Chapter Three

"Thank you - Thank you"

Metropolis

Clark was deep in thought as he walked back to his apartment. Things had gone much better on his date with Karen then he expected, much better. Originally it was just to cheer her up and get out of the apartment, but as the night went on he found himself becoming more and more attracted to her.

He, of course, had noticed before how incredibly gorgeous she was. He wasn't that big a Boy Scout, but the whole cousin thing had stopped any further thoughts. As the night went on and they spent more time together, he began to see her in a different light. She was fun, with a smart playful side he hadn't known about. She was a confident woman, who had grown into her own in the past years. It made her extraordinarily alluring to him.

The other part that was such a fresh change for him was he didn't have to worry about being himself around her. His gifts had always forced him to treat everyone as if they were made of the most delicate glass. He had to be constantly vigilant or he would injury someone or worse, even with most of his teammates. Because of who she was and where she was from, he didn't have to be so cautious. He could put his arm around her and give her shoulder a squeeze without worrying about crushing it to dust.

Maybe this was what it would have been like if he's grown up on Krypton?

He could just be another guy going out on a date with a young woman. The fact that she was beautiful, sexy, funny and smart didn't hurt either. He realized he probably had a little crush on her already. He definitely wanted to get to known her better. There was just the whole cousin thing he had to figure out first.

He really hoped they weren't related and was already thinking of ways to find out for sure. There were so few people; especially women that his gifts weren't an issue with, he didn't want to miss a chance with one of the more charming ones.

While his mind was preoccupied with these thoughts, he failed to hear the running footsteps of one of the other young women that shared his gifts. Kara had just arrived and seeing Clark deep in thought she decided to surprise him.

"Clark!" she shouted and then leaped into his arms.

"He-eeyy, Kara." Clark managed to say, even as he tried to keep his balance under the impact of her embrace.

"Gotcha!" She laughed, disengaging herself from him. Clark caught his breath for a second before answering.

"Yeah, you did, so wh-what are you doing here," he asked.

"School's out, so I thought I'd come to the city and see you, Cous!"

"Couldn't wait to escape the farm, huh?"

"God, yes! I know you grew up there, but that was like a million years ago! I'm eighteen! I'm a city girl at heart!"

"Did you even let them know you were leaving," he asked.

"Yes! Of course, Clark, give me some credit? I tried calling you last night, but you must have been out saving the city or something," she replied. "Though I didn't see anything on the news, so where were you last night, Clark?"

"Um, ah, I went out."

"You? On a Saturday night? Was there some neighbor garden outreach thing or something," she asked.

"Just how old do you think I am, Kara? I went to a movie, okay?"

"Wow, you're so cutting edge, Clark," she sarcastically replied.

"I've missed you too, Kara. How long are you staying?"

"All summer! Isn't that great," she excitedly said.

"Great, that's one word for it,' Clark absently replied. "Are you sure about that, I mean I can't always be around all the time, you know."

"I'm eighteen, Clark, I don't need a babysitter," she fired back. "If things had worked out the way they should, I'd have been babysitting you, remember?"

"Yes, suspended animation is so unfair," he teased. "On the bright side, if it had worked out that way, you'd be the one a thousand years old and I'd be the teenager."

"Yeah, that would have been a waste," she admitted.

"Thanks again, Kara, you're always good for my ego."

"Oh, come on, Clark, I'm just having fun with you. This summer is going to be great, just the two of us! Maybe even some of my coolness will rub off on you," she said. "Maybe I can help you find a girlfriend, too! Think of all the possibilities!"

"Yeah, just think of them." He offered with a false enthusiasm. "Great, just great."

"Aw, come on, you know I'm your one and only favorite cousin, Clark!"

Kara practically skipped into his apartment building, overjoyed at being in Metropolis.

"I like the idea of one and only," he thought to himself. Clark could already hear her moving things around in his apartment and making herself at home. He stood on the sidewalk wondering why his life could never be simple. He thought of Karen again and wondered if he should call her? That made two things he would have to figure out very soon.

New York

Karen sat in her office trying to concentrate on the latest reports, but two questions seemed to dominate her thinking. One, were they related? Two, why hadn't he called? The first question she'd been mulling over since their date and had a few ideas on finding out one way or the other. The second question was more troubling and she had no answer.

It had been a great date as far as she was concerned. They'd had fun or at least she knew she did. From their one kiss, she certainly believed he'd enjoyed it. Could she be reading it all wrong? Then again, she thought, Clark was always something of a mystery to her and probably just about everyone else. Up until the other night, she'd just seen him as Superman, world famous hero or as Clark Kent, nice, mild mannered guy, but she'd seen a different side to him on the date.

