought her to Smallville as Clark Kent?"

"Clark is very complicated. There was Lana Lang but they were teenagers and puppy love is fleeting. I thought Clark took an interest in Lois. I got the feeling he liked her but clearly nothing became of that. For my son to bring you home means something. You're special to him."

Diana smiled, touched. "Thank you, Martha. Your son is a very special man. I've never met a man like him."

Martha laughed thinking how a man like her son could affect a woman like Diana. "That's my son all right."

The kitchen door opened and the Kent men walked in. "Whoo!" Jonathon shivered. "It's getting nasty out there." Martha handed Jonathon a hot cup of cocoa and he thanked her with a kiss on the cheek.

Clark looked from Diana to his mother. Something just happened here. He knew it. "Oh, Ma, you didn't tell Diana more embarrassing stories about me, did you?"

Martha laughed as she handed Clark his mug. "Of course not, dear. That's for Christmas dinner."

Clark groaned and Diana laughed. "Your mother's very sweet, Kal, and like all mothers, she was praising how happy she is to be your mother."

Clark took Diana's hand and led her out of the room. "Let's go before Ma starts on her stories."

Jonathon and Martha watched the two leave with happy smiles on their faces. They soon left the kitchen and went upstairs to their room. "She's very special, Jonathon."

"I know," Jonathon agreed putting an arm around Martha. "Clark's fallen hard for that one."

"There's something about Diana. I don't know what it is, Jonathon, but I have a good feeling about her."

Jonathon grinned at his wife. "You do realize, Martha, that our son just heard our conversation."

Martha giggled. "That's right. In that case, I like her, Clark."

In the living room, Clark was putting the logs in the fireplace and smiled as he heard his mother. He got the fire going and said, "That should keep the house warm all night."

Clark went back to the kitchen to wash his hands and Diana stood in the kitchen's doorway. "We haven't seen J'onn in a while," Diana commented. "What do you think he's doing?"

Clark dried his hands and joined Diana in the doorway. He looked upstairs and saw J'onn wasn't in his room. "He's not here."

"He's not?" Diana looked upstairs. "Where could he have gone?"

"He's probably walking around Smallville. He has been trying to grasp the holiday. He'll be fine. Nothing happens here."

Knowing J'onn could take care of himself ceased Diana's worry for him.

"Would you look at that?" Clark said suddenly.

Diana looked at Clark. "What?" Clark tilted his head up and Diana followed. "A mistletoe." Diana remembered Flash putting up mistletoes in the Watchtower. She knew what that sprig meant. She swallowed hard. "Does… does this mean we have to kiss?"

From the beating of her heart, Clark knew Diana was nervous. "It's all right to kiss under the mistletoe."

Diana looked wary and yet hopeful. "Even if someone has another person in their life?"

Clark stepped forward. "Yeah. It's tradition. There's no harm in a kiss."

Diana took a step forward. "Then we should do it then."

"It?" Clark inquired. Suddenly his mind was elsewhere.

"Kiss under the mistletoe," Diana said. She unconsciously wet her lips and Clark inwardly groaned. "It's tradition and if I'm to understand the ways of the world and this holiday, I should participate in all traditions."

"Yes, you should," he said huskily. He lean towards her, closed his eyes and….

"Clark!"

Clark and Diana stepped away from each other as if they were caught doing something wrong. Clark leap across the room to the fireplace in a blur. Diana ran into the kitchen looking out the window pretending she was interested in the falling snow.

Martha came downstairs unaware of what almost happened. Clark standing by the fireplace looked at his mother. "Yeah, Ma?"

"If I'm not down by the time the timer rings on the stove, could you tell me."

"Oh, sure." Clark smiled brightly.

Diana stepped out of the kitchen. "I think I'll say good night."

After goodnights were shared, Clark watch Diana disappear upstairs with his mother. It was then he decided the wait was over.

****

Christmas morning arrived and Diana was awakened to someone singing. Diana tossed the covers off her, put on her robe and left the room. She joined the Kent's downstairs and saw them watching J'onn sitting on the windowsill holding the family cat, singing in Martian. Diana smiled. Wherever J'onn was, he got the Christmas spirit in him.

When he finished, J'onn noticed his audience. "That was wonderful, J'onn. You sang it so beautifully." Martha praised him.

"No gift for us, J'onn?" Clark said wryly, "Yeah, right!"

Clark sat in front of the tree, anxious to open his gifts. Martha and Jonathon sat together on the sofa while J'onn looked on from his seat at the windowsill.

Diana sat on the floor beside Clark and asked, "So, how does the gift giving work?"

"Why don't you go first Diana?" Martha picked up a gift from under the tree and gave it to Diana. "This is from Jonathon and myself."

Diana unwrapped the small box. Inside, was a hand knit red and blue scarf, hat and gloves set. "It's beautiful," Diana said feeling the soft material. "Thank you." She was touched Martha would spend time making this for her. Diana handed Martha a box from under the tree. "I hope you like it. I didn't know what to get."

Martha opened the box and pulled out a snow globe of Metropolis with Superman flying over the skyline. "This is lovely, dear and Jonathon is an avid collector of snow globes."

"Yeah," Jonathon said taking the globe. "I don't have this one."

Diana handed Clark his gift just as Clark handed Diana her a gift. "This is for you," they said together. Blushing slightly, they opened their wrapped boxes.

Clark pulled out a shoulder bag with his initials monogrammed on it. He needed a new one. The strap on his was getting worn. Inside the bag, was a cologne set. A sales associate recommended to her since Diana wasn't sure what to buy. She never bought anything for a man before.

Diana received an Analects of Confucius, a book containing the teachings of Confucius and a cashmere sweater.

After exchanging gifts and breakfast, Martha finished with Christmas dinner while Jonathon and J'onn played chess with the basketball game playing on TV. Diana joined Clark in the barn wearing the sweater and scarf set she received.

With nothing else to do, Diana helped Clark with his chores. Normally, it would take Clark minutes, but he went about it at a normal pace today. Still, it wasn't long and mundane, but fun working with Diana and showing her how a barn works.

After the chores were done, Diana walked out the barn fascinated by the fresh blanket of snow falling. In the big cities like Gotham and Metropolis, the snow turn dirty and to mush quickly. Here, it was clean, white and just mesmerizing to look at. It never snowed on Themyscira. It was a shame. Diana thought it would look beautiful on her island.

"Diana!"

Diana turned and was smashed in the face with a snowball. Diana sputtered as she wiped the snow off her face. She glared at Clark angrily. "Why did you do that?!"

Clark laughed as he formed another snowball. "You've never been in a snowball fight, have you?"

Diana frowned, puzzled. "Snowball fight?"

"It's fun. You make the snow into a ball and throw it," Clark explained and threw another ball at her.

Diana dodged the snowball. She gathered snow in her hands and threw it at Clark. Diana laughed when it hit Clark's face. "You're right. It is fun." She yelped as she dodged another snowball by Clark.

Soon Clark and Diana were building forts and engaging themselves in a fierce snowball fight ending with a tie. Afterwards, Diana and Clark worked together to build a snowman, snowwoman and an angels in the snow.

Diana started working on a snow model of her mother in the snow when a shadow covered her. Diana looked up and her mouth dropped. Clark was hovering over her holding a giant snowball that was ten feet wide.

Diana got up and ran. Clark flew after her laughing. "Run all you like. I *will* hit you with this!"

Diana laughed and screamed playfully as she ran away from Clark, dodging him at every chance she got. Diana didn't care how unprofessional a Princess of the Amazon was behaving. For once, she was having fun and enjoying herself and not worry what others thought of her. No matter how fast she was running, Clark was keeping up with her.

"This is for telling on me!"

"No!" Diana screamed and was dumped with the giant snowball. Diana was covered in snow from the top of her head to her black boots.

Clark laughed loudly at the way Diana looked, wishing he had a camera. The snowball nearly swallowed her. After a moment, Clark realized he was the only one laughing. Diana was sitting in the thick snow silent.

Clark approached on her. "Diana, I'm sorry. I was only kidding." Diana turned away from him, hiding her face. Clark felt horrible. He went too far with Diana. "I didn't mean anything rude by it. I was only playing. Please say something." He begged. "Please."

Diana smiled wickedly at him. "You're such a sucker!"

"What?" Clark grunted as Diana grabbed his arm and yanked him headfirst into the snow. Then she threw as much snow on him as possible. Clark started to rise and grabbed on to Diana, laughing and trying to stop her assault. In their playful struggle, the two rolled down a hill together, laughing and holding each other tight. When they reached the bottom, Diana was on top of him. Her knit hat had flung off somewhere in the snow and her hair was a disheveled mess.

Diana, realizing the position she was in, got off Clark. "My hat." Diana looked off in the snow for it. Once she found, Clark helped her to her feet. Diana noticed they never let go of each other's hands as they walked back to the house.

"Whoa," Clark stopped them when they reached the steps of the Kent's house. "We better get some of this snow off us. Ma wouldn't like us tramping snow on her clean floor.

As they wipe the snow off each other, Diana dusts a missing spot off Clark's shoulder. "You've got some snow on your shoulders."

"You've got some in your hair," Clark commented wiping snow off her hair and smoothing her hair with gloved hands. Diana touched Clark's hand and he noticed how cold Diana's were through her gloves. "Diana, your hands are cold."

"It's all right. The cold doesn't bother me that much," Diana said.

Clark frowned. He should've been more careful. They were outside for nearly three hours playing in the snow in twenty-five degree weather. Clark took Diana's hands in his and rubbed them together, generating heat through her body. Diana stared at their joined hands then into Clark's eyes. Fighting her feelings for Clark would be harder than she thought. Keeping her distance from Clark for nearly a month helped her but now she was coming undone in one day of spending time with him.

The door opened and Martha saw Clark and Diana staring at each other and holding hands. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No!" Clark and Diana said together. "It was cold and I was warming Diana's hands."

"Why didn't you come inside if you just wanted to warm Diana's hands?" Martha asked. "Christmas dinner's ready. So hurry and clean up."

"We're coming," Clark said walking inside the house. He couldn't wait much longer. He had to let Diana know how he felt.

****

Christmas dinner with the Kent's left Diana longing for home. The feeling of warmth and love shared between the Kent's as they shared with Diana and J'onn stories of their life on the farm, stories of Clark, reminded Diana of the times she and her Sisters on Themyscira would gather and share stories, tell odes around fires or during Themyscira celebrations like the Feast of Five. Diana pushed the thought of home aside, knowing how sad that would make her and she didn't want to feel that emotion now.

Diana was amazed with Clark's hefty appetite. He had three helpings of dinner before eating a slice of the five cakes and pies Martha cooked. Jonathon teased Clark about his hefty appetite. Even J'onn joined in on the fun, sharing funny stories he had in his observations of humans when he first arrived in the world and his impressions of Clark.

Once dinner was finished, everyone took part in cleaning up. Afterwards, they settled in front of the TV to watch It's a Wonderful Life on the new DVD player Clark bought his parents for Christmas. After the movie ended, Martha and Jonathon called it a night. Diana, Clark, and J'onn stayed up another hour talking before J'onn decided to make himself scarce.

This left Clark and Diana alone. Neither were ready to turn in yet. Clark could tell Diana was nervous being alone with him, considering what almost happened and what she doesn't know yet about him and Lois. Clark decided it was time to make his move.

"Want to listen to some music?" Clark asked.

"Um, sure," Diana said wondering where Clark was going with this.

Clark went to the CD changer. "My parents listen mostly to the music of their youth. Ma said she fell in love with Dad listening to 'Unchained Melody.'" Clark played with the dials on the music changer. 'I Only Have Eyes For You' began playing. Clark turned his attention to Diana. "Let's dance."

"Hmm?" Dancing meant being in close contact with Clark which could lead to kissing and they couldn't do that. "Kal, I don't think--"

"We need to improve our skills," Clark said. "Remember that disastrous dance in Paris?" Clark held his hand out to her and Diana could do nothing but take it. He pulled her against him and Diana's stomach quivered coming in contact with his body.

"Relax." His voice was deep, calm above her head as he nestled her silky black hair with his chin and pulled her closer.

Diana felt herself rising off the floor. He was dancing in the air with her. Diana sucked in a long breath, praying for control. "You seem a little too relax."

"I am when I'm with you," Clark confessed. "I'm a lot of things. I'm at peace. I'm happier. To put it bluntly, I'm in love with you."

Diana gasped. She searched his eyes and saw he was telling the truth. He moved in to kiss her when Diana stopped him as she whispered, "Lois?"

Clark smiled as he pushed a lock of hair behind Diana's ear. "Lois is no longer a matter anymore. I've made my choice."

The shock from Diana's face fell away to reveal an overjoyed smile. "Really?"

His answer was taking her lips in the lightest of kisses. The shocking feel of his warm firm lips on hers and Clark's revelation about his relationship with Lois stunned Diana for a moment before she took control and kissed him back with much fervor. Her arms came around his neck and she lift them even higher.

Upstairs, Jonathon, Martha and J'onn watch the pair with proud smiles.