Chapter 16

In the morning, Clark took Zatanna out for breakfast at a small neighborhood eatery. Over cinnamon and raisin bread French toast they chatted, catching each other up on everything they hadn't had time to talk about last night. They were both starting to get really comfortable with each other as their growing relationship shift out of the awkward, yet exciting initial phase into something deeper. There was one issue they hadn't discussed yet, and Zatanna decided to finally broach it.

"Clark, I was wondering about what happens when we're up there," she said, not quite sure how to say what she was thinking.

"Up there?" He asked.

"You know, the tower," she indicated, gesturing with her fork towards the ceiling, "Up there."

"Okay, got you,' he smiled, "in what way do you mean what happens when we're up there?"

"It's just that here, in Metropolis, we can be Clark and Zatanna, but up there you're, well, you know," she said, not wanting to say anything that another customer might overhear.

"The clothes change, but I'm still the same guy, Zee," Clark offered.

"I know, but it's just…" she started and stopped. "Hold on, I'm going to cast a small spell so people can't hear what we're talking about, okay?"

"All right," Clark agreed, trying not to give away his uneasiness being around magic.

"Don't worry, it's not going to hurt anybody, they'll just think we're talking about the weather," she reassured him. With a quick few words and a gesture it was done.

"Okay, now I at least don't have to worry about giving away your secret identity," she started again. "What I was going to say is, that while I know you're the same man in both places, you're not seen the same way. I mean, come on, Clark, you're Superman, for heaven sakes."

"That's not really going to change, Zee."

"I know and I wouldn't want it to. It's just that I like what we have right now," she smiled. "I like being Clark Kent's girlfriend, but if everybody up there knows, I'm suddenly Superman's girlfriend, which is completely different."

"And that worries you?" He asked, seeing the concern on her face.

"Yeah, it does," she admitted. "Right now, let's be honest, I'm not thought of as one of the front line heroes and I kind of like it that way. I'm still new to all of this and trying to work it all out for myself. You, on the other hand, are the alpha hero, the center of everything."

"I think you might be exaggerating just a little bit there, Zee," Clark said modestly.

"Maybe you don't see it, Clark, because you're used to it," she replied, "all the others see it. We all know there's a hierarchy with you, Bruce and Diana at the top. You three are the big names that make it work. The next tier is the other original members, Jonn, Wally, Shayera and John, with maybe Ollie and Arthur."

"I wouldn't let Arthur know he's in the second tier of anything, if I was you or remind Bruce he's thought of as a leader," Clark joked, trying to make light of what she was saying.

"Joke if you want, but you know I'm telling you the truth," she countered. "How about I use a sports analogy, I know guys love those. You're the star pitcher and the others are the rest of the starters. Most of the other members, me included, we're like the bullpen. If a special situation comes up where we have some expertise, we get called into the main game, otherwise we help out where we can."

"I hope you don't really see it that way, Zee," Clark seriously said. "Each member is a hero and a valuable member of the team."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she said dismissing his argument, "come on, Clark, if this is the school yard and we're picking up teams, no one's picking The Shining Knight or me before they pick you."

"I'd pick you," Clark smiled.

"As my boyfriend, you better," she teased back. "What I'm trying to say is once everybody knows, I'm afraid they'll look at me different, treat me different. Where before no one would question why I was picked for a mission, they would if they knew I was dating Superman. I want to earn a place for myself, if I'm going to keep doing this, not have everyone assume it's because I'm dating you."

"You don't want them to think you slept your way to the top, in other words," Clark said.

"Yeah, I mean people are already offering me condoms left and right, who knows what they'd think when they find out we're dating," Zatanna admitted. Clark laughed at this, and she gave him a look.

"It's not funny, Clark. It might be easy for you, but I'm not sure I'm ready for everyone to think of me as Superman's girlfriend."

"I get it, I do, Zee," Clark said with a smile. "I'm not as completely clueless as everyone seems to think I am, either. I have to admit, I like that you want to be my girlfriend and by me, I mean Clark Kent. As you said, I'm Superman. I'd have to be blind, deaf and dumb, not to hear some of the things people say about me. I know there are probably lots of women that would love to date me because I'm Superman. I also know they only see the hero, the costume, not me, never me. Its part of the reason I haven't really dated that much, cause I never knew who they really wanted to be with. I am the same guy both places, but I know people see me different when I'm in the cape. I just hope you don't."

