JL: The Newest Recruit

Part Twelve

Confrontation

Clark, Diana and Bruce sat in the kitchen of Wayne Manor eating dinner prepared for them by Alfred. Neither were in the mood to eat but ate so out of habit. They were all thinking of what happened in the past few days. The world was enslaved by Thanagarians; Hawkgirl betrayed and later helped the Justice League stop the Thanagarians from destroying the world; and the Watchtower was destroyed.

The League took a vote whether to kick Hawkgirl out or not but she made the decision to leave the group. Green Lantern left Wayne Manor an hour ago and Flash was letting J'onn crash at his place. Everyone offered J'onn to stay with them since his home was the Watchtower. J'onn decided he will stay with each member a few weeks at a time until the Watchtower was built.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us," Clark announced. "How long will it take for another Watchtower to be built?"

"I have preliminary sketches of satellite designs that were rejected on my computer. We can look at them and modify it," Bruce explained. "As soon as a design is made, it won't take long to get supplies but after that, it can take a couple years with human manpower."

Clark frowned. "That's a long time without the Watchtower."

"What if you have the manpower of people like Clark and I?" Diana suggested. "I'm sure we can get things built faster."

"There are more of us superheroes out there," Clark said. "Ever since coming from that future, it got me thinking it's time to expand the League. This disaster with the Thanagarians is more proof it's time. Kara's ready and she was a big help with fighting off the Thanagarians in Metropolis."

"Red Tornado, Black Canary and Green Arrow were helping out, too," Diana added.

Bruce was inclined to agree. "With the manpower you're talking about, we can have another satellite up in as little as three or four months. Maybe even less."

"Great. Let's get started. After dinner, we can look at some designs and put something together," Clark suggested.

"If we're going to recruit more members, how will we manage it?" Diana asked. "With it only being seven of us, it was easy for J'onn to manage the schedules of our shifts and the seven of us took care of the maintenance in the Watchtower. With the numbers of heroes we're going to be recruiting, even *we* will be overwhelmed."

"What do you suggest?" Clark asked.

"With us recruiting more heroes, perhaps we can hire humans to deal with the maintenance of the Watchtower."

"No." Bruce was firm on his decision. "Are you insane, Diana? The founding members know my secret and other heroes are more respectful to not pry but allowing ordinary people to work among us opens the risk of everyone's identity to be exposed. Not only that, but our enemies may bribe or threaten them for secret access to the Watchtower."

"I'm not saying we hire anyone, Bruce. Of course there will be a vigorous background check but hiring humans will show we've nothing to hide from the world. We should have ordinary humans working with us than just the heroic ones. It may inspire humans to not depend on us to save them all the time but depend on themselves. I feel it will also ease the fears some people have of us."

"In that respect, I agree with Diana."

Bruce snorted. "I'm not surprised by that."

"Some parts of the government have grown increasingly wary of us, Bruce. We can have regular people deal with the maintenance. No one will know anyone's identity," Clark explained.

"We'll put it to vote with the others but if you two foolishly get your way, I'm handling the background checks of everyone we hire."

There was no reason to argue with Bruce so Clark and Diana agreed.

With no Watchtower, the League would have meetings in Wayne Manor. Just thinking of the future meetings, brought Bruce's mind back to the decision the Justice League made in regards to Hawkgirl.

"I shouldn't be surprised but I am that you and Diana voted Hawkgirl back in," Bruce commented. He looked at Diana. "I knew Flash and J'onn would vote her in but after hearing you argue how Hawkgirl betrayed us and gave away our secrets to the Thanagarians, I thought you would vote her out, too."

"I was," Diana said, "But then I remembered my teachings and Athena's wisdom. Hawkgirl did deceive us but she was also deceived by her kind. They didn't tell her all of the plans of using Earth to get to their enemies. In the end, she helped us out."

"After my incident with Darkseid, I think everyone deserves a second chance," Clark said.

"I wonder how John is taking this," Diana wondered. "I had no idea he and Hawkgirl were seeing each other. I guess I was too busy setting up my own life here to notice."

"Or too naïve," Bruce said casually. "I've noticed tension between them for a while. All the fighting they did made it obvious but when John was hurt when the Joker and Royal Flush gang tried to bomb Las Vegas, I knew for sure they were together."

Clark grinned. "I knew long before that."

Diana looked at Clark amazed. "You knew?"

Clark tapped an ear. "Ears like mine don't miss much but it wasn't my business so I didn't say anything."

