Chapter 16

"The Big Reveal"

Metropolis

It had been a very silent morning at the Kent apartment. The few words that had been spoken were all one sided. The other side let her mood be known through other, non-verbal means. The apartment and its contents were taking the brunt of this. Clark had tried to draw Kara out to talk about it, but was having no luck. He decided to give it one more try and came at it from a different angle.

"I know you're upset, Kara, and I'll apologize again for the way you found out," Clark began. "Seeing us like that couldn't have been pleasant for you. I know what it's like, really, I do. When I was first gaining my powers, specifically my x-ray vision, I accidently saw Ma and Pa in pretty much the same situation. I know how traumatic that can be, believe me. I couldn't face them for weeks. I wanted to tear out my eyes with my fingers it was so shocking. I mean, no one wants to think about his or her parents like that, let alone actually see them. It still kind of creeps me out just remembering it."

Clark shuddered a bit as the memory came back. Kara turned and looked at him.

"Gross!" She shouted, making a face. "Why did you have to tell me that? Now I'm going to be picturing Ma Kent doing…doing, oh, God, Clark, are you trying to make me sick? It was bad enough seeing you and her like that, now you've taken it to a whole different level of disgusting! At least you're young, but Ma Kent? It's not like you were the first naked guy I've seen, but euww, now I have that horrible image in my mind! I can't face Ma Kent ever again without thinking of it!"

A shudder went through Kara.

"Wait a second, just what guys have you seen naked, Kara," Clark asked. He'd almost missed that detail, but now his curiosity was peaked. He wasn't sure he liked the idea of his young cousin seeing guys naked.

Kara realized she'd let that slip and hadn't meant to. She blushed with embarrassment, but quickly tried to change the subject.

"We're-We're not-not talking about me-me here, Clark, we're talking about you-you and your girlfriend," Kara stammered. "Let's stay on topic, okay?"

"Just how many guys have you seen naked," Clark asked. "I thought we agreed you weren't supposed to use your x-ray vision like that."

"I didn't," Kara answered before thinking.

'What?"

Clark definitely didn't like what that implied. He stood up and crossed his arms in front of him.

"I think you have some explaining to do, young lady."

"Quite trying to change the subject, Clark! I'm still mad at you! On top of everything else I made a fool of myself on the station! I'm never going to live down screaming and passing out like that," she exclaimed. Clark could see she was embarrassed, and his natural instincts took over.

"Hey, I'm sorry about all of that, really. Since you're talking to me now, maybe you could tell me what I could do to make it up to you? Just tell me and I'll do it, anything."

"Anything?"

"Sure," Clark smiled.

"You could break up with her," Kara quickly asked.

"Okay, anything but that," Clark replied. "Why does me seeing Karen bother you so much, anyway?"

"Because it's not right, that's why," Kara fired back. "She's practically related to you!"

"No, we made sure that she wasn't, actually," Clark countered. "I thought you'd be relieved to know it's official, you're my only blood relative."

"I am, but that also means you should listen to me," Kara said. "She's just not right for you. If you have to date someone from the League, pick someone else, not her!"

"Who would you suggest?"

"I don't know! What am I your dating service now? Just someone else, I don't like her!"

"I'm sorry you don't like Karen, but I really do, okay? Can't you at least try to understand that, please," Clark asked.

"Oh, I understand why any guy would like her, Clark," Kara said sarcastically. "I can think of two reasons that just leap out at you."

"It's not like that," Clark said. He actually blushed a little. He had to admit; physically Karen was a spectacular looking woman. What Kara was referring to didn't exactly go unnoticed by him, either.

"Sure it isn't, Clark, tell me another one," Kara replied. "Here I always thought you were a leg man, but you're just like every other guy."

"A leg man? Why does everybody assume I have some specific type," Clark asked. "I like Karen for more than just her physical appearance, Kara."

"I saw what else you like before I passed out, remember," she countered.

"That's part of it, which I'd really, really rather not talk about, but there's much, much more. I like being around her, okay? Can't you at least try not to hate her, please? For me," Clark asked.

Kara turned and could see the hopefully look on his face. She wanted to tell him no, she couldn't, that she didn't want him seeing her again, but he was being so nice to her.

"I'll try," she reluctantly said.

"Thank you," Clark smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "I really appreciate this."

Kara had to smile herself, even though deep down she knew she would never like him being with her.

"Now who exactly are these men you've seen naked," Clark said, returning to that topic.

"Let it go, Clark," Kara replied. "You kept secrets from me, so I'm allowed to keep secrets from you."