"Well, I have to admit, I was a little in awe the first time I met you," Zee said with a little blush. "You do make quite the impression in that cape. I guess I saw the fantasy too."

"Fantasy? Would you care to share any of those," Clark teased.

"Clark, I'm trying to be serious here!" she blushed, but then added, "Maybe later we can discuss them. Don't distract me like that. I'm just trying to tell you, that when I came to Metropolis and met you as Clark Kent, that's the guy, I found myself interested in. The sweet, charming, funny, handsome, newspaper reporter. The guy I can sit in a café and talk and laugh with, or dance with. I'm trying to say I like you, Clark. I'm interested in you and the fact that you're also Superman, well, that's a bonus I guess."

"Thank you," he quietly said, and reach over and kissed her hand. "That means more to me than you realize, Zee. I must admit, I don't think of what we're doing as being connected to the Watchtower, either. I like that it's just us right now, private and special. I have no interested in Wally or Shayera finding out believe me. I can already here the gossip and questions. I'm not looking forward to having a man to man talk with Bruce about my intentions, either."

"Bruce," she said with irritation, "he's like the big brother from hell. He's both rich and scary."

"I think I can handle it," Clark chuckled. "I wouldn't be too hard on him, it's just his way of showing he cares, in a scary, stalker kind of way."

"That's easy for you to say, he's not bribing people so he can check up on you or scaring off your boyfriends," Zee countered sourly.

"That's the guy that made his own soap, right?" Clark asked, 'I have to admit he does sound like kind of a loser."

"We all make mistakes, Clark!" she countered, "you should talk, aren't you the one that dated a mermaid?"

"I didn't know she was a mermaid at the time," Clark protested.

"That's my point!" Zee said emphatically, "I didn't know everything about the salesman, either. I would have figured it out eventually, without the Batman scaring the life out of him!"

"Okay, I get it, I believe you,' Clark said, "I'm not trying to start a fight here. I do think I should point out that sooner or later people are going to find out about us. I know Bruce will for sure."

"I know,' she admitted, "but do we have to tell them right now?"

"No, but I don't want to have to lie about it either," Clark replied. "I'm not ashamed of being with you, quite the opposite, in fact."

Zatanna blushed and smiled at this. She reached over and took his hand.

"I'm pretty happy with you, too."

"I'm glad to hear that," Clark smiled, giving her hand a light squeeze. "I guess we don't have to volunteer any information, that wouldn't be lying. I do think we should probably recognize that eventually we're going to have to deal with this."

"But not today," she quickly added.

"No, not today," he smiled.

"I guess I can get rid of the cone of silence now," she joked.

"Wow, I guess you were right, you didn't kill anyone. Maybe magic isn't so bad," he jokingly countered.

"I thought we already established that the last few nights we've been together?"

"Some lessons need to be constantly reinforced, I guess," he said, giving her a big smile.

"If I have to, I guess I can make that sacrifice for better understanding," she teased, leaning across the table to kiss him.

"You're such a giver, I've always liked that about you," he said, kissing her back.

Standing at the counter watching the two kiss was Lisa, her mouth wide open in shock. She usually came to this out of the way place once or twice a week to pick up something for breakfast. She liked it because the lady that took her order was smaller than she was and had a quiet voice. Also, because it was never crowded, hardly anyone touched her. She had seen Clark a few times in here, even venturing a hello once or twice. He was always nice to her, even though he was a giant. He never got too close or made her nervous like some other people she could name at work. Seeing him here with that woman, the lady magician from the news completely surprised her. Although, standing there looking at them, it started to make sense when they stood up. She was a giant too, Lisa thought and she looked like a model.

"Hi, Lisa," Clark said, surprising her.

"H-H-Hi, um, Clark," Lisa managed to say, returning his smile as she watch him and the woman exit the café. This is not good; Lisa thought to herself, Milton would be crushed. He'll probably cry, Lisa thought to herself, or maybe he'll be so overcome he'll throw himself to the floor, or run out into traffic! Someone will have to save him, Lisa excitedly thought to herself, someone that really cares for him.

The Watchtower

Bruce had related everything that Hugo Strange had told him to Diana and Jonn. The three of them were adding this new data to what they already had. As hard as they tried, they couldn't make out any discernable pattern to the incidents, even with this new knowledge.

