Chapter Eight

"Girl Watcher"

Southeast Asia

They were truly beings of the air. Wind, temperature, storms had no barring on their gifts. They were the living embodiment of man's age-old dream to fly. How could they not revel in the sheer joy of it? Add to that they could share this with one another, away from prying eyes, made it too tempting a situation for Clark and Karen.

They hadn't seen each other since their one night together. Both had been thinking constantly about their next meeting and then it happened on the station. Clark was almost finished with his shift and was sitting in the cafeteria having coffee when he looked up and saw her. He probably wasn't the first to notice that her uniform left little to the imagination. Having seen her without it, Clark found it difficult not to picture her that way again. There was just no getting around it; Karen was a stunningly beautiful woman. The memory of their night together began to stir those same desires within Clark. He wanted her.

Since her move to New York, Karen had been putting more time in with the League, helping out where she could. She'd taken an extra shift today, giving Green Lantern a much-needed day off. The other, real reason she'd taken it was she saw Clark's name on the roster, too. She hadn't been able to call him, as Kara seemed to always be there when she tried and neither one of them wanted to deal with that just yet. On top of that, her business had kept her busy so she couldn't fly down to Metropolis. This was the first break in her schedule and she knew she had to see him again.

As she walked into the cafeteria, saying hello to Dinah and Ollie, her eyes scanned the crowd looking for him. A thrill raced through her when their eyes met. She had to will herself not to rush over to his table. She wasn't sure she would be able to stop herself from kissing him if she did. As Karen casually let her eyes roam over his magnificent form, the telltale signs of arousal began. She wanted him.

Thankfully, a mission came up, saving them from a rather embarrassing situation in front of all the League members. A fire had broke out deep in the rainforest and threatened to spread. Jonn signaled Clark and he made his way to the command center, stealing one more glance at Power Girl.

"Yeah, Jonn," Clark said as he walked into the commanded center.

"I know your shift is almost over, but this has just come up," Jonn replied. He showed Clark the latest satellite images of the fire.

"I'll transport down immediately."

"If you wait a moment, I'll see if there is anyone else that can assist you," Jonn said.

"I'll go." A voice said from the doorway. Jonn and Clark turned to see Power Girl standing there.

"Your shift is almost over as well, Power Girl and you are only filling in for Lantern," Jonn replied.

"If I can help, I'm willing," she offered, trying not to let her gaze turn to Clark.

"Superman," Jonn asked.

"I'd love to have her, I mean, ah, um, have her on this mission," Clark stumbled to say. "If you don't need Karen for something else that is?"

"No, this is the most pressing issue," Jonn replied. "Alright, Power Girl join Superman."

"My pleasure," she smiled, hoping it didn't come out sounding too excited.

She stepped up onto the platform next to Clark, willing herself not to reach out and touch him. He could feel the heat of her skin so near to his.

"Are you two ready," Jonn asked.

"Yes!' The both answered a little too quickly. Jonn gave them a look, but didn't say anything. He beamed them down to the crisis area. In the next moment they appeared five thousand feet above the fire. They looked at each other for a moment.

"First things first." Karen said and Clark nodded. They headed down to the fire. It was in such a remote part of the jungle that government workers were having a difficult time getting to it. This meant Clark and Karen were alone.

For the next hour they used their considerable skills and abilities to first control and then extinguish the fire. With such a delicate ecosystem, they had to be careful they didn't do more damage in stopping the fire than the fire would do on its own. It took time and concentration, but their diligence paid off. They both landed, as the last embers went out.

"Jonn," Clark called. "The situation is in hand, but we're going to stay a little while just to be sure."

"Understood, Superman," Jonn replied. "Good work, both of you."

As the communications ended, Clark started to turn towards Karen. Before he could speak, her arms circled around his neck pulling him into a rather passionate embrace. It was a deep sensual kiss and he could feel all of her body pressed against his. When they finally pulled just a little apart, they were both breathing heavily.

