Chapter Seven

"Dark and Light, Layers and Clues"

The Watchtower

An understanding is the limit of a conceptualization. To understand something is to have conceptualized it to a given measure. The most difficult, if truly possible, is the understanding of another human being. Can we ever really know someone else? For that matter, can we know at all times what forces and influences drive ourselves?

The ancient philosophers advised, Know Thyself. Easier said than done. We are the sum of countless experiences, small and large, good and bad, meaningful and trivial. The present is constantly slipping into the past, adding to those experiences, reshaping and refining us. The future never comes, always tantalizing just ahead of us.

Knowing thyself completely is an illusion. The best we can hope for is a basic understanding of our nature, our tendencies. Even the most disciplined mind is still subject to the unconscious. Feelings and thoughts can be pushed down, locked away, yet they always have a habit of finding their way to the surface again.

Batman had been in the training room for almost an hour. Whatever potential villain he was practicing for, the drones stood no chance. Jonn has been monitoring him, but says nothing. The door opens to the observation area and Diana steps inside. He rarely works out on the station, so she wants to see him train. As a warrior herself, she is always interested in any edge a friend or foe might have. Her curiosity about Bruce also has brings her here. He seems even more elusive than usual lately.

There was a hush as the computer reset itself at a higher, more challenging setting. He stands silently waiting, not moving a muscle. He's been pushing himself hard, seemingly harder every day. Others had noticed, but most are afraid to say anything. The computer makes the final calculations and a wave of drones' attacks him. He's seemingly ready for anything. Dodging its first volley, he counter attacks, brutally taking out one drone after another. With cat like reflexes he sidesteps other attack effortlessly. There is no wasted motion in any of it.

He senses others are watching him train, but gives no thought to whether they are a man, a woman, a Martian or alien. They don't exist in here, only the program, and the test of his skills matters. He designed this program himself; giving it a learning curve so it will push him further the longer he runs it. At some point it should logically find a way to defeat him, but it hasn't so far. Only Batman would design a program that will constantly seek new and better ways to hurt and defeat him.

The mind has been compared to a sophisticated computer. Some, taking a strictly behavioral view would say that the brain is simple a sophisticated difference engine, constantly making calculations and choices. Certainly Batman's mind is renown for its intellectual skills. He is legendary for his ability to multitask and be five steps ahead of just about everyone. He has trained his mental abilities for years honing them like a knife-edge. Yet, with all that training and discipline, the comparison always falls short somehow.

Diana watches with some admiration. There is no lost or wasted movement, as he counters each new threat the computer comes up with. Jonn watches, saying nothing, his focus on monitoring the bio-readings of Batman's stress level. They continue to climb as he pushes himself further and further. Jonn is concerned to put it mildly. He knows Batman and can sense the dark feelings swirling just below the surface within him. He has tried reaching out to him before, just as Diana has, but was always rebuffed. This time it seems Batman is on a mission to push himself beyond his limits.

Sweat covers Batman's body under his armor. The speed and frequency of the computer attacks increase with each new wave. Most would stop at this point, but he is not like the others. He constantly feels the need to challenge himself, to push further, suffer the momentary pain for the greater goal. As another series of challenges end with him victorious, he now waits for the next test from the computer.

There is nothing super about his abilities, just the tireless training to be the best possible man he can be. He feels he is at his peak, because he's anticipated every move of his opponents. By knowing what they are capable of and what he is capable of, he is making the battle conform to his terms. He is the master of the situation. Being prepared and running over every possibility beforehand, means the outcome will always be the same. He will wait for the opening, the mistake they are bound to make and then victory will come soon after.

Batman grits his teeth and the computer begins again. This time it attacks with a simple strategy, overwhelming numbers and speed. He manages to deflect the first wave, but they are coming too fast. For a moment it seems to computer has finally figured out the right combination to defeat him.

Then the simulations stops and silence fills the training room. Breathing heavily, Batman whirls around to face the control room. Barely contained anger shows on his face, but only briefly.

"What," he growls.

Jonn's hand is still on the abort button. He glances at Diana and she seems to understand what he's done. She flicks the intercom button open.

"Time's up, Batman," she says. "I have the training room booked for this time."

Jonn silently mouths the words thank you to Diana and she smiles in return. They can both see the frustration on Batman's face, but as always he stays in control.

"Fine, it's all yours, Princess." His voice is neutral as he heads to the exit.

Metropolis

Clark as managed to avoid telling Kara just who he's dating, but it's cost him, dearly. He knew he will be brown bagging it for the foreseeable future. Breakfast had been followed by shopping. He still cringed at the memory of being dragged from one store to the next. If he didn't see another mall again, that would be fine with him. Her mood has brightened as the day went on, so maybe it's worth it. She joined him on his patrol of the city. A few minor problems came up, but they quickly dealt with them. TV crews battled for shots of them, mostly Kara Clark thought. Somehow the male reporters seemed much more interested in a beautiful young female hero than in Superman. All the attention seemed to help her mood, too. Part of him hoped she would give up trying to find out more about who he was dating, but that was really wishful thinking.