She gave him a triumphant smile and headed back into the living room. Clark was right behind her.

"This is completely different, young lady. I'm technically responsible for you," Clark said. "What would Ma think if she found out?"

"Oh, why did you have to bring up Ma Kent again, Clark," Kara groaned. "Now that picture is back in my head!"

It instantly popped into Clark's head as well. Both of them shuddered at the thought.

"Maybe I could go back in time and stop myself," Clark wondered out loud.

The Watchtower

There was a meeting schedule for the senior members in less than a half hour. At the moment, Dinah was sitting in the cafeteria with Mari, Shayera and Zatanna having a heated discussion.

"Well, one of us has to do it, if we want to find out," Mari said.

"Then you do it," Dinah replied.

"No, why don't you do it?"

"Because I'm the chairwoman of the League, it wouldn't look right," Dinah explained.

"Oh, please, not that tired excuse," Zee said. "You're as bad as Shayera and her trained warrior woman speech."

"Hey!" Shayera complained. "I am a trained warrior!"

"Yeah, yeah, don't start that whole thing again," Dinah interrupted. "Apparently they didn't teach you to take one for the team back on Thanagar."

"Why is it my responsibility to kiss Diana all of a sudden," Shayera asked.

"You could say it was some weird Thanagarian tradition or something," Mari offered. "You know, a bonding between warriors."

"Yeah, you're bird people, so a little peak on the lips wouldn't be that strange," Zee added with a smile.

"Thanks for reducing my people to some weird stereotype," Shayera grumbled. "And to think you're my friend."

"So you'll do it," Dinah asked hopefully.

"No!"

"Then you're going to have to step up, Zatanna."

"Why me?"

"No one would look twice if you did it," Dinah explained. "You're in show business, they'd just think it was something you did all the time."

"I'm a magician, not a pornstar," Zee exclaimed. "What kind of reputation do I have around this place? I mean Mari's a model, that's show business too! You know how models are, why can't she do it?"

"Hey! What exactly is that suppose to mean," Mari protested. "Modeling is a job just like every other job, that's it!"

"I don't know why you three are being so difficult about this," Dinah interrupted. "It's one kiss, just do it."

"I noticed you always exclude yourself in this, Dinah," Zee pointed out. "As the leader or chairwoman, why don't you step up? That's what real leaders do."

"Are you suggesting I'm not a real leader," Dinah replied, a little angry at the suggestion. Zee just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

"You are, aren't you," Dinah huffed.

"Okay, hold it," Mari cut in. "This is getting us nowhere. We'll just have to figure out another way of finding out, is all."

"Fine!" The other three said at the same time.

"The meeting is about to start anyway," Dinah said. She stood up and gave Zee a look before heading off. Shayera got up too, but she seemed deep in thought.

"I really am a trained warrior, I don't know why everyone scoffs at that," she mumbled to herself as she headed into the meeting.

The Main Conference Room

Everyone except Superman was there and the meeting was just about to start when he came dashing in.

"Sorry I'm late," he offered.

"It's okay, the meeting hasn't started yet," Dinah said. Everyone moved towards his or her seats.

"I'm surprised you could pull yourself away," Batman muttered as he moved towards his chair.

"What's that supposed to mean," Clark asked. Batman turned and looked at him.

"Why don't you ask your girlfriend," he replied. This caught Clark off guard and for a moment he just stood looking at Bruce. Before they could continue Dinah called the meeting to order. The members took their seats, but there was a noticeable tension between Batman and Superman. Diana noticed it right away and wondered what was going on. What she didn't notice as the meeting continued were the looks between Shayera and Dinah. They were both trying to urge the other one to make the move, but both resisted. Wally sat back smiling, enjoying it all.

The Cafeteria

The meeting had been going on for almost half an hour. Mari and Zatanna sat at the same table waiting to see if anything happened.

"So you think one of them did it," Mari asked.

"No, they'll both chicken out, just like you," Zee grumbled.

"Hey! What about you?"

"That's what you all want, don't you," Zee asked. "I guess I'm going to have to step up if you three are too scared to do it. I don't know why I'm the one that always has to do this? Some heroes you three turned out to be."

"You're supposed to be a hero too, I'd point out," Mari replied, not liking what Zee was suggesting.

"Yeah, whatever, just watch, those two won't do anything, I'll just bet."

"Well, you should do it anyway," Mari, pointed out. "We all know you want to know more than anyone."

"What's that suppose to mean," Zee asked.

"You totally have the hots for Superman, so it's must be killing you not knowing."

Mari smiled as she saw Zatanna blush.

"That-that's ridiculous! I never said-said I-I had the-the hots for-for Superman," Zee stuttered. She was embarrassed that anyone knew about that.

"Please, who are you kidding? The only time you come up to the tower is when he's here," Mari pointed out.

"That-That's not true!"

"If you say so."

The Conference Room

The meeting was just ending and Dinah gestured for Shayera to make her move. Shayera vehemently shook her head no and gestured of Dinah to do it.

"You're the leader, remember," Shayera whispered. That stopped Dinah.

Meanwhile, Diana was keenly interested in the dynamic between Superman and Batman. They weren't speaking to each other and had hardly said a word during the whole meeting. She wondered what the tension was between the two of them.

Wally was watching Shayera and Dinah. He sensed something was going to happen and could barely contain his excitement.

Jonn spoke up.

"I believe if there is nothing else, the meeting is over. Do you agree, Dinah?"

'What? Oh, yeah, yeah, meeting adjourned. "

Everyone got up from the table and was milling about. Dinah tried one more time to get Shayera to do it, but shook her head no. Sighing in frustration, Dinah worked up her nerve and walked over to Diana. Diana was watching Superman and Batman and didn't see her approach.

"Diana," Dinah tentatively said.

"Yes," Diana replied, turning to see what her teammate wanted.

Dinah took a deep breath and then in the next moment planted one on Diana. Wonder Woman was so caught off guard she didn't know what to do. Her eyes opened in surprise as the other woman kissed her. It was over in only a moment, but a stunned silence hung over the room.

Dinah stepped back and looked at Wally.

"Satisfied?"

"Superman is dating Power Girl," Wally practically shouted.

"What?" Everyone turned towards Wally in shock.

"Oh God," Clark groaned.

Dinah turned to Shayera. "Some warrior you turned out to be."

There was a smug look on her face a she moved over towards Wally for more details. Shayera's temper flared and she stood up and marched over to an already stunned Diana.

"Diana, excuse me but there's a point involved," Shayera said. Before a confused Diana could respond, Shayera took her face in her hands and planted another kiss on her lips. As eager as everyone was to hear more about Clark and Karen, this caught their attention. Shayera stepped back, a triumphant smile on her face.

"I am a warrior. I'm not afraid of that challenge. I hope that ends that discussion."

Shayera immediately went over to where Wally and Dinah were; ready to hear all the details. Diana just stood with her mouth open, shocked and confused by everything.

Jonn and John stood stunned as well. Even Batman and Superman were speechless.

"I'm a bit confused over what just happened," Jonn finally said.

"Join the club," John replied. "Hey, wait, did Wally say you're dating Power Girl, Superman?"

"And so it begins," Batman grumbled as he headed for the door. Clark wanted to talk to him, but everyone was crowding around wanting details.

The Cafeteria

Zee and Mari saw Batman storming out of the conference room.

"So you think either one of them did it," Mari asked.

"No, and now we'll never know," Zee moaned.

"Well, there's one way to find out," Mari teased. Zee looked at her for a moment.

"All right, if you're too afraid, I'll do it!"

"I didn't say I was afraid," Mari protested.

"You don't have to," Zee replied, getting up and heading towards the conference room. Mari followed, unhappy with her statement. The door slowly opened and a rather bewildered Wonder Woman stepped outside. She was still trying to process what had just happened when Zatanna walked straight up to her.

"Sorry, Diana, but sometimes you got to do what you got to do," Zee said.

"Wait! You're not going to…" Diana started to ask, but then was cut off by Zee kissing. Her eyes opened wide in shock and she didn't know what to do. The conference room door opened. Clark and the others started to come out. Everyone stopped in their tracks as they saw Zee kissing Diana.

"Again, sorry, Diana," Zatanna said when she was finished. "I guess I'm the only one with guts enough to do it."

Zee eyes Shayera and Dinah. They both stood speechless, having just kissed Diana themselves. Mari was right behind Zee and had been increasingly pissed about what she was implying. When she saw Zatanna kiss Wonder Woman, she knew she would never hear the end of it. Groaning in frustration, Mari stepped up to a completely flustered Diana.

"You're not the only one Zee with guts, watch," Mari offered and the kissed Diana too. Diana's hands fluttered uselessly at her sides. She was so befuddled by all of this; she didn't know what to do. The others just stood and gawked in shock. Wally had a huge grin on his face.

"This is the best day of my life," He said.