"I wanted to do that since the moment I saw you in the cafeteria," she whispered.

"Yes," was all Clark could think to say, as he pulled her into another passionate embrace. No more words were spoken, as they gave into their desires.

Three hours later they transported back up to the station. Wally was manning the controls.

"Looks like another great job, Blue," he smiled. "Mussed you two up a little, huh? What with the smoke and all?"

Clark quickly adjusted his cape and tried to smooth down his hair.

"Yeah, Wally, that's it, the smoke and all" he replied.

"Hey, Power Girl, I don't know if you noticed it, but your belt is on backwards," Wally observed. "Why you need a belt with that outfit, I never understood, but I always liked it."

Karen blushed as she rearranged her belt.

"Um, ah, thanks, Wally," she managed to say. "I should probably get cleaned up."

She started for the door but something made her look back at Clark.

"Yeah, I think I could use a shower too," he said, his eyes looking deep into hers.

"That's for the 411, Big Blue, I'll alert the media," Wally sarcastically replied.

"I just have a sudden urge to get out of this uniform." Clark mentioned as he headed towards the door right behind Karen.

"Me too," Karen whispered.

They were out the door and heading towards the habitat ring in the next moment. Wally shook his head and went back tot he controls.

"Poor guy, no wonder he doesn't have a date," Wally mused. "There's smoking hot Power Girl standing right there, and all he can think about is cleaning up. What a Boy Scout."

Wally chuckled to himself at this notion.

Four Hours later

Batman arrived on the station to do some research in a foul mood. This had become the norm lately and most people wisely gave him a wide berth. Jonn was back in charge of the command center as he walked in.

"Good evening, Batman," Jonn offered.

"Evening."

Bruce went over to the recent logs and scanned through them.

"Superman was here," he asked.

"Yes, his shift ended earlier," replied Jonn.

"Any missions tonight?"

" Few small ones, it's mostly been quiet. There was a forest fire in the rainforest in Southeast Asia, but Superman handled it."

"He didn't need an assistances?"

"Power Girl happened to be here and went with him," Jonn replied.

"Did she now," Batman said. His mood seemed to only darken at this piece of information. "Are the both still here?"

"No, they just left a few minutes ago."

"Together?"

"At the same time, yes," Jonn informed him.

"I see," Batman replied. "I'll be in the computer room, make sure I'm not disturbed will you Jonn?"

"Of course."

Jonn watched him stalk out of the room, sensing the anger radiating off him. Something was troubling him deeply, but Jonn didn't wish to invade his privacy. Whatever it was, Jonn had a feeling it was deeply personal.

Metropolis

A week had past. Kara had become Clark's shadow, following him wherever he went. He had always wanted a close family, but this was ridiculous. He finished up at the Planet only to find her waiting for him as he exited the building. They'd walked back to the apartment, stopping to pick up some Chinese food on the way. Currently, Clark was sitting at the kitchen table eating. Kara was sitting right across from him.

"Do you want some of the sweet and sour," he asked.

"It's getting to you, isn't it, Clark," Kara smiled.

"No, I like spicy food, I just thought I'd be polite," he replied.

"That's not what I mean!" She threw her chopsticks at him. "The pressure, Clark, can you feel it? Wherever you go, I'm going to be there. I'm not giving you a minute's peace until you tell me."

"I could just fly away," he offered.

"I'd catch you. Just face it there's not escape, Clark," she smiled.

"You're not going to give up, are you?"

"Nope."

"I was thinking of spending the whole weekend in Smallville, Kara, just hanging around the farm. So I guess you'll be coming with me? Just think of it, working in the barn with the animals, helping out in the fields. There will be nobody around for miles, nothing to do except work, work, work, till you're too tired to move. Then dinner and maybe we can sit around and all watch Matlock or Murder She Wrote."

"You're bluffing," she countered. "Besides, don't you have a couple of shifts on the Watchtower this weekend?"