There was a quiet confidence about him that usually you miss, as he seemed to deflect all attention from him, especially when he was being Clark Kent. She'd been joking about layers, but now she realized he had so many more than she'd realized. Sitting thinking of him, she found something intensely masculine about Clark. She found herself responding in a very feminine way and she liked it.

She could be flirty and playful around him, not worrying if she intimidated him. Again the word 'quiet' came to mind. He was quietly comfortable in his skin, as if he knew who he was so he didn't feel threatened by another's strength or material possessions. This was an intensely attractive quality to her, for most men she met she was never sure if they were attracted to her for who she was, what she represented or what they could get from her.

It had always made her cautious around men. A couple had fooled her in the past and it still hurt. She'd realized too late they were only after her money or wanted to date her as some sort of conquest, a trophy notch on their bedpost to tell their friends. It made her leery of men in general. She tended to dress more conservatively and act more professionally around them now. She was sure that was part of why she intimidated so many or turned them off in general.

Those she's rebuffed could be cruel, spreading rumors or innuendo about her. She'd almost gotten used to the jokes about her breasts, but deep down it still hurt.

With Clark she realized it hadn't been like that. He wasn't constantly staring at her chest or thinking about how to get her into bed. Although as she thought about it, the idea didn't exactly bother her. God, she thought, I've already got a crush on him. I really need to find out if we're cousins soon. Why hasn't he called?

The Watchtower

Clark sat at one of the back tables staring at his cell phone. Should I call, he wondered? He'd been waiting to talk to Ray to try and get this whole cousin thing figured out, but he had this nagging feeling he should call her.

As he went back and forth with what to do Wally and Ollie came into the cafeteria. On seeing Clark they came over and sat down.

"Hey, big guy, you look like a man with a problem," Wally said.

"What? Oh, hey Wally, Ollie," Clark replied.

"What's up, Clark," Ollie asked.

"Yeah, what's with the soulful looks at the cell phone?"

"Well, I went out with someone the other night, " Clark said and the quickly clarified, "just a movie. Anyway I had a really good time, but now I'm wondering if I should call her."

"Has it been three days," Wally asked.

"No."

"Well, there's your answer, Big Blue,' Wally replied. "I thought every guy knew the three-day rule. Back me up on this Ollie."

"I've heard of the three day rule," Ollie said.

"Care to enlighten me," Clark asked.

"You like this woman right," Wally asked.

"Yes."

"You wait three days from the time of the date to call. You don't want to come off as needy."

"Or have a Swingers situation," Ollie added.

"I hear you, brother," Wally replied. "It's all about hand in the relationship, Big Blue. Call before three days and you lose it."

"Is that what you did with Dinah, Ollie?"

"That's a completely different situation, Clark."

"Just go with me on this, big guy, you'll thank me later," Wally said. "I'm speaking from experience."

"Are you even dating anyone right now, Wally," Clark asked.

"No, not at the moment. Why?"

"Nothing," Clark replied. "Have either of you seen Ray around?"

"Yeah, he's done in the lab," Ollie replied.

"Thanks, I need to speak with him about something," Clark said. He was just standing up when Wally spoke up.

"So who is this lady, Clark? Anyone we know, huh? Huh?"

"Thanks for the information, guys," Clark said with a smile and walked away.

"If you need anymore advice on the ladies, you know where I'm at," Wally shouted.

"Thanks."

"I'm like a modern Dr. Drew on Loveline," Wally said to Ollie.

"Wasn't that show cancelled?"

'What's your point?"

The Watchtower- Later

Zatanna, Shayera, Dinah and Wally were sitting at the table with Diana. They were offering unsolicited advice to her on Batman. Power Girl had been lingering around the edges listening. She was here to see Mr. Terrific to get some answers, but found herself interested in the discussion. She wasn't exactly close with any of them, but this was too good to pass up. Quietly she slipped into one of the empty chairs at the table.

"Still no luck with Bruce, huh, Diana," Zatanna asked.

'He is a difficult man to read," she replied.

"He's a mystery wrapped in an enigma," Wally offered. Shayera gave him a look.

"Bruce is just a guarded type, Diana. He's like that with everyone," Dinah said.

"It's just going to take time," Shayera offered.

"Maybe he's just not that into you," Wally said. Shayera smacked him.

"Hey, I saw the movie, come on! Talk about mixed messages, two thumbs down."

"I liked it, it was romantic," Zee spoke up. "I liked the message."