"It doesn't make sense," Jonn offered. "If we start from the basic assumption that these are all somehow related to the goal of raising the Old Ones, as Hugo says, how do these acts of violence fit into it?"

"Another question is why would Morgaine le Fey have anything to do with this?" Diana ventured. "While she's evil, this doesn't seem like her, at all. She's never been interested in the end of the world."

"It does fit in the sense that magic seems to be involved in all these incidents. Magic would certainly explain how the old woman managed to get out of her wheelchair and dash like a sprinter," Bruce suggested.

"The white eyes that have been reported in each case, that has the feel of magical possession," Jonn added.

"What I find troubling about this, is the way it's being carried out," Diana said, "it's almost as if there are two hands at the switch, as it were. In many of these, we have a specific target, as if it were part of a larger plan. Then there's the Africa and Thailand attacks which are completely different. No one person or goal seems to be targeted, just mass killing and destruction for no purpose other than itself."

"You're suggesting there's more than one group at work here," Bruce asked.

"Maybe not more than one group, but more than one commander," she replied.

"That would fit with the known facts," Jonn commented. "We have one leader, or commander that is systematically working towards something larger, while another is much more impulsive and chaotic, almost a wild card in everything."

"But that still doesn't explain the reason or goal behind this, "Diana said with a shake of her head.

"Panic, fear," Bruce said.

"What?" the other two said at the same time.

"According to Hugo, le Fey was interested in not only the Old Ones, but in the theories of Jung, specifically, the collective unconscious. The Old Ones have to be awakened by an outside force. I've only done preliminary reading on this, but the Old Ones are connected with black magic. The texts say their return with create a holocaust on this earth and the nonbelievers will suffer in fear and panic. What if, whoever is behind this, is trying to wake the old ones by using a form of collective unconscious, a sort of shared dream state? By linking minds, they would be able to reach the Old Ones. They could transmit the fear and panic they create much more forcefully than any individual would."

"That might explain le Fey's role as well,' Jonn added, "they would need a powerful adapt in the magical arts to focus that fear and panic to the shared dreamers."

"So they could possibly bring about this nightmare of theirs," Diana gasped.

"Yes," Bruce grimly nodded.

"The attacks have grown in frequency, which suggests their plans are accelerating," Jonn warned.

"I think we need some expertise on this one," Diana suggested.

"I agree, we should contact all the magical based members as soon as possible," Bruce said.

"Zatanna is the easiest to reach, I could contact her," Jonn offered, moving over to the control panel.

"No," Bruce shook his head, "She's not experienced enough for this. We can't risk she'll react like she did in Africa."

"She did return, Bruce," Diana pointed out.

'I know that, Diana, but the stakes may be too high on this one. We can't risk it. Call Dr. Fate, Jonn, perhaps he will have more information for us."

"You can't protect her forever, Bruce," Diana said to him.

"I also don't have to needlessly throw her into danger, either."

Metropolis

Zatanna had walked Clark to work and then headed back to the hotel. As she headed towards her room, the elevator stopped and Carmen got on with her cart. She gave Zatanna a big smile and a wink.

"Didn't spend the night in your room I noticed," Carmen said. Zee blushed and didn't know what to say.

"So which one was it last night, the tall one or the rich one?"

"I'm-I'm not dating both of them!" Zatanna gasped in shock and embarrassment.

"Who said anything about dating," Carmen chuckled.

"It's not like that! By the way, thanks a lot for letting him in my room," Zee said, her face flushed, her voice irritated.

"Don't mention it," Carmen waved her off. "A handsome guy like that, I figured you'd want to see him. He's a charmer."

"Oh, so the fact that he bribed you had nothing to do with it," Zee sarcastically said.

"Hey, fifty bucks is fifty bucks," Carmen admitted. "If you're worried your other boyfriend will find out, you can trust me, I won't say a word."

"No, no, not other boyfriend, only boyfriend!" Zatanna quickly said. "I'm not seeing, dating or anything else with the man you let into my room!"

"Why not?"

"What do you mean, why not," Zee asked, not believing this. "I'm already seeing someone! That's why not!"

"That doesn't mean you can't have a little fun on the side," Carmen suggested.

