Chapter 10

The golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the window of Clark's bedroom. His eyes flickered open, feeling his body being recharged. He smiled as he remembered the night before. Clark hadn't wanted to admit it, but he had been rather nervous about the whole thing. It had been more than awhile since he'd been with, well, anyone. Clark was a little afraid he might be just a little too eager. The word "premature" had crossed his mind more than once. Thankfully, all that practice at staying in control finally paid off. It had been a memorable night and he knew he was going to have a smile on his face for quite some time. The bed shifting and the feel of satiny soft skin against his brought Clark out of his happy reflections. He gazed over Zatanna, who was curled up against him. His smile only grew bigger as he let his eyes drink her in. Clark had met many beautiful women in his life and Zatanna certainly was one of them, but there was an added quality about her. She might be the sexiest woman he knew. It probably started with the fishnet stockings, for she pulled those off better than most women, but it seemed to extent to everything about her. Last night it seemed her every caress and kiss intoxicated him. Her voice had been but a whisper, yet there was a sultry, breathless quality to it that was so enticing. The feel of her amazing body responding to his was like nothing he'd experienced before. In fact, the whole night was a completely new experience for Clark. His powers were still there, yet dialed down so he didn't have to fear letting himself fully enjoy every moment. Last night he'd been just a man making love to a gorgeous, fascinating woman and it was a breathtaking experience.

"Mmm, good morning," Zee whispered, slowly opening her eyes and smiling up at Clark.

"Good morning to you, too," he smiled in return and then gently leaned down and kissed her. "Thank you for an amazing night, Zee."

"Well, you played a big part in it too," she teased, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him again. She moved onto his body, the two of them feeling a renewed passion for the either other.

"Yellow sun, remember," he whispered, gesturing towards the window.

"Oh, I can fix that," she playfully said, snapping her fingers and changing the yellow rays to red ones in the room.

"So what happened to all the raising your hands over your head and saying some elaborate incantation?" He asked, surprised at how easily she made the transformation.

"Well, I am a performer, Clark. Half the illusion is selling the presentation," she admitted with a smile. "Besides, I saw the way you were looking at my breasts, so I thought I'd give you some encouragement. I'm not in the same league up top as Wonder Woman or Power Girl, but it seemed to work last night."

Clark laughed as he pulled her tighter against him and kissed her. "You take a backseat to no one in that department, Zee. Your "presentation" is amazing in their own right."

"Is that all you liked," she teased. He quickly rolled her over, kissing her hungrily and passionately.

"It's one of, well, two of many things I like," he whispered heatedly, "why don't I show you everything I like?"

"Only if I get to return the favor," she smiled, seeking out his lips, her hands roaming freely over his naked skin.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied between kisses. No more words were needed, as each of their desires overtook them. The early morning promised to be a very special one for both of them.

London

Morgaine le Fey stood looking at Zod. If her golden mask could have shown it, it would have given away the surprised look on her face.

"Zod? The Kryptonian?" she said in shock.

"You seemed surprised, Morgaine," he said with a cold smile. He moved over to the central table before turning back to look at her.

"Surprised, yes," she admitted, "why would you be involved in something like this? Surely the powers you already have are more than sufficient?"

"They were, but thanks to Kal-El, that has changed. The myopic fool managed to strip me of them," Zod said in disgust. "His fondness for this backward world blinds him to what could be achieved if one has the will."

"So you are like all the rest of the mortals now," she said, a hint of amusement creeping into her voice.

"In this shell or any other, I am always Zod, Morgaine," he coldly replied.

"Yes, of course you are," she said patronizingly, "so all this is your way of trying to regain some past glory, eh?"

"Yes."

"It must be horrible to be trapped in this weak form, isn't it? You, a man that ruled worlds, now subject to the same vagaries of ordinary humans? Their pains, their hungers, their illnesses?" She said, moving towards him more confidently. Morgaine strides right up to him, mere inches away from the older man. "Their illnesses, especially, I think."

"Yes, their illnesses," he calmly replies, not flinching under her gaze. "But then you, of all people, should understand that. Wasn't your beauty a birthright? How horrible it must have been to have it taken away from you and for what? Because you dared to question the way things were? Has it gnaw at you down through the ages the memory of your beauty?"

The two stood there taking the measure of the other. Zod impressed Morgaine, as most mortals would have crumbled under her stare. He had not flinched, even turning her cruel words back on her. Zod looked on Morgaine and understood she was a kindred spirit. They came from different worlds, but both had challenged the accepted order. They were special people that the rules didn't apply to.

"So tell me of these crystals," she finally said, taking a step back. He smiled and gave her a slight nod before beginning.

