Chapter Twenty-Five
"Turn, Turn, Turn"
New York
They had talked everything out, holding nothing back. Fears, doubts, concerns on both sides were expressed. She was honest with him and slowly he opened up and let her know his fears as well. He was always a guarded man by nature. Because of who he was and what he could do, most never even considered that he had doubts and fears just like everyone else. Even when his teammates and friends asked 'is everything alright' they were just talking about physically.
With her, he could finally voice those feelings he'd been holding in for so long. She in turn opened up to him. Since arriving here, she had been so determined to make it on her won, to show that she could take it with the best of them. With him, she could finally let her guard down.
For the first time, perhaps ever, they could be vulnerable.
It was just one more piece to the growing love between them. In each other's arms the world seemed very far away. Like countless couples throughout time and across the globe they retreated from the world into one of their own.
It was private, just theirs, and only theirs.
They knew too soon the outside world would intrude, but for these precious moments it was theirs alone.
Clark and Karen.
The caress of a shoulder, touch of lips against cheek and feel of a pulse quicken under a feather touch of fingertips were sensations only they could give to each other. Perhaps in another moment or time, it wouldn't be the same and better with another, but at this moment it was perfect for them. Magic happens in those moments. All the masks and pretense are stripped away. The real individual that we usually only see when we're alone and look in the mirror is suddenly reflected back in the eyes of another individual.
It's at that moment you know you've found the right individual for you. It's when the possibility of a future with this person becomes real to you. The thought of not being with this person seems intolerable. It's when you realize the like, lust; caring and desire have turned into something so much more, love.
At first you just want to blurt it out to the world, but then all those worries and fears that have been heaped on you by society, friends and family stop you. The questions and doubts come. What if they aren't feeling the same thing you are? What if you shouted it out and they remain silent? What if you've just been kidding yourself that this is more than what it really is?
In that moment we are all cowards and heroes. We're cowards for doubting it and not shouting it from the rooftops. We're heroes for having the courage to whisper it.
"I love you."
"I love you."
Then all the doubts and fears are forgotten. Joy like you hadn't imagined sweeps over you.
Karen and Clark finally understood this. It was their moment.
The world can't wait any longer to intrude. Clark's League communicator lit up.
"Yes, Superman here?'
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Superman, but there is an attack in Metropolis." Jonn's dispassionate voice came in reply.
"Isn't Kara handling," Clark asked. "Nothing's happened to her, has it?"
The concern was plain in his voice.
"No, she is handling it, but I thought you would want to know who launched the attack."
"Who, Jonn?"
"Toyman.'
"Oh, God, I'm on my way. Superman out."
Clark was already rising from the couch and heading towards the window.
"Toyman?" Karen asked, not quite understanding what was going on. "Why is that a problem?"
"Kara hates Toyman," Clark replied and then opened the window and took to the skies.
Metropolis
It took only a matter of seconds for Clark to arrive and he immediately saw it was worse than he'd hoped. The look on Kara's face told him all he needed to know. She was pissed, beyond pissed and it was all focused on Toyman.
"Come on, Blondie, it was a compliment," Toyman shouted. He was pulling out all the stops, sending battalions of green army men at her. "You're just too touchy! Is it a heavy flow day or something?"
"I-AM-GOING-TO-RIP-YOUR-SCRAWNY-ARMS-OFF-AND-BEAT-YOU-TO-DEATH-WITH-THEM!" Kara enunciated each word, practically growling out each syllable.
"I'm sensing anger from you," Toyman replied. He sent another wave of green army men and toy helicopters at her, wanting to keep out of her reach. "Have you ever thought of taking up yoga? It really centers the mind and body and the tension and anger just melt away."
In response, Kara just ripped the heads off several army men.
"Okay, that's a nonstarter, I see," Toyman grimaced. "Have you thought about just getting laid? I mean as shorties go you're smoking hot! You got a great little a…"
"Shut up, you foul mouthed little puppet! When I get my hands on you, let's see how much you have to say!"
'What? Is that what this is about? You want to take a ride on the Toyman train? Why didn't you just say so," Toyman smirked.
"You're a dead man!"
Superman landed in front of Kara just as her eyes started to glow.
"Kara, I know you're upset, but you can't fry him," Clark patiently said.
"Want to bet," she fired back, trying to move around Clark to get a clear shot at Toyman.
"Oh, great!" Toyman lamented. "Now Papa Bear shows up! Don't you hero types ever take a day off? I read where you have this major new babe as a girlfriend, so I figure I can break out and pull off a job, but Blondie shows up and now you! Shouldn't you be putting it to your new squeeze, Supes?"
"Toyman, for once in your life, please, shut up,' Clark said. He currently was trying to hold Kara back, even as she was kicking and swinging, trying to get to Toyman.
"Not the Man of Steel in the bedroom? Is that the problem," Toyman asked. "You know modern science has developed some great pills for that, Superman. I personally never need them. Just looking at Blondie raises the flag, if you know what I mean."
"I'm going to rip your flag off, you little pervert!"
Clark had lifted Kara off the ground and was holding her as she raged at Toyman. A crowd had gathered to watch.