"Yes! Yes it does!" Zatanna exclaimed in shock, "I would never, ever! Besides, the guy you let into my room and I aren't like that."

"Why? Is he gay? The cute ones are always gay," Carmen lamented.

"NO! He's not gay" Zatanna said defensively. "It's just that he thinks of me as his sister and I can't believe I'm telling you all this!"

'Okay, it's cool," Carmen nodded, as the doors opened and she started out. "Just in case, though, I left some extra in your nightstand. He seems like a Magnum man too."

Carmen winked and the doors closed, before Zee could say anything. She could only scream in frustration as the elevator continued up to her floor.

Daily Planet

Lisa nervously walked into the obituary office to find Milton busily writing down something.

"Hey-Hey, Milton, what you doing," she offered.

"Writing my obit," he said, chewing on his pencil, deep in thought.

"What? Why," Lisa immediately asked, again, a little creeped out by this.

"Well, it's good practice. I mean, its kind of what I do around here. I figured the more I do it the better I'd get. I write a new one for myself every week."

"Every week?"

"Yeah, I mix it up," he admitted, looking up from his paper, "I figure by the time I really die I'll have the perfect one, ready. I'm trying out different options."

"So how do you die this week," she asked.

"Motorcycle daredevil stunt gone wrong," he instantly said. "I almost make that last car, but not quite."

"Weird, how did you die last week?"

"Eaten by a wild bear." He said off hand. "Haven't you ever considered it? Maybe even once?"

"Well, maybe once," she admitted, shyly.

"So how did it happen," he asked.

"Fire!" she said immediately, 'Fire and lots of Cray paper! Oh, and balloons!"

"Okay, then, quite the vivid imagination you have there, Lisa," Milton said with a smile.

"It could happen," she defended herself, "A lot easier than being eaten by a wild bear, if you ask me."

"You'd be surprised," Milton countered, "people are attacked by bears all the time. The woods are lousy with them."

"If you say so," Lisa said and then continued nervously. "Um, ah, Milton, I think you're going to, um, ah, have to change your obit, though."

"Why?"

"Um, I was getting a coffee and a Danish this morning and I happen to see, well, um, ah, Clark," she said.

"Oh, really?" Milton said brightly.

"Yeah, but I'm sorry to be the one that has to tell you, but he was with someone," Lisa said, cringing a little.

"What? Who?"

"That lady magician, Miss Zatara."

"I'm sure it was just for a story or something," Milton suggested.

"I don't think so, Milton, they were kissing and holding hands," Lisa said, taking a step back in case he threw himself to the floor, weeping. At first he didn't react at all, just sat there looking stunned. Slowly Milton began to shake his head.

"I can't believe he'd toy with my emotions like that! I thought he was a nice guy!"

"I'm sorry, Milton," Lisa offered.

"Well, he's out of the obit, I can tell you that," Milton said, scratching a line out of the one he was working on.

"If-If it's any consolation, Milton, I don't think it would have worked. I mean their both like giants."

"Yeah, their kind tends to stick together. They'll probably get married and have giant kids, too," Milton said with growing disgust. "Can I help it if I come from tiny, compact people? It's just another obstacle holding me down! All I really want is what you and Jimmy have!"

"Wh-What," Lisa gasped, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, you and Jimmy are dating, aren't you?"

"No! Why-why did you think that," Lisa said in embarrassment. "You didn't tell anyone else that did you? You did, didn't you? Oh, no, probably everyone in the building knows that by now! I'll be the laughingstock of the building! Everyone's probably on their way down here right now, with a sign to hang around my neck saying I'm a laughingstock! They'll pick me up because I'm so small and ride me around on their shoulders for everyone to see!"

"LISA! Lisa! I didn't tell anyone! I swear! Calm down, I didn't tell anyone," Milton quickly shouted.

"You-You swear," she said, trying to get her breathing under control.

"I swear, no one, promise," he added.

"Thank God! I'd have had to quit my job and everything," she said softly, the relief very apparent in her voice. "Why did you think I was seeing Jimmy, anyway?"

"Well, um, ah, a cute girl like you, I see him smiling at you, so I just figured…" Milton sheepishly said, trailing off in embarrassment.

"You-You think I'm-I'm cute," she blushed.

"Well, yeah, of course," Milton admitted, blushing himself.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome."