AN: I don't own any of the characters in this story but I do own BM, SM, and WW T-shirts. :)

Justice League: The Newest Recruit

Part Eighteen: A New Threat

"Welcome to my humble abode!"

"Humble abode? Doesn't that require an actual tour than just transporting us to this room?"

Lois snarky reply brought about a laugh from Circe. "Maybe another time. This is the room you need to see."

The room Lois needed to see looked like a sorceress dream lab. It was a scene out of villain's room on a cartoon Lois remembered from her childhood. One side of the room held various bottles of different shapes and sizes and strange artifacts while the other side had shelves filled with books. The room even had a boiling cauldron and a giant crystal ball. Was this what Circe used to watch her Lois wondered. Lois took noticed of a large vat filled with a boiling purplish color liquid.

"What is that?"

"Your bath."

Lois frowned at Circe. "I don't need one."

"No," Circe agreed with a smile. What was behind that smile? "But you would like this one."

Lois was wise to be skeptical. "Why?"

"Even after all Superman has done to hurt you, you want him back, yes?"

"We would still be together if it wasn't for Wonder Woman."

Circe pointed to the vat. "The liquids in this vat are a little potion I conjured up. You will have phenomenal strength just like Wonder Woman and you won't need flimsy bracelets to dodge bullets. With your black belt, you will be quite formidable against any opponent. You could fight crime just like Wonder Woman and impress Superman how much better you are than her."

"Perhaps, but I don't think it was just her strength that drew Superman to her."

"If Wonder Woman was human, she would be just like you. The only differences between you two are her physical strengths and she fights the bad guys in a swimsuit, giving men raging hardons. You would have more respect for yourself and no need to flaunt the goods."

Circe could tell Lois was still resisting but Circe was confident she could lure Lois over. "I think you would look great in black." Circe spoke an incantation and Lois clothes changed from her purple and white business suit to a black leather suit, black cape and stiletto heel boots with a black mask hiding her face. Circe created a mirror so Lois could see herself.

"Not bad but is all the black really necessary?" Lois asked. "And leather?"

"I think it shows you are meant to be taken seriously. If you step in the vat, you will have the powers of Wonder Woman. You will fly like her; you will lift tanks like they were paper like her; you will save so many lives and inspire others just like her." Circe could feel Lois was giving in. The foolish woman loved the praises. "When you were with Superman, haven't you wondered what it would be like to fly on your own volition and not have Superman carry you? Sure, it would feel good to fly in his arms, but once, just once didn't you wonder what it would be like to fly by yourself or hold his hand as you sore through the clouds."

"Yeah, but I'm betting every other women want to do the same thing," Lois rebuffed the thought.

"I'm not asking any other woman. I'm asking you."

"Yes, I did want that, too." Lois admitted as she took a closer look at the books on Circe's shelves. All were tied to magic. Some were written in languages she didn't understand. "But I want to know why me? Why did you choose me?"

"Why not?" Circe asked back. She sighed as if she was bored with Lois. "That's the problem with you humans: you're so suspicious; never throwing caution to the wind. Don't you humans have a saying: 'If it feels good, do it.'?"

"Not everything that feels good has the best results and I wonder what will happen if I jump in that vat."

"There's nothing without sacrifice," Circe said honestly. "Isn't the working Mom sacrificing her time with her young children to work? Isn't the med student sacrificing parties to study? There are all kinds of sacrifices in life: some good, some bad. The question to you is are you willing to make the sacrifice?"

Lois was cracking Circe knew it. Oh, she built up a good resistance but she couldn't hold off forever. No one could.

"Didn't Superman reject you sexually when you wanted to take your relationship a step further?" Circe asked. "It wasn't he didn't think you were beautiful or he didn't want you. He was--"

"Concerned for my safety. He wasn't sure if he could control himself." A tear rolled from eyes as she recall Superman's constant rejections. "He didn't think I could handle him. If I could have these powers, nothing would be in my way to have him, would it?"

"No." Circe turned Lois to face the vat. Circe created an image of Superman hugging Lois in the steamy liquid. "All your dreams can come true. Not only would you have Superman, but think of the strength you will have. You are a hero in your own, fighting off bad guys, holding off until Superman saves you; only this time you won't need him to save you. You can save yourself."