"They are a legacy of my home world, dead just like the planet. We were a far more advanced race than humans and these crystals are one of our crowning achievements. Most were lost when our planet was destroyed, but I managed to save some of them. Since I've been in this shell, I've been looking for a way to recharge them. I've found it in this project and they are being infused as we speak. Once that's finished, I will be able to return to the man I was."

Morgaine pondered his words. Wasn't what he spoke of the same thing she'd been looking for all these years? If his crystals could transform him back to his original Kryptonian self, could they also transform her back to her original self as well?

"I know what you're thinking, Morgaine, and the answer is yes," Zod said to her.

"Yes?" she said, feinting ignorance.

"They can transform you as well. You will finally be able to discard the mask you've been sentenced to for all these years," he informed her.

"And you are telling me this, why?" she asked, "out of the generousness of your heart?"

"Would you believe me if I said yes," he asked.

"No."

"Good, only a fool gives something away without asking for something in return."

"And what is your price?"

"Your loyalty, Morgaine," Zod seriously said to her. "Young Nathan is a valuable ally, but he's unpredictable and that makes him dangerous."

"He's but a boy," she said dismissively.

"Don't let his appearance deceive you, Morgaine, he's powerful in the dark arts," Zod said with a shake of his heard.

"Still, I have to wonder why you would betray him," she asked suspiciously.

"It is not a betrayal, Morgaine, only a delay," Zod offered. "My young friend is eager to unleash the Old Ones. He cares nothing for anything else."

"And the delay would be to charge the crystals, I take it?"

"Yes."

"And after you have what you want, what then for this world and Nathan's plans," she asked.

"Once I have what I want, I care little what happens to this world," Zod coldly informed her. "I've been confined on this pitiful rock for too long. The chaos Nathan brings will mask my exit."

"So you would stand by and watch him burn this world to the ground? You wouldn't lift a finger to stop him?"

"That's what heroes are for, aren't they," Zod asked, moving back to sit down. The sheer malice in his words sent a shiver through Morgaine. She had lived a thousand years, yet nothing in her experience rivaled the cold evil of Zod's plan. While she had dreamed of transforming this world many times, the thought of destroying it had never entered her mind. In the end, this was her world, too. Yet, Zod offered Morgaine her deepest desire, but at a price. She wanted it desperately, but could she stand by and do nothing as the world burned to the ground around her? Was the regaining of her beauty worth such a heavy price? Yes, the selfish part of her whispered in her ear. What loyalty did she truly owe this world that had stopped her at every turn? Yes, she wanted what Zod was offering. Once she had it, things might be different. Looking at the older man, she realized they were more alike that she had first thought. Both of them put their own desires above everything else.

"So tell me how you wish me to delay our young friend," she finally said. Zod gave her a nod and they both knew they bargain was sealed.

What neither of them knew was that Nathan was cloaked in the shadows listening to all of it. On returning from Africa, he'd been informed as to Morgaine's arrival. His natural distrust of her came out and he knew he wanted to see what duplicity she was trying to achieve. Using his growing powers, he was able to mask himself from her awareness. As he heard the General's words, Nathan felt a growing anger within him. He had trusted the older man, only to find out he was being used like a pawn in the General's game. The old man cared nothing about the cult's goals of releasing the Old Ones and transforming this sick world. The betrayal stung Nathan to the core. As he listened to Morgaine mock him, he could taste the bile rising in his throat. They were like all the rest, both of them. They thought they could use Nathan and the cult for their pitiful personal dreams. Well, now he knew the truth, Nathan thought to himself, a cold smile coming to his lips. He would let them play their game for now. Let them think they have me fooled, he thought, let them think of me as just a pawn. Soon enough they will pay for their deceit by my hand.