Diana sighed. "Seems I was the only one other than Flash out of loop."

Clark chuckled. "He was out of the loop on a lot of things. It wasn't funny then since we were preoccupied with the Thanagarians finding us but Flash's reaction to learning our identities was hilarious, especially yours, Bruce."

"I don't know," Bruce said with his own wry smile, "The reaction of Flash learning you are a reporter was bigger, especially when he connected you went on tour with Diana for three months and not just 'a reporter who got lucky.' Of course now he's gonna question you two about those romance rumors between Wonder Woman and Clark Kent."

"There's nothing to tell," Clark said.

One of Bruce's eyebrows skeptically. "Really? Do I have to call you two out, too?"

Clark looked innocent. "Call us out on what?"

Bruce grinned. "You two hid it better than John and Shayera but I know you two are also secretly seeing each other."

Diana smiled at Clark. "Guess our secret's out, too." Diana wrapped an arm around Clark and leaned on him. "When did you suspect, Bruce?"

"I've known about Clark's attraction since your date with Flash. You took a little longer to pinpoint. I wasn't sure if you were just being friendly to Clark because you're new to men and women relationships, but I definitely knew something changed when you started calling Clark Kal."

"Given what happened between John and Shayera, it's probably best we continue to keep our relationship a secret and not throw any attention to ourselves," Clark suggested to Diana.

"I'm not fond of all of this deception but I also don't like a lot of attention between something that is so private between us." Diana kissed Clark's cheek. "It's nice we don't have to be deceptive in front of everyone like you, Bruce."

Bruce half rolled his eyes. "I feel so lucky."

Clark laughed. "You love being in on everything, Bruce."

"Just as long I don't have to pretend to be Diana's boyfriend to throw everyone off." He saw Clark was going to make a comment. "Don't get any ideas."

Alfred came into the room. "Master Bruce, you have a phone call."

Bruce rose from the table. "Thanks, Alfred. You two go ahead to the bat cave. I'll show you the plans of the new Watchtower when I get back." He left the room while Alfred cleared the table of the plates.

"Let us help you," Diana suggested.

"No such thing is needed. After what you three have done for the world, it's my honor to serve you." He took the plates. "I shall bring you your desserts in the cave," Alfred told them.

Clark and Diana went to the Batcave and waited for Bruce's return. Diana looked around at the trophies Bruce had lined around his cave. Clark said to Diana, "There's something I need to ask you."

Diana turned to him. "Yes?"

"When we were in the restaurant hiding from the Thanagarians after you attacked them--"

"I did that because they were harassing innocent people they thought were us," Diana defended herself. "Are you going to chastise me over that again?"

Clark played with Diana's hair. "No, but I'm curious. Did you kiss me because you wanted to deceive the Thanagarians or did you do so because you find me so irresistible that you had to kiss me at that moment?"

Diana smiled, catching on to the game Clark was playing. "A little from Column A. A little from Column B."

Clark pulled Diana closer to him. "You're quick at adapting the language of this world."

"I had some help," Diana flirted and closed her eyes as Clark kissed her.

Bruce cleared his throat. "Do you mind? This is my cave. Not a place for you to steal moments together."

"You shouldn't have let us know you knew about us," Clark teased.

"I should've known I was going to regret this." Bruce sat in his chair and pulled up the sketches of the new Watchtower. "We have a Watchtower to rebuild. Let's get to work."

Lois Lane sat on Clark's desk as she read his article on the Justice League rebuilding the Watchtower and their expansion of the League. "Good story, Clark. Six weeks and the Justice League got a new satellite up and on top of that, they got whole new group of members."

"After the Thanagarian invasion, the Justice League knew they couldn't be down for long," Clark explained. "I think it was a great idea. With a bigger League, the greater the chance Earth will be safe from any future invasion."

"Just as long there's no traitor in the mist like Hawkgirl," Lois said with a snarky tone. "I don't know, Smallville. All those metahumans in that satellite with all kinds of weapons, hovering over the Earth. You'd think they were Gods or something."

Clark frowned. Ever since Lois ended things with Superman, Lois had increasingly become bitter with Superman and the Justice League. She praised them for their efforts in saving the world but every now and then there was a snide remark in a form of a question of the League's power.

"The Justice League don't think of themselves as Gods, Lois."

"Maybe not but don't you think it's dangerous for all those metahumans to be in a group together? If any should turn on us, we don't stand a chance," Lois said. "You saw what happened when the Justice Lords came to our world."

"I know but the League isn't like that." Lois was sounding more and more like her father and that worried him. "There are humans like Batman that stand among the metahumans. Even if one should step out of line, there are others to pull them back. I have an invitation to the Watchtower to see how things are run. Why don't you take the story? You haven't interviewed Superman or any of the Justice League as much."

Lois crossed her arms. "I have my reasons, but I will take your invitation if I can talk to Wonder Woman."

Oh, boy. His ex and his current lady finally meeting to talk. That wasn't good at all. "Why her?"

"Why not? I think it's time a woman interview Wonder Woman. Perhaps she will get me to spill more." Lois looked him over. "Obviously, you haven't."

"Spill more to you about what?" Clark ask cautiously.

"Girl stuff," Lois said with a wicked smile and then she looked disappointed. "You couldn't even get her interested in you."

"I don't even stand a chance with Wonder Woman. Besides, this was work and a very big story. I didn't want to blow it by acting unprofessional."

Lois frowned. "You could've if you had more confidence, more swagger." Lois scoffed. "I can't believe after all that time you spent together on that tour, nothing happen. Sometimes, Clark. You're just impossible." Lois dropped the paper on his desk and walked off.

Clark was glad more than ever Lois never knew his secret of being Superman. Who knew how she would act knowing she still had to work with the man she broke up with so badly.

Diana watched Clark paced back and forth nervously. He told Diana about giving his story to Lois. Diana had been open to it and couldn't understand Clark's growing nerves. "You're going to dig a hole in the floor, Kal. I don't understand why you are so nervous."

"Lois is a hound dog when she goes after a story and she's going to come after you hard."

"Why?"

Sometimes it was hard to believe Diana was so innocent even after all this time. "I never told you but when I broke things off with Lois, she was furious. She called you names and I never seen her so angry. She's going to criticize everything about you and insinuate everything with us and you."

Diana didn't seem concern. "I think I can handle her."

Clark stopped pacing. "I'm worried. You have to be careful with what you say or even do around her."

Diana joined his side. "Kal, I'm sure she is a formidable, strong willed woman but I can deal with her. If you feel I need such protecting, you can come with me."

Clark shook his head. "That would make things worst. No. It's better I stay here."

Diana kissed his cheek. "I'm sure it won't be as bad as you're making it." She gave Clark a quick hug and left the room to meet with Lois.

Clark shook his head. Diana didn't know what she was getting into.

Wonder Woman was waiting for Lois when she teleported into the control room of the Watchtower. Diana understood Lois wouldn't be happy with her. So she expected a brusque attitude from Lois but vowed to be kind and understanding.

"Hello, Miss Lane. It's nice to meet you."

Diana held her hand out for Lois to shake and Lois reluctantly took it. "I wish I could say the same."

From a private sector of the Watchtower, Superman watched Wonder Woman give Lois a tour of the Watchtower. Behind him the door opened and Clark knew it had to be Batman. This was a secret room that only Clark, Diana and Bruce had access to and knew about. It was mainly used when the three wanted to have private meetings together about the League or a chance for the three to have a moment to themselves without human personnel or other heroes around.

"What are you doing here, Bruce?"

Batman removed his cowl. "When Flash told me Lois was coming here to get a tour of the Watchtower with Wonder Woman, I had to see this for myself and ask what the hell were you thinking?"

"Nothing apparently," Clark admitted. "The words slipped out of my mouth and it was too late to take it back."

Bruce looked at the screen. Diana looked calm and friendly. Lois looked tense and ready to attack. "Your current lady and your ex talking. Lois looks ready to kill Diana."

"You've been in situations like this, Bruce. How did you deal with it?"

"Outside this suit, I'm a renowned playboy who go through women faster than Flash. It's a reputation I made and I'm used to it and I expect this. So, I'm not concerned with what women say or think about me. You on the other hand…"

"Yeah," Clark sighed. "So I just suck it up."

"And watch," Bruce said looking at the screen. "Diana will be able to handle herself and protect herself from any attacks from Lois."

Clark could only hope Bruce was right.

Once Diana finished with the tour, she and Lois went to a boardroom to wrap up the interview. Lois was brusque with her questions but to Diana's surprised Lois didn't ask anything personnel about her. Given what Clark said about Lois, Diana expected her to start grilling about her relationship with Clark the moment the tour began.

"How are the shifts designated?" Lois asked.

"J'onn does them. He's the best person to decide who is needed and where," Diana answered.

"How often are you partnered with Superman?"

"Not often."

Lois tried to read Diana. She wasn't giving anything away in her voice or her posture. She was strong, confident and cordial throughout the interview. She seem prepared for anything. Not one of her questions slipped her up. "Does it disappoint you that you're not partnered with Superman all the time?"

Diana smiled, well aware of what Lois was trying to do. "No."

Might as well be blunt about it. "Is that because you see each other secretly in the outside world?"

"Miss Lane, there is an obvious animosity you have towards me. Perhaps we should finish this off record since your questions aren't pertaining to the Watchtower and the function of the Justice League."

Lois turned off her recorder. "Fair enough. What kind of hypocritical bitch are you to steal my man?"

Diana heard worst so the words didn't hurt her. "I did not steal Kal from you, Miss Lane."

"Kal?" Lois mocked the name. "Giving each other pet names now? What's yours? Wonder boob?"

"We don't have such names for each other," Diana said. "Kal is short for his Kryptonian name, Kal-El."

Lois rolled her eyes. "Whatever. He was mine. We were together for two years before you showed up fighting crime with your oversized breasts hanging out. Who could resist falling under your spell?"

"It wasn't like that at all, Miss Lane. Kal and I were friends when I first arrived in this world. He helped me get settled here and for that I greatly appreciate that. I admit to being drawn to him in a way that was more than friendly but as soon as I knew about you, I put off any thoughts to pursue him. We remained good friends."

"As soon as you knew?" Lois questioned. "He didn't tell you about me up front?"

"No, but it didn't come up. Mostly we talked about League business and how I can fit in the worls. When we talked more about him and his life, he mentioned you."

"His life? And what kind of life is that?" Lois asked. If Superman wouldn't tell her, she hoped to slip up Wonder Woman.

"It wouldn't be right to come from me to tell you what kind of life Superman leads. I'm sorry you are heartbroken over this and it's understandable you're angry with me but Kal didn't mean to hurt you."

"It didn't stop him from doing so. If he hadn't meant to hurt me, he wouldn't have lead me on all this time," Lois remarked bitter.

"Kal can be indecisive," Diana admitted. "But I don't think he lead you on."

"Of course you will say that," Lois commented as she stood. "I got all I wanted to hear and the only conciliation I can hope for is that Superman breaks your heart like he did mine." Lois stopped Diana from rising. "I'll see myself out."

Diana remained seated as Lois left the room. "That went better than I thought."

Clark who was watching the exchange breathed a sigh of relief that it was over. "At least it wasn't a blood bath."

"I hope one thing Lois says doesn't come true," Bruce said.

"What's that?"

"That you don't break Diana's heart like you did Lois'."

"You know I didn't mean to hurt Lois."

"No, but you should've ended things sooner so Lois wasn't so hurt. Diana's right about you being indecisive. Even I think it's cold to lead a woman on so long because you were scared to tell Lois the truth about you. Next time learn to take some risk, Clark."

"I know what happened between Lois and I could've been dealt better and I won't do that to Diana," Clark vowed. "I won't break her heart."

"You better not," Bruce warned. "Diana's very strong. She may beat you down," he joked but he then became serious. "But she's also very caring and trusting. You built a close bond to her. You were the one she confided in when she was banished from her home. You helped her build a life here. If you two should have a falling out, I'm not sure what that would do to her."

What Bruce said made a lot of sense which add more reason why Clark wouldn't hurt Diana. "I love her too much to hurt her, Bruce and I am taking this relationship very carefully and very seriously."

"Carefully?" Bruce questioned. "I'm guessing that means you haven't slept with her yet."

"We've only been dating for two and a half months. Besides, Diana's special. You don't rush things like that with a woman like her. This is her first romantic relationship. It can be her first everything."

Bruce grinned at the implication. "I envy you but then I don't because a woman like her will remember everything. Don't blow it, Kent."

Diana entered the room unaware of the conversation that took place between Clark and Bruce. As he embraced Diana with a hug and kiss, Clark considered himself very lucky to have the heart of this woman and promised he wouldn't do anything to lose it.

Meanwhile on her island, Circe watch a stewing Lois return to Earth. There was so much anger and hate in the human. Most of it was for the Amazon and Circe loved that. Lois was so close to the edge, so close to becoming a use to Circe. "Just a little longer, Lois, and you will get your wish."