"Yeah, that's right," Clark smiling, digging into his food.

"You are so weird, sometimes, Clark. Most people aren't happy about having to spend time working on the weekends," Kara complained.

"Well, it is the one place you don't follow me. I kind of like the silence," He replied.

"Oh, ha-ha, aren't you cute," Kara grumbled. "You're in an awfully good mood, Clark, that makes me suspicious."

"You're not going to keep asking me questions all night, are you," he said. "Just one meal without them, please?"

"Maybe, if you're nice to me," Kara smiled.

"I don't know how much nicer I can afford to be, Kara," Clark replied.

"All part of the strategy, Clark," she informed him. "Step by step, bit by bit, I'm going to wear you down until you crumbled. You'll only have work and the Tower away from me."

Clark instantly thought to the last several times he'd been on the Tower. Power Girl had been there too. He was actually looking forward to this weekend's shifts. The smug look on Kara's face brought out the mischievous side of Clark.

"All right, Kara, I will tell you something, okay? But I want you to promise you'll give me a break tonight. Fair?"

"Deal," she said with enthusiasm. She leaned forward ready to claim her victory.

"The woman I'm dating," Clark began. His tone was very serious. "I like her because she's smart and funny and beautiful."

Kara sat smiling waiting for him to continue. When he didn't and started eating again, the smile turned into a frown.

"That's it? She's smart and funny?"

"And beautiful," Clark added between mouthfuls.

"A tall, smart, funny blonde, who you think is beautiful, that's all you're going to give me?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Clark replied.

"There's terrible, Clark," Kara complained. "That describes thousands of women. God, it even describes me!"

"I'd use different adjectives to describe you, Kara," Clark countered with a smile.

"That's not fair, no deal."

"You already agreed to it, remember?"

"I changed my mind!'

"Too late," Clark said, finishing his food and getting up to wash his dishes. Kara sat there steaming for a moment. He'd gotten around her again, and she hated that. A new idea came to her mind and a wicked smile crossed her lips.

"I know the real reason you won't tell me, Clark," she said in a sad voice. "You're ashamed of me, aren't you? That's it, isn't it?"

Clark turned and looked at her for a moment. She'd caught him completely off guard with this and he wasn't sure how to take it. He felt terrible if that's how he made her feels. He moved back over and sat down next to Kara.

"Hey, don't even think that," he said seriously. "I'd never be ashamed of you, just the opposite, I'm proud of you, Kara."

"So you'll tell me who your new girlfriend is," she quickly replied. Clark looked at her and then dropped his head in his hands.

"You're shameless," he muttered. "I can't believe I fell for a guilt trip."

"How about just telling me her initials?"

Gotham

Batman returned from the Watchtower and went straight down to the cave. Alfred had seen this pattern for last few months now and it concerned him. Since the incident with the villain Hush and Miss Kyle, Master Bruce had been pulling further away from everyone. Her buried himself in work, pushing himself harder and harder until he collapses with exhaustion. Only then would he rest, but it was a fitful sleep that didn't last long.

It had always been Alfred's deepest fear that Bruce Wayne would one day slip totally away and there would only be the Batman left. He could see the first sights of it already. He rarely went out as Bruce Wayne any more. He seemed to be deliberately cutting himself off from anyone that cared for him. Alfred had tried several times to get through to him, but was rebuffed in no uncertain terms.

A man of considerable observational skills, himself, Alfred was always in tune with Master Bruce's moods. He could tell something had happened recently that troubled him. The mood swings; short temper and coldness were clear indications that Batman saw a threat on the horizon. They also indicated to Alfred that he didn't know how to deal with it yet. Bruce wouldn't talk about it or even give a hint as to what it was, but Alfred didn't like where it seemed to be going.

It was just a hunch, but the older man had a feeling someone was going to get very hurt by whatever Batman was troubled by. Alfred just prayed it wasn't Bruce Wayne.