Currently, Clark is relaxing in front of the TV and Kara is sitting next to him, staring at him.

"You know it's not polite to stare, Kara," He says to her.

"Why won't you tell me who you're dating, Clark," she asks. She gives him a push on the shoulder to get his attention. "You know I'm going to find out sooner or later. Just tell me."

"Kara, I told you, it's really new and I'd just like to enjoy it a little while longer before telling anyone. I'm sorry, but I promise you'll be the first person I tell, okay?"

"Just tell me now!" she pouts.

"How about later?"

"I could cry, you know," she replied. "I know you can't take that. I know you hate to see a woman, any woman cry. It would be even worse if it was your own flesh and blood, wouldn't it, Clark?"

She gave him a teasing smile and then frowned and lightly ran her finger down her cheek in imitation of a tear. He rubbed his forehead, sighing and shaking his head.

"I think telling me ahead of time you were just doing it to manipulate me kind of lessens the impact, Kara. Can't you just accept that I want to keep this private a little while longer," he replied.

"Yes, but that's no fun. Come on, give me something, just a small detail and I'll stop."

Clark turned and looked at his young cousin. He knew if he didn't give her something, she wouldn't stop. He kind of doubted even if he did give her something that would get her to stop, but it was worth the risk.

"One small detail, that's all, okay?"

"Yes!"

"She's tall," Clark said.

They sat looking at each other for a moment and then Clark smiled and turned back to the TV. Kara's mouth hung open in disbelief.

"That's it? She's tall," she complained, punching him in the shoulder.

"You said a small detail. Ow, by the way," Clark replied.

"Well, that doesn't help at all! Come on, Clark, give me something better than that."

"Like what?"

"Her first name."

"I don't think so. You said one small detail."

"That's not fair!" Kara grumbled. "Now all I have is she's tall and brunette."

"I didn't say she was brunette," Clark corrected her.

"Well, of course she is," replied Kara. "That's your type, isn't it?"

"My type? I didn't realize I had a type," Clark offered.

"Oh, come on, Clark, everybody sees it," Kara informed him. "Lana, Lois, Diana, Zatanna, all brunettes. How much plainer could it be? You always go for the dark haired ones."

"Um, Kara, just a small thing," Clark said. "I haven't dated Diana or Zatanna, and barely Lois, so your theory falls apart."

"What about Lana?"

"That's one and I don't think that makes it a pattern or type."

"I still say this new girl is brunette."

"You'd be wrong," Clark replied. He then realized he's given more information to her. He looked over and Kara had a big smile on her face.

"Sneaky, Kara, very sneaky."

'So now she's tall and not a brunette, anything else?"

"No."

"That's still doesn't narrow it down much. I'm tall and not a brunette," Kara observed. Clark made a face at this and she hit him again.

"I'm not talking about this any more," Clark replied.

"Even if I say please, Clark," Kara asked.

"You know, it's been a long day, I think I'm going to turn in."

Clark stood up with a smile and then started for his bedroom.

"Night, Kara."

He called this over his shoulder as he closed his door. She sat on the sofa, frustrated, but more curious than ever. She would just have to wear him down bit by bit until he surrendered.

New York

Karen climbed into bed, exhausted from a rather long day. The smile she'd been wearing all day was still on her face as she turned out her light. Being with Clark had been the most amazing night of her life. As she lay there in the dark, little things came back to her. The feel of his touch against her skin, his lips against hers played over and over in her mind. It was the tactile sensations of their night together that astonished her.

It was amazing to feel everything so fully. With anyone else, she wouldn't have experienced it. Knowing she had the same affect on him, only added to the pleasure of the night. It was really the first time for both of them she realized. With anyone else, they would have to be careful, always mindful of staying in control. She'd almost gotten used to never knowing what it was like.

Now that she'd experienced it with him, she wanted more of it. Karen knew it would be difficult. He was Superman, after all. The thought of what the others would say made her cringe a little bit. While she was every bit a superhero in her own right, she knew she wasn't thought of in his class. He was an icon, probably the most famous hero in the world.

As she thought about it, she found she didn't care. It really wasn't anyone else's business what they do. They'd just found each other against all odds. They had a common heritage, even if they weren't related thankfully. If they were back on Krypton, it wouldn't be a problem for them to date, so why should it be here? Wasn't it only natural that two people so similar should find each other? if they wanted to date, why should that be a problem for anyone else? If others couldn't accept it, maybe the best thing was to keep it private.

It would be their special secret.

The screen on her phone lit up and Karen reach over to see whom it was. It was a text message from Clark.

"Can't stop thinking of you."

A smile lit up Karen's face.