"The powers are tempting but I am human and I like being human. I don't want to be a demi-god like them."

"You won't have to. You'll change when you want to change. Think of it as a double identity: you're Lois Lane, fearless reporter for the Daily Planet but when there is trouble you can be Mysteria, the mysterious new heroine to help rid the evil in Metropolis."

Lois smiled. "Mysteria. I like that."

"Take a plunge into the vat," Circe encouraged.

Lois took one step, another and another before plunging in the vat. She let the waters consumed her. She shivered as the waters invaded the pores on her skin, the strands of her hair, but her body began to heat up and she felt this unknown power spreading through her. She felt her strength growing, her body growing light as a feather. Lois leapt from the waters and found herself floating in the air.

"How do you feel?"

Lois flew around the room. "Wonderful! I feel so light. I feel so powerful! Is this what it feels like to be powerful?" She asked Circe as she landed. "Do you understand the good I can do with this power?"

Circe played along. "Yes. You can do amazing things with this power along with winning Superman."

Just thinking about Superman sent Lois floating in the air once more. "Won't he be impressed but I don't want to reveal myself just yet. How do I return to normal?"

"Just concentrate on being yourself and you'll be human once more." Circe watched as Lois tested her powers of flight and strength in the room. *Oh, just wait until she sees the price she will pay for this power. Humans are so gullible.*

Superman spent his day fixing the buildings he damaged during his battle with Darkseid. It was only two days since Darkseid was defeated and trapped in his own evil web. He was taken to Oa by John and the other Green Lanterns where he would be tried and imprisoned. Superman hoped Darkseid would be contained but he feared he would somehow escape.

Superman decided not to focus on that and deal with the matter when it comes. His first job was replacing the walls and windows of the skyscrapers he damaged when he punch Darkseid through them. The task didn't take long to complete. Most of his time was consumed with repairing the heavily damaged Daily Planet. Several floors including the one he worked on were destroyed. However, Perry White refused to close the Daily Planet and used the lower levels to keep his top reporters working and printing out the daily news.

Clark Kent was conveniently absent as he was still on vacation but called Perry White to let him know he was cutting his vacation short and coming in tomorrow. Lois printed the story of Darkseid fighting Superman and Wonder Woman and like many of the staff, was working from home until the Daily Planet was repaired. Lois was one who liked to be in the action. Whenever the Daily Planet was damaged by a fight involving Superman, Lois still showed up at the Daily Planet.

Superman recalled what Lois said to him. He thought Lois was over him but her confession told him she wasn't. Maybe keeping her distance from him while he fixed the Daily Planet was what she needed and he should leave well enough alone.

Diana wasn't with him as she was in a press conference at the United Nations discussing the impending arrival of her mother and several Amazons. With the sudden arrival of Hippolyta and the Amazons to aid the Justice League during Darkseid's invasion, both mother and daughter agreed it was best to move ahead with plans than delaying it any longer.

Clark and Diana's getaway was cut short but they knew with the sudden changes in the world, they had to get back. When duty calls, they had to answer.

It was late in the afternoon when the repairs to the Daily Planet were completed. Superman decided he had enough time to patrol the city before heading home. Diana was going to arrive soon and he wanted to have dinner ready for her.

Superman was halfway through his patrol when he heard screams coming from the construction of a new skyscraper. A crane was falling from the sky with two workers inside. Superman flew to catch the crane and save the people but he wasn't the hero this time.

A figure in black caught the crane and gently lowered it to the ground. Civilians cheered at the heroic save. Superman watched as the figure, he now saw was a woman, help the men out of the crane.

A new hero. Might as well thank her for her help and introduce himself. Superman approached the woman. She was dressed in a black leather suit, black cape and a black mask that covered her eyes. The woman was busy shaking the hands of the men she just saved. When she finished, she turned her attention to Superman.

"Hello." Superman introduced himself. "It's a good thing you came when you did."

*He doesn't recognize me at all.* Lois was pleased with that as she wasn't ready to reveal herself to him. "I'm sure you would've gotten here in time," Lois said sultrily. "After all, this is your city, Superman."

Superman wasn't surprised this new heroine knew him. Everyone did, but her voice was familiar to him and then it wasn't. "So, you know me. What is your name?"