"Hate to chat and run, but I've got places to be," Toyman shouted. He pressed a button and suddenly the ground began to shake. Clark and Kara turned to see giant toy pink hippos' bounce over the trees and land on top of them.
"Hungry, Hungry Hippos!" Toyman shouted with glee. "It's a classic!"
Even as Clark and Kara ripped their way through the toys, Toyman was trying to make his escape.
"Going somewhere, little man?"
Toyman turned to see Karen floating above him.
"Oh, great, Superman brought his girlfriend, Boob Girl," Toyman groused.
"That's Power Girl," she shouted.
"Not from where I'm standing, honey," Toyman said with a lecherous leer.
"Why you little hobbit, I'm going to tear you a new one!"
Now Karen was pissed. As she balled up her fists, another wave of green army men launched an attack on her. The crowd was even larger, growing as the battle continued. Clark and Kara had extricated themselves from the hippos and were flying towards Toyman and Karen. They smashed through row after row of toy soldiers, helicopters and planes. The crowd swelled in size.
"You know those are expensive," Toyman lamented. "God, I went to a fight and a date broke out! You even have a spare girl, Superman!'
"Just one shot, Clark, please," Kara begged. "Let me just punch that smug face, one time!"
"Can't you control your bitches, Superman?"
"Let her hit him, Superman," Karen growled. "Or let me!"
Toyman looked back and forth between Kara and Karen.
"What? Are you two cycling together or something?"
"That's it, the puppet dies," Kara shouted.
"Oh, come on, have a sense of humor, Blondie," Toyman chuckled. "Everyone know you super types don't kill."
"He doesn't, I never made that promise," Kara replied with venom.
"I might make an exception, as well," Karen added.
Toyman suddenly realized they were on either side of him. A chill ran down his spine. The crowd was enormous now, watching everything that transpired. Clark was in constant motion, fighting off the toys, while trying to stay between Toyman and both women.
"You know, maybe you gals and I got off on the wrong foot," Toyman backpedaled nervously. "I mean calling you Boob Girl and saying that you had a cute little …, well, you know, is considered a compliment in some circles. So really you two should be flattered."
The two women just floated above, glaring at him.
"Yeah, I didn't really think that would fly, either," Toyman conceded. "Big Blue, could you crack the whip and get these two under control. I surrender."
"Do you have a death wish," Clark asked. He was currently holding back both Kara and Karen, but they were pushing him hard towards Toyman. The police began to move in and Toyman raised his hands in surrender.
"Leave the little guy alone, you super powered aliens!"
A voice shouted from the gathered crowd. At first everyone seemed stunned, but then others picked up the message. Superman, Power Girl and Supergirl just floated above the ground, too shocked to respond.
Clark's eyes looked over the large crowd. These were the people of Metropolis, his people. He'd been protecting the city for years, yet he could see the fear and anger in their eyes. They were the same looks he received after the Darkseid incident. These people were afraid of them.
Toyman did nothing to calm the crowd. As the police lead him to the patrol car, he continued to shout.
"Yeah! Fight the Power! Down with Man! No Nukes! Save the Dolphins! Let Toyman go!"
Unfortunately, the crowd didn't pick up his chant and the police took him to jail.
Sensing things could quickly get out of hand; Superman signaled the other two that they should leave. As they flew away they could heard the crowd's shouts echoing in their ears.
The Watchtower
Clark was deeply troubled by what had happened as he finished up the report. It hurt him far more than he wanted to believe to see fear on the people's eyes. He still couldn't believe they were afraid of him.
"I tried to warn you this would happen." A voice said from the shadows. As Clark looked up, Batman stepped out of the darkness. "It's only going to get worse."
"I could see it in their eyes, Bruce, the fear," Clark quietly admitted. "We were just trying to stop an attack on the city and it was us they were afraid of."
"I'm-I'm sorry," Bruce replied. His voice was softer, knowing how much this hurt Clark. "The people aren't seeing you right now. You reminded them that you're not from this world, that you're aliens. It doesn't take that much to spread fear through a crowd, Clark. The longer you two continue the worse it will get. It's still at the beginning, stop it now."
"I told you, I can't do that," Clark seriously replied. "I won't do that."
"I'd hoped you'd reconsider now that you've seen it first hand," Bruce said. "It's not going to stay in just one small crowd in Metropolis, you know. It's already spreading. Not just on Earth but out there across the stars as well. You need to look at the bigger picture, Clark, before innocent people get hurt."
"I know what you're saying, Bruce, I do," Clark admitted. "Ever since Darkseid, I've done everything I could, worked as hard as possible to show I'm not a threat, to regain the people's trust. I've made so many sacrifices willingly to atone, but now I see it's never going to be enough. This one time, I'm not willing to make the sacrifice."
"Then you're going to force painful decisions to be made," Bruce replied. "People are going to get hurt, Clark, most likely you."
"I've made up my mind."
Bruce just nodded and turned away. He stopped at the door and turned to face Clark.
"I never answered your question at the farm," Bruce softly said. "The answer is yes. That's why I know you're making a mistake."
He left without another word.