Metropolis

As Zatanna walked towards her hotel, she felt wondrous. Last night and this morning had been better than she could have hoped for. Making love to Clark had been so good and felt so right. She secretly thought to herself that she might be in love with him. She knew it was too soon for those thoughts, but when she'd been in his arms she found herself never wanting to let go. He was just so devastatingly handsome to her. The longer she was with Clark, the more she relished knowing more about him. He was so different than any other man she'd known. He seemed comfortable in his skin, not needing to show off or prove to everyone how great he was. His innate humility and honesty were his most attractive qualities to her. As strange as it probably seemed, it wasn't the gifts of Superman that impressed her, but the simple, ordinary gifts that made him Clark Kent she found so alluring. Clark Kent was the man she thought she might be falling head over heels for, not Superman. These and other thoughts about Clark were rolling around in her mind as she entered the hotel and headed up to her room. She managed to smile and say hello to the staff, as she'd come to both know and like them in her time here. She had a smile on her face as she unlocked her room and went inside. She was exhausted, but in a very, very good way. Zatanna blushed a little as she remembered the night before. The first time they had made love it had been right there in his couch. They had both been a little overwhelmed by their desire and clothes had gone flying as they wantonly went at each other. There was a desperate urgency about the first time, as if they couldn't get close enough to each other to quench the flames burning through them. Every inch of their bodies felt is if it had been charged with some erotic electricity that only seemed to be amplified by the other's touch. Slipping off her jacket, Zee smiled as she headed towards the bathroom to start the water for a shower. She chuckled to herself as she remembered they hadn't even made it to the bedroom for the second time. A shudder of pleasure went through her as she remembered hastily swiping everything off the kitchen counter and pulling Clark to her. The CD had ended by then and the only sounds that filled the apartment were the erotic moans and gasps of the two of them. She barely remembered how they finally got to the bedroom, but each time there in was crystal clear in her mind. Some of the overwhelming urgency was gone and they were able to take their time to enjoy fully each and every amazing sensation. She was just heading back out to her main room to change out of her clothes when a voice stopped her.

"Where were you?"

"Damn it, Bruce! You scared the hell out of me!" she screamed, startled out of her inner thoughts.

"I called, but there was no answer," he said, stepping out of the shadows. She turned to see the Batman standing there looking at her. Anger rose up in her.

"So you decided to just break in?" She asked, furious at him for this invasion.

"I knocked, but you didn't answer," he replied.

"What if I'd been in the bath? Did you think of that," She exclaimed, "What would you have done then?"

"Offered a towel," he playfully said.

"Don't even try to be cute," she fired back.

"You still haven't told me where you were all night."

"That's none of your business, Bruce! What do you want?" She said, deflecting his question.

"There's been a incident in Africa that we need to check out," he informed her. "Jonn believes there's magic involved."

"Can I at least get a quick shower and changed," she asked.

"Make it quick," he responded.

"Yes, sir,' she said snidely and started for the bathroom.

"So why won't you tell me where you were all night, Zee," he asked, not moving from the room. Zatanna stopped and turned to look at him, the anger plain in her eyes.

"I'm going to take a shower and change my clothes, Bruce. Go wait on the rooftop or something," she said, holding her temper as best she could.

"I can wait here until you're finished," he informed her, moving over to have a seat.

"No, you can't! Now get out!" she fired back.

'Why all the secrecy, Zatanna? What are you hiding," he asked with interest, not really paying attention to what she was saying.

"Get out!" she screamed." Get out!"

Without another word, Bruce slipped back out the window as disappeared. Zatanna growled in frustration and then turned and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

The Watchtower

Most of the League acknowledged Batman as the smartest and best detective of the group, but Wonder Woman wasn't far behind. The amazing gifts the Gods had given her tended to obscure this fact to most people. When there was a mystery or puzzle that caught her attention, her warrior instincts kicked in and she tenaciously got to the bottom of the situation. The current mystery that had caught her attention had to do with what was up with Superman. They were friends, best friends, and she had always prided herself on being able to read him like a book. The fact that something seemed different about him today had caught her notice. At first she couldn't quite place what was different, but finally it hit her that he seemed unusually happy, almost beaming as he made his way around the station. He always tried to be in a good mood, she thought, but this was far beyond that. He'd actually used the word great, when she asked him how he was doing. Kal never said he was great, Diana thought to herself. He always said good or fine and on an especially hard day would use okay, but never, ever great. Something must have happened for him to be acting like this, she thought and Diana wanted to know what it was. Trouble had flared up in several locations around the globe, so she had to wait until after their missions to confront him. When she arrived back at the station she made a point to search him out. Diana finally found him sitting alone in the cafeteria, finishing a report and having a cup of coffee. Getting herself a cup, Diana made her way to his table.

"Mind some company," she asked with a smile.

"Not at all," he smiled, gesturing for her to take a seat. Diana glanced around the cafeteria as she slid into the chair opposite him. They were the only two there, so it was a perfect time to find out what was up with him.

"So how did your mission go," she offered, wanting to start a conversation.

'Great," he immediately replied, not looking up as he put the finishing touches on his report.

"Great," she repeated. There was that word again, she thought. Her curiosity went into overdrive now.

"So what's new with you, Kal? We haven't had a chance to talk for awhile," she smiled, hoping he would open up to her and tell her what made everything so great all of a sudden.

"Oh, just keeping busy, you know, the usual," he offered with a big grin.

"The usual, Kal? Are you sure," she pointedly asked.

"Ah, I think so, yeah, why," he said, not sure where she was going with this.

"Oh, it's just that the usual isn't usually great," she replied, putting emphasis on the word great.

"I'm not following you, Diana," Clark said, giving her a confused look.

"Something's up with you, Kal," Diana plainly said to him. "Ever since you got here today, everything's been great. You're great! The mission went great! I want to know what's going on."

"You have something against the word great, Diana," he innocently asked, not sure what was going on.

"Don't be coy, Kal, you never say great, so that means something's up," Diana replied. "I thought we were friends, best friends? Why haven't you told me what's going on?"

"Let me see if I have this right," Clark began, "Because I used the word great a few times, you immediately think something's going on?"

"If you don't want to tell me, Kal, just say so," Diana answered, her voice sounding a little hurt.

"Diana, there's nothing to tell! I'm just in a really good mood!"

"Don't you mean in a great mood," she sarcastically replied.

"I can't believe we're having this conversation,' Clark said in exasperation. "It's been a good week, yes, a great week!"

"Why was it a great week, Kal," she fired back immediately.

"I-I had a date, okay," he offered, wondering how he keeps getting in these situations.

"What?!" Diana exclaimed, "a date? Why didn't you tell me? Who was it? Lois? Was it Lois? Did you finally tell her who you are? I want all the details."

'Um, ah, no, it wasn't Lois,' Clark stammered, a little surprised by her interest. "It-It was someone else."

"Oh," Diana said, surprised by his answer. "So who is she?"

"Just someone I met in Metropolis," Clark replied, not wanting to get into the fact that it was Zatanna just yet.

"What's her name? Is it someone you work with," Diana immediately asked.

"I'd rather not say," Clark answered, feeling uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation.

"Why not," Diana asked, suddenly very interested in who this other woman was.

"It's really new and I just don't want to jinx it, okay," he offered.

"Oh," she said, a little disappointed by his answer. "Well, if that's the way you want it, I will respect your wishes."

Diana got from the table, feeling strangely unhappy with his reluctance to tell her. The thought that Kal was seeing someone else also bothered her more than she wanted to admit. He was her friend, though, so she would just have to trust him to tell her eventually.

"I'll respect your wishes, Kal, but if you want to talk I'll listen," she said to him.

"Thank you, Diana, I appreciate it."

They exchanged smiles and she started for the door. Just as she was about to leave, a mischievous thought crossed Diana's mind.

"Oh, by the way, Kal, you know I'm going to find out sooner or later," she teased. "Just something to think about."

"Great," Clark replied. The smile vanished from Diana's lips as she turned and stormed out of the cafeteria. Clark could hear her grumble in frustration and had to smile.

Daily Planet

Lois Lane had two things on her mind, as she walked towards her desk. She'd just been down to archives and had dug up some interesting material that might just relate to the Albino. For once Doris down there had been a big help. There wasn't a story there yet, but she was going to keep digging. As she made her way across the newsroom, Lois spied Lisa talking to one of the junior reporters. The memory of her passing out in Lois' arms was still bugging her. The young girl seemed terrified of her. Usually Lois wouldn't have given it a second thought, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out why the girl was so frightened of her. Sure, she'd made a joke about the Mary Worth comic strip, but it was just a joke. Lois had racked her brain trying to think of anything she might have done to the girl to make her react like that, but came up with nothing. Maybe it was just that the girl was shy, Lois thought to herself. Lois knew she could come off a little strong sometimes, but the fact the girl was terrified of her bothered her. Lisa seemed like a nice person, Lois thought, and decided to change the girl's opinion of her. Putting on her best smile, Lois slowly mad her way over to where Lisa was standing. Lois didn't want to make any suddenly moves, afraid the skittish girl might freak out.

"Hi, Lisa," Lois said in her warmest, friendliest voice.

"H-H-Hi, Miss Lane," Lisa managed to get out, looking like she was going to bolt at any minute.

"Hey, we're all friends, call me Lois," she offered, taking a step towards Lisa and stretching out her arm to give her a hug. Even as she was doing it, Lois could see the panic in the young girl's eyes. Before Lois could say anything to calm the girl down, Lisa practically screamed, 'don't hurt me! It wasn't my idea, I swear!"

In the next moment the young girl had passed out again. Lois had to act quickly to catch her before she hit the floor.

"A little help," Lois called out in frustration, awkwardly holding Lisa's unconscious limp, body.

"Jeez, Lois, why don't you take it easy on the kid," Cat Grant said in a disapproving tone as she walked by. Lois looked at her in shock and then noticed several other people looking at her in disappointment.

"I didn't even do anything!" Lois exclaimed in frustration.