"I'm Mysteria." Lois wrapped her arms around Superman's neck. "Your soul mate." Before Superman could pull away Lois kissed him. People took pictures on their cell phones. Superman tried to push Mysteria away but she tightened her hold on him. Mysteria was stronger than he thought. Using force, he gripped her arms and pulled her off him.

*Not another Maxima.* "I think you have the wrong idea."

Lois caressed his cheek. "No. I'm absolutely right about this and you'll soon see it."

Lois flew away, leaving Superman to be bombarded by questions on the mysterious heroine and his relationship with her.

Instead of going home, Superman flew to the Metro Tower. From the looks he was getting from heroes in the tower, it was clear they knew about the kiss he shared with Mysteria. Damn cell phones, Internet and twenty-four news. He was thankful only a handful members of the League knew about him and Diana and even more relieved they never shared that piece of news to the rest of the League. Superman continued to ignore the looks and silence his ears to the whispers as he went to the lab to talk to Batman.

"Got a minute?"

Batman didn't look up from his microscope. "Not really, but I know that won't stop you from talking to me."

Clark went straight to the point. "Bruce, have you seen Diana?"

"Diana's not on the schedule for today."

"That doesn't mean she wouldn't stop by. So, have you seen her?"

"Briefly." Bruce switched slides and studied something else. "Diana wanted to make some changes to her schedule. I caught her as she was leaving. That was half an hour ago."

"How was she? Did she seem upset? Agitated?"

"No. She was cool as always."

Relieved. That meant she didn't see Mysteria kissing him. Diana didn't watch much television so if she was home now, she didn't know about Mysteria. "Oh, good. I'll see you later."

"By the way, Clark, Diana did see the picture of you kissing that new heroine in Metropolis."

Clark's shoulders sank. "She did?"

"Everyone at the Watchtower and Metro Tower saw it," Bruce was grinning as he pulled away from the microscope. "Oh, and myself. Did Mysteria slip you the tongue?"

Clark ignored the question and asked, "How did Diana react?"

"I told you she was cool as always. Of course Diana is good at hiding her feelings when others are around." Bruce couldn't stop smiling. He got sick pleasure at seeing Superman squirm. "You're afraid to go home, aren't you?"

Clark brushed the words off with a weak laugh. "What makes you say that?"

"I can hear the terror in your voice, Clark. By the way, who was that woman?"

Clark shrugged. "I don't know. She came out of nowhere, saved the people and disappeared."

Bruce input his findings from the microscope into the computer. "You didn't follow her?"

"After she kissed me? Are you crazy? She'd think I want her or I liked that kiss."

"And you didn't?"

Clark crossed his arms over his chest. "You think this is so funny."

Bruce chuckled. "Actually, I do. The Man of Steel afraid to go home to his Amazon wife because he kissed another woman."

"I'll be so glad when a woman pins you down so I can torture you as much as you have enjoyed torturing me."

"That'll be the day, Kent."

"Selina or Zatanna. It'll be one of them and I'll be the first to let you have it," Clark promised and left Bruce to his work.

Clark landed a mile from the new penthouse apartment he shared with Diana and changed into civilian clothes. He walked the rest of the way home, deliberately taking his time. He even took the stairs to his floor putting off meeting Diana. He knew *he* didn't do anything wrong but he wasn't sure how Diana would react.

Slowly, Clark opened the door to his apartment. "Diana?" He called out softly. He closed the door and listened for her heartbeat. Clark slowly crept to her office and opened the door. "Diana?"

Diana was sitting at her desk covered with papers. She looked up from her reading and smiled. "Hi! I thought you would beat me home. Was it my night or yours to get dinner started?"

He blinked. Of all the things he expected Diana to ask, that was not even on the list. "Um, it's mine."

Diana looked relieved. "When you weren't home, I thought it was mine. I'm famished. Could you get dinner started now?"

"Eh, sure. Frittata with smoked salmon, steamed vegetables and Mediterranean salad?"

"Sounds good."

"I'll have it ready in ten minutes." Clark left the room wondering what Diana was waiting for. Why wasn't she demanding he explained himself? He knew Diana wasn't the jealous type. In fact, she got a chuckle at seeing the women throw themselves at Clark for an autograph or a picture but none were so bold to kiss him on the lips.