"It spends most of the movie telling women all these fairy tales they've been told are really wrong and then they give them the fairy tale at the end," Wally explained.

"It shows that fairy tales do come true," Zee replied.

"But isn't the whole first message of the movie that they're not? Take the guy that won't commit to marriage part. He's against it, he's against it, and he's against it, until she finally realizes he's never going to marry her and breaks up with him. What does he do? Asks her to marry him! I mean come on!" Wally said.

"You don't have a romantic bone in your body, do you," Shayera asked.

"Hey, I resent that! I'm just asking for some consistence is all," Wally defended himself.

"Ah, guys, could we put the movie reviews on hold and focus on the issue, please," Dinah said.

"Right, sorry Diana," Zee offered.

"Sorry, Princess."

"No, it's just confusing, is all. I'm new to all of this. Perhaps I should just go with my instincts and try the direct approach."

"That's an idea," Dinah replied.

"Bruce likes direct," Zee chimed in.

"I will do it, thank you all,' Diana said. She got up and walked with a purpose out of the cafeteria.

"You really think that's going to work," Wally asked after Diana left.

"No." Dinah shook her head.

"Not a chance," Zee added.

"I really doubt it with Bruce," Shayera said.

"I'm lost," Wally admitted.

"That's why you didn't understand the movie, Wally," Zee replied.

"I understood it," Wally defended himself. "I even agreed with some of it, up to a point."

"Like what? That stupid three day rule," Dinah laughed.

"That's not stupid, that's good sound advice!"

"Yeah, if you like someone don't call them, genius," Zee replied.

"It's a guy thing, you wouldn't understand. In fact, I was just counseling Big Blue to follow it.'

"Superman? Why," Dinah asked.

Wally smiled and leaned forward.

"Well, you know I hate to gossip, but guess who had a date?"

Karen's face went pale.

"Superman? Superman had a date? With who," Zee asked.

"He wouldn't say," Wally admitted,

"Well that's interesting, don't you think so, Power Girl," Dinah asked.

"What? Oh, yes, interesting," Karen barely managed to reply.

"I wonder what his type is," Shayera asked.

"I see him with an exotic, sexy brunette, "Zee offered.

"Are you describing yourself," Shayera asked. Zee just blushed.

"I'm going with a big, buxom blonde," Wally said. "A real looker.'

Karen's face turned a darker shade of red with embarrassment.

"Na, I think dark hair is his thing," Dinah replied. "What about you, Power Girl? You're his cousin, any insight into what sort of woman he's attracted to?"

"You know we're probably really not cousins," Karen started. "Um, ah, no, no clue."

Mercifully, Mr. Terrific appeared at the doorway and called out to Karen. She quickly excused herself, leaving the others to continue their debate.

The Watchtower Lab – Earlier

Clark found Ray busy working on some new project. He approached the subject of his and Power Girl being cousins in a round about way. Ray seemed to think about it for a moment.

"Why do you want to know if you're cousins, Clark?"

"Well, it's just that, um, in case anything should happen between us or would happen," Clark fumbled to say.

"What? Like needing an organ transplant or something," Ray offered.

"Yes! Yes, that would be a good example, Ray!"

"You know it's actually quite an interesting subject, Clark. Genetics have always been something of passion of mine."

Ray went on to discuss theoretical ideas of genetics and how it might apply to Clark and Karen. He began writing equations on the board until finally Clark had to stop him.

"Ah, Ray, I did really well in science back at Smallville High, but I think our teacher skipped the chapter on cutting edge, theoretical genetics. How about in layman's terms?"

"Well, it boils down to yes and no, Clark."

"In what way?"

"Yes, you're related in the same way that all Kryptonians are related. Yours was a rather advanced society. They used the birthing matrix to produce offspring, purifying the DNA of every child so it would be perfect. I would imagine they used mostly the parents DNA, but where there might be a defect they would use someone else's. A purer sample if you will."

"So we're related?"

Clark felt a little crestfallen at the thought.

"Like I said, yes and no,' Ray continued. "While in some ways every Kryptonian is related, there isn't a direct familial connection between the two of you, say the way there is with Kara."

"So we're not related?"

Clark felt his spirits start to soar at this.

"Your DNA is close enough for a organ transfer, very close."

"So we are related."

"If you look at DNA sample of the two of you, there are many similarities, but also differences.'

"Could you bottom line it for me, Ray? Are we related or not?"

"No. You're both Kryptonian, but as far as a direct blood connection, I don't see one. The good news is that as far as organ transplants, you are close enough of a match."

