Chapter 13

Sitting in the dining area, at one of the small identical tables that were bolted to the floor, Milton and Lisa were having lunch at Arby's. He was trying not to drip his beef and cheddar down the front of his shirt, while she nervously ate her curly fries.

"People are staring at us, Milton," Lisa said quietly, picking up another fry.

"Their just jealous, don't' worry about it," he replied, taking another bite.

"Of us," she said in surprise, blushing a little.

"We did arrive in a Cadillac, remember? It's a sweet ride anyone would envy," he said and then made a face as cheese dripped down the front of his shirt. "Damn, that's going to leave a mark!"

"It's a hearse, Milton and they must think we're ghouls," Lisa replied. "It makes me nervous when people stare at me."

"You're not going to pass out, are you," he quickly asked. "Cause I've got a bad back and I don't think I can catch you. I was never very good at sports."

"No!" she said with a frown.

"Hey, by the way, what is it with you and passing out around Lois Lane, anyway?"

"She scares me," Lisa admitted, nibbling another curly fry. "Every time I see her, I get nervous and then she always wants to touch me. I don't like being touched that much. I guess I panic a little and start thinking crazy things, like she's going to throw me to the floor or something."

"Damn it! I only have three ties, and this one was my favorite!" Milton frowned as the napkin had smeared the cheese on his shirt and now it was on his tie. "What? Throw you to the floor, like right there in the newsroom?"

"Or hit me in the back of the head,' Lisa added, "it's always in the back of the head, cause she's sneaky like that, I just know she is."

"I really don't see Lois just grabbing someone and tossing them to the floor."

"I don't know, she's from a military family, so she's army tough. For a woman, she's got big biceps," Lisa replied.

"Well, that's true, but I just don't see it."

"My counselor used to say I had an overactive imagination," Lisa offered.

"Mine said I had a warped one," Milton said, the cheese now getting on his hands and face.

"It's like when I was in the play in high school. I only had one line, but I would stand on the side and get so nervous. I'd be waiting and my mind would start wondering all these things, like what if I forget my line or what if when I walk out the light's too bright and I get disoriented and walk off the front of the stage. What if I deliver me line, 'Stone her!' so well, the audience actually does it, then I'd be responsible for someone's death." Lisa said, her voice getting more animated as she spoke.

"You worried the audience was actually going to stone someone in your high school play, Lisa? That's the little strange," Milton said with a smirk.

"Well, you're in love with a guy you've hard ever spoke too," Lisa retorted, a little hurt by his comment.

'I spoke to him today!" Milton countered.

"And before that?"

"Um, at the Christmas party," Milton offered.

"For like three minutes," Lisa pointed out. "And what did you talk about, anyway?"

"I don't remember, golf or something, but that's not the point," Milton defended himself. "It was the feelings behind it!"

"That's what you said about Cat Grant."

"Everybody's entitled to a mistake, Lisa, come on," Milton responded, dripping more cheese on his shirt. "Jeez, you should get a bib with these sandwiches!"

"Please, don't take this the wrong way, Milton, but I just don't see you and Clark at all."

"Why? What's wrong with him," Milton said defensively.

"Clark? Nothing, he's always real nice to me," Lisa blushed. "He's handsome, sweet and really, really tall."

"Sounds like you have a little crush on him yourself, Lisa," Milton smiled. "Do I have competition for his affections?"

"No! God, Milton, don't embarrass me!" Lisa whispered, her face turning beet red.

"I was just teasing."

"I know, but don't," she said, "Besides, I don't think Clark's my type. He's really, really tall."

"Yeah, that is a problem," Milton considered. "He was like a giant next to me in the elevator today."

"Maybe you should think about asking out someone you actually know," Lisa shyly suggested.

"That's a thought," he admitted, "but most people that actually know me, don't seem to like me. Oh, would you look at that? I got cheese on my socks! I'm just trying to eat a sandwich and I'm going to need a shower now!" Milton throws up his hands in frustration as the other customers turn look at him.

"Stop, Milton, people are staring again," Lisa says nervously. He sees her getting uncomfortable and quickly reigns in his mannerisms.

"Okay, okay, don't freak out on me! No one's going to throw you to the floor or anything, I promise."

"All right, if you promise." she blushes.

"You're not going to pass out, right?"

"No, I'm not."

"So how are the curly fries, by the way," he asks.

"Good," she smiled, picking up another one, "nice and salty."

"You should try them with the cheese, it's really good," he suggested.

The Watchtower

Batman and Jonn had been going over the video footage for several hours, looking for any more clues as to who was behind the destruction. Jonn had been replaying the same footage over and over, finally going through it frame by frame.

"Batman, you said earlier that Boston Brand believed there was a connection between the people on the bridge and the woman in Gotham, correct," Jonn asked.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"I think we have another connection," Jonn replied, pointing to the screen. Batman moved over and took a look. The image was hazy, but he could just make out several people with pure white eyes heading in different directions. There were only a few frames of them before the explosions started.