Clark had the television on, listening for any breaking news more as he prepared dinner. Diana's behavior was still on his mind as he finished preparing their meal.

"Mmm, that smells lovely." Diana said coming into the kitchen.

"Have a seat? I'll fix our plates."

Diana took her seat at the table. "You seem on edge today, Kal? What's wrong?"

"Wrong?" Clark placed their plates on the table and took his seat across from her. "Do you think something wrong?"

Diana took a bite of her salad. "I have a guess. Are you afraid of my reaction to the kiss Mysteria gave you?"

Clark held his breath. "I was wondering when you were going to mention it."

"I was going to ask you about it when you came in but when I saw the frightened look on your face, I decided to pretend to know nothing about it."

"You deliberately made me walk on eggshells around you?"

Diana waved her fork at him. "No, my love. That was you who decided on eggshells."

First Bruce and now Diana were having fun at his expense. "You're not upset about the kiss."

"Upset? Actually, I found the kiss funny. The picture of Superman trying to pry a woman off him..." Diana chuckled. "I haven't seen anything so funny!"

Relieved he wasn't going to be killed, Clark finally laughed. It *was* actually very funny. "She reminds me of Maxima." Diana laughed again. "She said she was my soul mate." Diana laughed harder.

"Where do these women come from?" Diana said between laughs.

"I don't know," Clark laughed, "but the kiss was familiar."

The laughter died from Diana's face. "What?"

Seeing Diana wasn't laughing anymore, Clark stopped laughing, too. "When Mysteria kissed me, I got the strangest feeling I kissed her before. It was familiar but then it wasn't."

"I don't understand."

"I don't know how to explain it, Diana. It felt like I kissed her before but then it was entirely different."

"Did you look through her mask to see her face?" Diana asked.

"I did and I couldn't see her face."

"Lead?" Diana guessed.

"Magic."

Diana dreaded what this could mean. "Whoever Mysteria is, she doesn't want you to know who she is, but she knows who you are." Diana sighed. "Could this be a new enemy? I thought after Darkseid we would have a break."

"She kissed me, Diana. My enemies want to kill me, not kiss me."

"Didn't Poison Ivy kiss Bruce?"

Diana had a point but Clark hoped this wasn't an enemy and but an overzealous new hero who got carried away. "Until we know more about Mysteria, we'll gauge her with caution."

Mysteria was fast becoming the top story on the news. For the past two weeks, Mysteria helped earthquake victims in Pakistan, a chemical plant explosion in Texas, a hostage stand off in Russia and many other feats. Lois was covering all the stories on Mysteria for the Daily Planet giving her the best PR possible without giving away she was Mysteria.

When she showed up at the Daily Planet, people were chattering about Mysteria, how cool she was, how hot she looked. Even Lois was still blown away by her power. She thought having a double identity would be tough but she found it very easy to balance. Anyone could have one and no one suspected when Lois disappeared she was changing into a superhero.

There was only one disappointment to her new power: Superman. He pulled away when she kissed him and whenever they met again, Superman kept his distance from her. It had to be his misplaced loyalty to Wonder Woman. That will soon change once she revealed herself to him.

Clark was watching the morning news in the newsroom when Lois entered. She had a smile on her face for the past two weeks now. Lois wasn't grouchy, quick to rile anymore and Clark was glad for that.

"Morning, Lois. You're in a good mood."

"Morning, Smallville." Lois dropped her page one story on her desk. "Why wouldn't I be in a good mood? My story is front page, there's a new heroine out there and yours truly will get the scoop on her."

When Lois returned to the Daily Planet after the repairs were made, Lois was in good spirits again. The new story on Mysteria was the latest hot thing and the distraction Lois needed for her broken heart.

"If anyone can get the story it will be you," Clark praised.

Angela Chen broke into daily programming. "This is Angela Chen with breaking news. Metahumans have escaped Metropolis Meta Prison and they are celebrating their release in downtown Metropolis. We are sending a crew to the scene and bring you footage as soon as it comes in."

"Think Mysteria will show up?"

"I'm counting on it, Smallville. This is my story."

Once Lois disappeared in the elevator, Clark left the newsroom in a blur.

Wonder Woman was fighting off Giganta, Live Wire and Parasite when Superman arrived. Volcana and Shade were knocked out. Before Parasite could touch Diana, Superman froze parasite with his freeze breath. Live Wire sent a charge of electricity to Superman. When he first arrived, her powers over electricity subdued him but over time with his prolong exposure to the yellow sun, he was growing stronger and her power had no affect on him. Superman punched the bolt of electricity sending it back on Live Wire. He turned on a fire hydrant nearby electrocuting Live Wire until she fell to the ground unconscious.

Wonder Woman having just defeating Giganta, greeted Superman with a smile. "Perfect timing, Kal."

"I called Shayera at the Metro Tower. Help is on the way."

"Good." Diana gestured to the other prisons surrounding them. A shadow appeared in the sky. Diana looked up. "Looks like help is here," Diana said as she spotted Mysteria in the sky. "I'll finally get to meet her."

Superman dealt with Copperhead and Weather Wizard while Diana faced off with Star Fire.

Lois floated in the air over the battle staring at Wonder Woman. Lois came to help, show off really but seeing Wonder Woman caused Lois to suddenly be consume with rage. Fighting the bad guys weren't important anymore; dealing with Wonder Woman was.

Diana had her attention on Starfire. With Superman and Mysteria helping out, Diana felt her new allies had her back. She had no idea Mysteria was going to attack her until a sharp blow to her body knocked Diana off her feet by someone of amazing strength and speed. When Diana realized it was Mysteria who was attacking her, Diana tried to fight back but her body collided into a building. Diana lost her grip, plowing through the metal and concrete of the building head first, until she lost consciousness.

Copperhead was on the ground unconscious at Superman's feet when he and Weather Wizard stopped in their battles to see what that loud crash. Superman saw a large hole torn through the base of the skyscraper. Looking even closer, he saw Diana lying in the rubble unconscious with Mysteria standing over her.

"Seems the new heroine is more of my kind than yours," Weather Wizard taunted. He regretted those words as soon as his face collided with Superman's fist.

Lois stood over Wonder Woman. She couldn't believe what she did. She meant to fight the bad guys not attack Wonder Woman. "She's not dead." Lois took a step toward Diana, the rage taking over again. *No. What am I doing?* The building began shaking. With part of its base lost, the building was on the verge of collapsing. If the building crushed Wonder Woman, would she survive? Lois was interested to see.

A blur of red and blue passed Lois and she saw Superman kneeling over Diana. He caressed her face gently, "Diana." He turned to Lois angry. "Why did you attack Wonder Woman?!" Superman roared.

"I did what I had to do." *No, that's not what I want to say! I don't know why I did this. What's wrong with me?*

"So, you're not an ally?"

"To you I am. She can die for all I care." *No! That's not what I meant!* Lois screamed in her mind. She tried to stop herself but she turned and flew away.

The building continued to rumble. Thousands of people were in this building and rushing for the exits. Superman grabbed hold on the tilting building and held it up with his amazing strength.

"Superman!"

Flash raced to him and knelt before Diana. "What happened to Diana?"

"Get Diana out of here and bring me as many beams as you can!"

Flash followed Superman's orders as the rest of the Justice League took care of the criminals. While they were able to capture most of the criminals, some got away. With the help of Green Lantern and Flash, Superman was able to keep the building stable enough for the people to get out and until a construction crew fix it properly.

Diana regained at consciousness at the Metro Tower. Diana looked around the room dazed as she discovered she was in bed in an exam room where Clark was waiting for her to wake. "Kal? Why are you here? Don't you have to be back at work before anyone notices you're missing?" Diana asked.

Clark kissed Diana. "You think I will go back to work without knowing how you are?"

"I was knocked out, Kal," Diana said it as if she got a scratch.

"Need I remind you that you were plowed through a building?"

"I heal fast," Diana excused herself.

Clark got in bed with Diana and held her close to him. "I know, but I'm always going to be concern for your safety. I told the others what Mysteria did. They know to consider her as an enemy."

At the mention of Mysteria's name, Diana touched her head. "She doesn't like me that's for sure."

"When I asked her why she hit you, she said, she did what she had to do."

Diana didn't like that. "And what does that mean?"

"It gets worse. Mysteria said you could die for all she care but she's my ally."

"It's a lie to get you to let your guard down."

"I hoped Mysteria was League material but you're right," Clark agreed. "Mysteria is very strong and magical. She's not an enemy to be taken lightly. I better warn Lois not to write another positive story about her. She's making it her mission to get a scoop on Mysteria."

"If Lois gets too close, Mysteria could hurt her. If you need me to vouch Mysteria isn't a good person, I will."

"Thanks but I think Superman or Clark Kent should talk to her."

Diana rest her head against Clark's chest. "She still doesn't like me, does she?"

Clark thought over what Lois told him during his fight with Darkseid. "No, but she can't hate you forever."

Lois stood in her apartment shaking. She couldn't believe what she did. She hadn't meant to attack Wonder Woman. She meant to help. What was worse she was still in her costume and couldn't get it off! She tried pulling it and cutting when she couldn't transform as easily as before. So she flew home in a panic. "Okay, Lane. Remain calm. Do like Circe says and concentrate."

Lois took a deep breath and concentrated but nothing happened. "Argh! Come off you stupid outfit!"

"You won't get it off like that," Circe said.

Lois turned around and saw Circe sitting in a chair. "What did you do to me? Why can't I get this costume off? Why did you make me attack Wonder Woman?"

Circe looked at her polished nails. "I just arrived in Metropolis. That was you who attacked Wonder Woman."

"I didn't mean to!" Lois yelled. "This costume took over my body and forced me to attack her."

Circe laughed. "You're saying the costume made you do it? That's the lamest thing I've ever heard."

Lois moved to strike Circe but Circe froze Lois in place with a gesture of her hand. Her smile was sinister. "I told you there would be a sacrifice."

"What did you do to me?" Lois demanded.

"Is what you did to yourself. Loves makes humans do foolish things. Emotions fuel the power of the costume and humans are full of them. The costume is your second skin now. It will never go away. When you wanted to help those people while you were gallivanting around the world, the costume tap into that emotion.

"When you saw Wonder Woman, the jealousy you felt for her grew until you subdued it by attacking her. When you are jealous of Wonder Woman, the costume takes full control and do what you want to do to Wonder Woman-kill her."

"No! I don't want to kill her. I don't want her to be with Superman."

"And what better way to be done with her for good than to kill her?"

Lois shook her head. "No. I don't want that."

Circe didn't care what Lois wanted. "As long as Wonder Woman is around, you will be consumed with a jealous rage to kill her. It will get stronger the more you see her."

"Please, get rid of this costume; take the power back," Lois pleaded. "This isn't what I wanted."

*As if I will free my control over her so easily.* "To be free of the curse of costume, you have to kill Wonder Woman." Circe chuckled. "You could tell Superman about this bargain but would he forgive you for trying to kill the woman he loves? Even if you did tell him, only I can free you. Not him."

"Superman will forgive me. He has a big heart. He will understand I was deceived by a traitorous witch."

Circe shrugged not insulted by the words. After all, she was a witch. "Say he does forgive you for being duped, he still won't want you after knowing what you did or the fact you are jealous of Wonder Woman. Here's a piece a reality you just don't seem to grasp: Superman would never leave Wonder Woman for you." Circe cackled seeing the anger rise on Lois' face. "You are such a fool. He committed himself to her in the way of her people. Did you really think a man like that would easily walk away from a commitment? The fragile relationship you had with Superman was over the moment Wonder Woman arrived in this world. Your relationship already had problems. Superman kept secrets from you. No matter how often you begged, he wouldn't tell you about his other life outside the suit. How long did you really think a relationship like that would last?"

"How did you know about that?"

"I'm Circe. I know everything, especially foolish women. You're no different than the women who waste years on men who won't commit, and you have no one to blame but yourself. Superman never had any intention of telling you, because of something you did, something you continue to do."

"And what would that be?" Lois asked. "Since you know so much about me and my chances of being with Superman are shot to hell, you might as well tell me."

Circe laughed. "And where would the fun be in that? You know what your problem is Lane? No matter how much of an ace reporter you think you are, you could never see what was in front of you. It's why you could never figure out Clark Kent or his secret."

"Clark? What are you talking about? What secret?"

"I'll let your *ace reporting* skills help you out," Circe taunted. "Don't forget the curse of the suit. You won't be free of it until you kill Wonder Woman."

"I will keep control of my emotions. This suit will not control me. I'll control it," Lois vowed.

Circe laughed. "If you say so, but it's going to be amusing seeing you try. Ciao!" Circe cheered, vanishing before Lois.

Once Circe disappeared, Lois found herself back in her working attire. "That was a freebie," Circe's voice told Lois. "Next time you're getting the costume off on your own."

Lois breathe a sigh of relief to be back in her clothes again. Before she had a moment to digest what happened and situation she got herself in, she jumped at the ringing of her doorbell. "Who is it?"

"It's Clark."

Clark? What was he doing here? Lois opened her door and let Clark in. "Smallville, what are you doing here?"

"You never returned to the Daily Planet. Jimmy said you called to say you were working from home the rest of the afternoon."

"And that caused you to come over to my place?" Lois asked wryly. She was still shaken by what happened with Circe. And what was this secret she knew Clark was keeping from her? "There is a funny invention called the phone."

Clark followed Lois into her kitchen. "Yes, I know but I wanted to talk to you in person. I was concerned."

"Concerned?"

"It's not like you to decide to work from home after being in the office for barely thirty minutes."

Lois poured herself a glass of orange juice. "I did leave the office to cover a story."

"And you always come back to write it," Clark countered.

Lois set the carton of juice down on the counter hard. "I get the feeling you're fishing for something, Smallville."

And Clark got the feeling Lois was keeping something from him. He knew it ever since he left Metropolis to check on Diana at the Metro Tower. He waited for Lois to give her his statement of the prison outbreak and what Mysteria did to Diana, but she never showed up. And now her sudden rise of anger at him over a simple question, something was wrong.

"Have you written your report on the prison outbreak?"

Lois gripped her glass tightly for a moment before relaxing "Trying to steal my story, Smallville?"

"No, I wanted to make sure you covered the truth." He saw the glare from Lois. Something was wrong. He knew it.

"That Mysteria attacked Wonder Woman and allowed several criminals to get away because Superman was preoccupied with saving her and the civilians inside the building she almost destroyed?"

"Oh, so you do know. Who told you?"

"Probably the same person who told you," Lois said lamely. "Are you finished with the interrogation?"

She wasn't answering the question and she was getting upset. Her rise in heartbeat and temperature indicated she was nervous. Reading her body language, he knew Lois wanted to get rid of him.

"Yeah, I'm finished. I'm sorry if I offended you. I know you are a good reporter and you always report the truth."

Lois softened. "I'm sorry I got mad at you." Lois held her arms out for a hug and Clark went to her. When he pulled apart, Lois said, "Look, Smallville, I know Mysteria is not the hero I thought she was. I won't lie about what happened today."

"Good. Then can you do another favor for a friend?"

"What?"

"Don't pursue Mysteria like you pursued Superman. She's dangerous."

Lois gave Clark a suspicious look. For a moment, he didn't sound like the Clark she knew. "Don't you sound like the hero. I'll be fine, Smallville. Mysteria knows nothing about me."

Hippolyta had a tough decision to make. Plans were underway for the Amazons entrance into Man's World. She had to decide which of the seven Amazons would come with her. Phillipus and Acantha were easy choices to make. Phillipus was the Captain of the Guards and the queen's closest friend and Acantha was a teacher. She would want to study the world of Man and how it has changed over the centuries. Euboea was another choice as she was a very close friend of Diana and voiced eagerness to see her Princess as Wonder Woman. Penelope was also another choice as she was a High Priestess on the island. Timandra and Magda were the most experience aside from Diana for they were part of a group of Amazons who traveled to Patriarch's world once a century to study the changes in the world and brought new teachings to the princess while she was growing up on Themyscira. The last person to accompany the queen wondering.

A knock took the queen from her thoughts. "Come in." Ipthime entered the room. "Ipthime, what can I do for you?"

Ipthime stood humbled before the queen. "I would like to accompany you to Man's World."

Hippolyta was taken back. "I must admit surprise to this request."

"I don't have a lot of faith in mankind as you and Diana. Perhaps my conceptions on men will change if I accompany you. If our princess could bond herself with a man, then perhaps I am missing something."

Hippolyta rose from her seat and gripped Ipthime's hands, "I and Diana would be honored if you accompany us, Ipthime."

Ipthime bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness. What plans are expected of us when we arrive?"

"We will arrive at the United Nations where I will give a speech. Several world leaders will meet with us privately and rooms are ready for us at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. After our stay in New York, we will split up for our own tours around the world. I have assignments to give each Amazon. I don't know who will accept the invitation of the Justice League. They have invited us on a tour of their land base: Metro Tower and the space station: Watchtower."

"I would like to volunteer for that," Ipthime said. "Diana has fought along with them valiantly. I would like to see how special they are."

Hippolyta gave her approval. "Very well. I'll assign Euboea to visit Gotham. A Mr. Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon have offered to be her hosts of their city." Hippolyta had to keep herself from laughing for she knew Bruce Wayne was Batman. "Shayera will be your guide during the Metro Tower and Flash will be your host on the Watchtower. Do you remember Flash?"

"The shameless man dressed in red?" Ipthime fought off the instinct to recoil. "Yes, I remember him."

"Diana assured me Flash will be on his best behavior and if he's not, Diana gives her permission to subdue him."

Ipthime smiled. "I don't think it will come to that. Thank you for the opportunity." Ipthime left the room. That was easier than she thought. Then again the queen wouldn't think Ipthime had a motive.

Ipthime went to her room where she knew she would be alone. Circe appeared in a mirror before stepping out of it. "You are good."

"It was nothing," Ipthime said, feeling a twinge of guilt for siding with Circe. "My queen wouldn't suspect anything. I got the tour of the Watchtower like you wanted."

"Good." Circe handed Ipthime a dark crystal. "Be careful with that. My most powerful magic is contained in the crystal. When you get to the Watchtower, have that fool Flash show you where the nuclear ray is held. The Justice League used it once in an attempt to destroy self-replicating robots. After the final battle with Cadmus, it has been disabled in a form of truce."

A 3-D model of the nuclear ray appeared before Ipthime as Circe instructed, "Place the crystal right here on the ray. It'll do what it needs in due time."

"Why can't you do this?" Ipthime said. "It seems easy enough."

"Some of those superheroes are magical. I may be detected. You are the only one who can do this without raising any questions."

"What should this do? Is this something that will kill Superman?"

"I agreed not to kill Superman for Diana's sake," Circe reminded Ipthime of their bargain. "Don't worry. This won't affect you, the Amazons, Diana or Superman. In fact, anyone on Themyscira will be spared."

Spared from what, Ipthime wanted to say but as long as the Amazons were safe, Ipthime didn't care what she did to the humans. "Why are you sparing Superman? If he's not killed, what does it matter if he's affected by this?"

Circe would only smile. "Curiosity on how things play out."

AN: Thanks for the kind and supportive reviews everyone.

Mary: Wow. That is a compliment. I got BM/WW fans to like this story. Thank you to you and your friends. I hope you all like this chapter and what it's leading to.

Stargate: SM and WW faced Circe once in this story. How is it getting repetitive? They don't know about Circe's other appearances in the story as it

is leading to something big and she's working behind the scenes.

Mark: Wow. You know what I thought of your review but once again, thanks for a well thought out review and really capture what's going on in this story. Have you been hacking into my computer?

Proponent: I think Batman was the safest person to go. Anyone else might've been dead. Lois has been tittering for a while and this final moment has pushed Lois to her edge. While I haven't focused on Lois for a while, the moments I did show her did indicate that and Circe has been watching and waiting for the right moment to strike. As strong will Lois can be, she can sucked in like anyone with the right words. She is after all, human and Circe is a powerful enchantress and can prey on your weakest moment and build on it for her own purpose.

Kairan1979: In the Doomsday Sanction, Batman tore into Superman and Wonder Woman about acting like Justice Lords when sending Doomsday to the Phantom Zone. Superman told him they weren't like the Justice Lords and they had no choice. Meanwhile Wonder Woman said nothing during the whole exchange. I'm not sure why she was there if she wasn't going to defend herself. I don't blame Superman and Wonder Woman for being angry at interrupted on their wedding night. :D

Kal-El of Earth 4: Kara wasn't in the ceremony because in the JL series, she left to stay in the future. I forgot to mentioned that. Don't feel too bad for Superman and Wonder Woman, they more than made up for it when they got to the Fortress of Solitude. ;)