A smile lit up Clark's face. He gently reached out and laid his hand on Ray's shoulder.

'Thank you, Ray, you've really helped me far more than you realized."

"Well, I'm glad to help, Clark," Ray replied. He smiled himself now. "You know if you're really interested in this, I haven't even gotten into the whole alternative universe part of it."

Clark was too happy to cut him off and Ray walked with him out of the lab, elaborating further.

Neither of them noticed a figure step out of the shadows. Batman's eyes narrowed as he watched them walk away.

Watchtower Science Lab – Later

Mr. Terrific and Karen had both been chairpersons of the Justice Society and got to know each other somewhat. He was the smartest man she knew, so it was him she turned to for answers.

"So your message said you needed my help, Karen?"

She had worked out what she thought was a plausible story for why she wanted to know and launched into it.

"Yes, Michael, I appreciate your help with something. I'm starting up my business as you know and part of that is a health plan for all the employees. It's a great plan, really comprehensive. As part of my secret identity, I had to fill out the paperwork too. One of the questions was about next of kin. I put down Clark, of course, but it went on into organ transplants and that sort of thing. I'm not going to need it really, but it got me wondering if Clark and I are actually related. I was hoping you might help me figure whether we really are or not."

Just the way she's rehearsed it, Karen thought to herself. Mr. Terrific gave it some thought before replying.

"There should be several ways to know for sure."

"Really," she replied. She tried to keep the excitement out of her voice, but it was hard.

"Well, let's put aside the genetics for a moment and focus on the obvious. You're not from this universe, Karen, you're from the Earth-2 universe."

"Okay, so?"

"I'm sorry to say, but technically you're not related to anyone in this universe."

"So we're not related?"

Her excitement was rising.

"Each universe has a distinct quantum signature and everyone from the universe has it. That's how you can tell the difference. In a theoretical multi-verse, each universe is separate and distinct. While people in the different universes might look the same and be the same, they're slightly different. If you were actually related to anyone it would be the Kal-L from the Earth-2 universe. There's really no proof of even that."

"So we're definitely not related," she repeated.

'Well for an organ donor, you'd be a match, probably for a blood donor too, but as far as what we traditionally think of as related in this universe, no."

"Thank you, Mike, you've really been a big help," she smiled.

"You know I think Ray did some genetic work on this question, too, Karen. His findings match up with what I'm saying."

"That's great, just great! You've put my mind at ease."

"Glad I could help," he smiled.

"Oh, you have, you have, thank you!"

The two started for the exit. Mr. Terrific happened to glance over at Karen.

"Um, Karen, you realize you're floating, don't you?"

"What? Oh, sorry, I wasn't thinking," she said with a blush. She quickly landed again.

As they exited the room, again neither saw the dark figure step out of the shadows. The frown on Batman's face only deepened.

New York

It had been a very eventful day for Karen. The news from Mr. Terrific was wonderful and she almost felt like bursting with happiness. Unfortunately, two things got in the way. She still had a business to run and employees that were counting on her. As frustrating as it was, she spent the next several hours doing paperwork, returning phone calls, overseeing production and managing her small staff. It was almost ten before she finally got to leave the office.

She walked home, the news still sending ripples of excitement through her. The other dark cloud on that horizon was that Clark still hadn't called. Why hadn't he called? She could call him, but there was principal involved. He should call her, that's the way things are done.

Maybe he's just not that into me, swirled around in Karen's head. It just put a damper on her otherwise great mood. She rounded the corner to her building wondering if she'd completely misread the signals. Was today all a big waste, she wondered?

As she look up she got her answer.

Clark was standing at the bottom of her steps holding a bouquet of flowers. He smiled when he saw her. A smile lit up her face as well. Slowly they walked towards each other.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"These are for you," he said, holding out the flowers.

"Thank you."

"I learned some interesting news today," he smiled.

"Me too," she replied with a smile of her own.

"We're not related!" They both said at the same time. Their smiles only got bigger.

"So."

"So."

"I thought if you wanted, we could try going out again,' Clark said.

"I'd like that, maybe," she replied. "Just one thing. Why didn't you call?"

She punched him.

"Ow! Apparently there's a rule that I'm not suppose to call for three days," he offered.

"That's a stupid rule," she fired back. "So what are you doing here?"

"I checked, there's nothing about seeing you in person," he replied. "And I did want to see you in person, very, very much, Karen."

"In person's better," she admitted. He slowly moved towards her and she knew he was going to kiss her. She felt her excitement rising as his lips moved closer to hers. It was an even better kiss than the last one.

"In person is much better,' she murmured before kissing him again.