"Calculating the trajectory of each of them puts them roughly in the spots where the explosions happened," Jonn continued.

"So they were the direct cause of the initial destruction," Batman nodded. "I think if you follow their paths in reverse, it puts them as starting near where the young man appears later in the video."

"Perhaps he was their leader," Jonn offered.

"That would be a change in their pattern," Batman replied, 'in every other case they die committing their acts, even the leaders."

"So he might not be attached to them at all," Jonn pondered.

"Or he's their true leader and decided to take a hand in the destruction himself," Batman offered. "The level of violence in this incident is off the charts compared to the previous episodes."

"An escalation," Jonn nodded.

"It would seem so, but for what purpose, is the question," Batman replied. They both thought of this for a moment but came up with no answers.

London

Nathan had just returned from Thailand and while his bloodlust was sated for the moment, he was impatient. Zod was in his usual chair going over some figures as the younger man stormed in.

"Back so soon? I guess you've made your mark," Zod casually said.

"Yes, but I grow tired of these easy attacks in out of the way places. Your attempts at delays are becoming more apparent, General," Nathan sneered. "Sending the witch to distract me had a desperate feel to it."

"Morgaine was in Thailand," Zod asked, surprised by the information.

"As if you didn't know," Nathan harshly laughed. "She didn't succeed, but I'm sure you were informed of that, too."

"As reluctant as I am to admit it, Nathan, you give me too much credit," Zod informed him. "What le Fey was doing there has nothing to do with me."

"Perhaps," Nathan acknowledged, "but the issue remains the same, you're delaying us needlessly. To truly bring about the kind of chaos and horror we want, we should be attacking major cities, Gotham and Metropolis. Fear would spread much faster that way."

"We have targeted believers for those cities, as you know," Zod answered.

"Isolated attacks, nothing more," Nathan scoffed.

"No, random attacks, there is a difference," Zod pointed out. "By targeting specific people around the globe, we have been able to acquire the materials we need for this project. Those key people controlled land, technology and raw materials that we desired. Killing them the way we have works two fold. One it sends a message to their colleagues not to oppose us and two it appears random and isolated to the general public, which fuels their fears."

"But a full scale assault would spread more panic and fear, faster," Nathan countered. "I could take fifty believers to Gotham or Metropolis, right now and create panic and fear like they've never seen before!"

"You seem to be forgetting that those cities have several heroes that take a keen interest in anything that goes on there," Zod replied. "Heroes have a nasty way of not letting things alone once they are on the scent. They also have a troubling habit of disrupting the plans of people like you and me, Nathan. We would be wise to avoid them as long as possible."

"Is this what you've come to, Zod?" Nathan said, moving over to stand right in front of the General. "Cowering in this dungeon afraid of what some 'heroes' might do? Have you become such a shell of a man that you fear them? I've met your so-called heroes and you give them too much credit. They only succeed against the weak willed. For those of us that have conviction in what we are doing, they hold no fear."

Zod let the sting of the younger man's words roll off him. He would give the boy no satisfaction by showing a reaction. Slowly he stood so they were looking in each other's eyes.

"I sometimes forget you have personal experience with heroes, don't you Nathan? Does your hate for your parents run so deep that you would risk everything in a childish pursuit of vengeance?"

The blade was at Zod's throat before he could blink. He had touched a raw nerve in Nathan and for a moment feared he'd pushed him too far.

"I could kill you without a second thought, Zod and there would be nothing you could do to stop me," Nathan said, his voice dripping with menace. "That is the one subject you will never speak of again. Is that clear!"

Zod didn't flinch, looking him right in the eye. He could feel the magic pulsing off the blade and knew his life hung by a thread. The man he'd been all his life would not let him back down, no matter the personal danger.

"And their magical friends, are they off limits, as well," Zod calmly asked.

"Why," Nathan asked, unsure of where the General was going with this.

"Your little excursion in Africa has drawn the attention of one of them," Zod said, slowly moving away from the blade and over to the table.

"Who?"

"A Miss Zatanna Zatara seems to have spent several hours there as we speak."

A rare smile crossed Nathan's lips as he lowered his weapon.

"Zatanna, so she's all grown up now, playing at being a hero," Nathan laughed, "I wouldn't worry about her, Zod, she poses no threat to us."

"Perhaps not, but she could bring others with more magical experience into this."

"It doesn't matter if she does," Nathan nodded, "by the time they would arrive, any magical signature of mine will be long gone. Zatanna will never make the connection with me. She doesn't have the confidence or skill for that."

"And if you're mistaken?"

"Than I will have to go visit an old friend, won't I?" Nathan laughed and walked out of the room. Zod watched him go, the anger still deep within him over the boy's insult. Zod was a man that did not forget or forgive. For now he would stomach it and not respond, but soon, very soon, young Nathan would learn what countless others had before him that if was very dangerous to insult Zod.

Daily Planet

Monday rolled around and another day of reporting the news of interest was accomplished. Clark was just finishing up when Lois appeared in his doorway.

"So how was your weekend, Smallville? Another hot date," Lois said with just a little more interest than she wanted to.

"No, no date, sorry," Clark replied as he turned of his computer.

"Oh, really?" Lois said with a smile. "So the first one didn't go that well, huh? That's too bad. I'm sorry, Clark."

"No, it went okay," Clark shook his head, coming around his desk to leave. "Oh, by the way, thanks for recommending San Ramos, that place was great. I really appreciate it."

"Apparently not, if you're not going on a second date, Clark," Lois smiled.

"What? Do you think I should ask her out on another date, Lois?" Clark said, having a little fun with her. "What would you recommend? Dinner again or something different?"

"What am I, Yente the matchmaker?" Lois said a little flustered. "I can't do everything for you, Smallville! Next you'll be asking me tips on making out with her!"

"No, I've got that part covered,' Clark replied with a little smile.

"What? Oh, um, well, good-good for you," Lois stammered, shocked by this turn in the conversation. She'd only come over because her curiosity was killing her to find out how the date went, but now she was finding out things she wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"You're-You're going to have to handle what to do with her on your own, Clark. I can't hold your hand through it," Lois absently said.

"Okay, if you think I should ask her out again, I guess I will. Thanks for the advice, Lois," Clark replied and then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "You're the best, Lo."

Lois stood there, her mouth open, stunned. Her mouth didn't seem to work as she watched Clark walk to the elevator and get on. As the doors closed she finally seemed to find her voice. "I didn't say that, Clark!"

Throwing her hands in the arm, Lois grumbled to herself as she stormed off.

The Watchtower

Diana was sitting with Wally and Shayera after their shifts had all ended. They were just catching up on what had been happening when the subject of Clark having a date came up. Wally made his usual inappropriate comments about it and while they pretended to be outraged, both women started to laugh. They chatted about other things before Diana finally decided she needed to get back to the Embassy. She was getting herself a Mocha Latte for the road, just as Superman walked into the cafeteria. He nodded hello and picked up a soda from the refrigerator. He was heading back out to start his shift when Wally spoke up.

"Hey, Supes! Heard you had a hot date!"

Clark blushed a little, suddenly becoming very aware of all the eyes on him.

"So how was it, if you know what I mean," Wally continued to tease. Clark glanced over to see Diana smiling at his discomfort. Looking back at Wally, Clark simply said, "Great," and continued to exit the cafeteria. A smile came to his lips as he glanced out of the corner of his eye to see the amusement disappear from Diana's face. Her cursing under her breath and absently crushing the cup she was holding only made Clark's smile grow.

"Way to go, Big Blue," Wally happily shouted after him. The glare he received from Diana cut off any further comments. Wally suddenly found the tabletop very interesting.

Metropolis

Zatanna finally arrived back at her hotel completely exhausted and covered from head to foot in dirt and blood. As she stripped off her ruined costume, she started the water running in the tub.

"Where the hell have you been," came a loud voice. Clutching a towel to her in fright, Zatanna spun around to see Bruce Wayne standing in front of her looking angry.

" God damn it, Bruce, you're going to give me a heart attack!"

"Answer the question, Zee," he said, in no mood for games.

"Africa," she softly said, adjusting the towel to cover more of her.

"What? Why," he asked, surprised by her answer.

"Because I needed to," she admitted.

"I still don't understand."

"You don't need to, but it was something I had to do," she replied.

"You could have told somebody," Bruce said, moving over to sit down. "I've been sitting here for almost two hours waiting. You could have been injured lying in a ditch somewhere for all I knew. They have these things called phones, you know?"

"So you broke into my room, again," Zatanna asked, suddenly remembering the situation.

"Actually, I slipped one of the maids fifty bucks and she let me in. I think her name was Carmen or something," Bruce replied.

"You bribed her?! And she let you in?!" Zatanna exclaimed, her temper starting to grow.

"You should thank me for being worried about you," he responded. "I doubt this new guy you're seeing would do the same."

"Bruce!" Zatanna yelled, "Get out!"

"I can wait for you to have your bath," he smiled, "I see you already have a towel."

"ELOHSSA! TUO TEG!" Zatanna shouted, livid at him. Bruce saw the look on her face and figured it was probably a good time to make his exit.

"No reason to start with the backward magic, Zee," Bruce said as he opened the door. "You know you've really developed quite the temper. You should watch that."

"GET OUT!!!"

"I'm going," he said and closed the door behind him. Zatanna immediately went over and locked it. She yelled in frustration as she realized the lock hadn't stopped him before and it wouldn't stop him now. Mumbling to herself, Zee stormed back into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.