Chapter 21

Daily Planet

Clark was just finishing up a story on a possible garbage strike when his phone rang.

"Hello, Clark Kent," he said, when he picked it up.

"Clark, Bruce," the curt voice on the other end replied.

"Hello, Bruce, um, ah, why are you calling me here?"

"I thought perhaps you'd like to explain why Lois Lane was just in my office accusing me of being someone called the Albino?"

"Oh, no, she didn't," Clark groaned.

"Oh yes, Clark," Bruce replied, "I'm missing a handful of hair to prove it."

"A handful of hair, I don't understand?"

"Apparently, this Albino is bald."

"She thought you had a wig on," Clark groaned again.

"Exactly," Bruce said, "care to explain?"

"I'm sorry, Bruce, really sorry, I didn't know it had gotten this far out of hand," Clark offered. "It was just a small joke, really."

"So the photos, messages and files were all part of this small joke," Bruce responded. "The one that got her all the way to Gotham to accuse me of leading a double life?"

"She didn't. Please tell me she didn't?"

"Afraid she did. You owe me a new silk shirt, by the way, I sweat through the one I had on when she was accusing me," Bruce said acerbically. "So if I have this right, your idea of a small joke is sending a reporter to scare the shit out of me? Is that about it, Clark?"

"Bruce, I apologize, I'm sorry, I don't know anything about photos or messages. I don't even know how she got the idea that you were involved."

"According to her, you had help with your little joke, as you call it. Someone else came up with the photos and messages."

"Jimmy," Clark groaned for a third time, running his hand through his hair. "I told Jimmy about the joke I pulled on Lois. He must have run with it."

"A very imaginative fellow, Clark, you should be proud," Bruce sarcastically said.

"Again, I apologize, Bruce and I'll fix it, I promise," Clark pledged. "It was just a one time thing, a joke to pay Lois back for screwing me over on several assignments. I never would have involved you, I swear."

"Speaking of screwing, Clark, she mentioned something else I want to have a conversation with you about," Bruce seriously said.

"What else did she do?" Clark said, dreading what was coming.

"No, not over the phone, I'd like to talk about this in person," Bruce said. "Are you going to be on the Watchtower later?"

"Yes, I have a shift," Clark confirmed.

"Good, I'll see you there," Bruce replied. "Oh, and Clark, this whole Albino business, fix it."

The phone went dead and Clark groaned for the fourth time as he hung up. The image of Lois barging into Bruce's office and accusing him came to Clark. A sad chuckle escaped his lips as he pictured Lois grabbing Bruce's carefully manicured hair and trying to rip it off. It would have almost been worth it to see that, Clark mused. The sudden realization that Lois now knew it was a joke hit Clark. Oh, she's going to be pissed he cringed. He could just imagine what she was going to be like when she got back. I better have all the details of this before she gets here, Clark thought to himself. Scanning the building, he found Jimmy down in the photo lab. Quickly finishing up his story, Clark headed for the lab. Absently, he wondered what else Bruce wanted to talk to him about, but quickly pushed that thought away as he had a crisis to manage.

New York

Lex sat in makeup getting ready for his first interview on national cable TV. Grace and her surrogates were already laying the groundwork, covering the magazines and local stations, but Lex's appearance was to be the centerpiece of the campaign. As he looked over the notes she had prepared for his appearance, he was not happy. There was the main thrust against the heroes but there was also a disturbing amount on him. Shooing the makeup artist away, Lex called for Grace.

"Yes, Lex," she said with a smile.

"What the hell is all this," he said, waving the notes in front of her.

"It's the first salvo in our broad market campaign, I thought you knew that," she said.

"Against the heroes, yes, but what's all this stuff about me and my past doing in here?"

"Lex, you knew questions about your motives would come up," Grace patiently explained, sitting down across from him. "By addressing them straight forward right off the bat, we negate them. The public loves nothing better than a repentant man. By admitting to your past, you let the audience forgive you and then they will hear your message more clearly."

"I don't like it," Lex sneered.

"Think of it this way, Lex, one of the side benefits of this campaign will be to rejuvenate your reputation. By humbly admitting the err of your past ways, you are transformed from the villain to the hero. You become the voice of the everyman."

"Humbly? You've got to be kidding," Lex laughed, "that's one word no one has ever used to describe me."

"That's the beauty of it, Lex, if you can pull it off tonight, you put yourself on the road to redemption. The sinner turned saint, as it were. The public eats that sort of thing up, Lex."

"Yes, that's true, but I don't know," Lex hesitantly said, "to admit to everything could be even more damaging to me. Some of these things they've never been able to pin on me before. What's my vulnerability on it, that's something I should run by my lawyers."

"Lex, I wouldn't ask you to do this, if I didn't know you could," Grace earnestly said. "You're much smarter than to put yourself in jeopardy. You're certainly smarter than these TV reporters."

"Well, that's true," Lex conceded.

"This is your chance, Lex," Grace implored, "isn't it about time you were the hero in this story? It's one minor step back for ten steps forward. Pull this off tonight, Lex, and you become the hero, not them."

There was something about Grace's voice and eyes that seemed to speak to Lex. Her words seemed to hit a note of truth deep in his soul. Hadn't he always wanted that, to be the hero? The idea seemed to grow within him the more he considered it. She was right, he was far smarter than any of these people, and he could pull this off. A smile came to Lex's lips.

"Why don't you send in the makeup artist again, I want to look my best on TV tonight."

The Watchtower

Dr. Fate and the other magical members were busy working on Rose and Dr. Occult. Zatanna desperately wanted to be there with them, but knew she had to let the others know who and what they were dealing with. At the moment she was in the conference room with Jonn, Diana and Shayera. The mood was somber as it should be.

"Their own son did this to them," Shayera commented, "It's hard to believe."

"Not really," Diana said, "The ancient stories are full of this sort of thing. It usually doesn't go as far as this is, but it happens."

"I'm sure Dr. Fate and the others are doing all they can," Jonn interrupted. "Right now, we need to focus on this Nathan. Zatanna, did he give away anything of his plans when you saw him?"

"Just what I've told you, 'Zatanna said, shaking her head, "He wants to destroy this world for what he believes has been done to him."

"And there's no way to talk him out of it?"

"No, he's completely insane," she said, still angry over what he'd done to Rose and Dr. Occult.

"If you can't stop a wild dog, sometimes you have to put it down," Diana commented gravely. Zatanna looked up from the table at this, a little shocked by Diana's words.

"Wh-What are you saying, Diana? Kill him?"

"No," Diana shook her head, "but if there is no other way to stop him, we might have to consider it. We can't allow him to proceed with his plans. I'm sorry if he's insane, but that can't let us underestimate him."

"I don't think I can do that, Diana," Zee said, "I know him, he wasn't always like this. Maybe I can reach him. I can at least take another try."

"I hope you can," Diana offered.

"I think our focus should be on finding him, first,' Shayera interjected. "How we deal with him depends on when we find him and how far his plans have gone."

"I agree," Jonn said, "You said earlier that you recognized his magical signature? Do you think that might be a lead as to where he is now, Zatanna?"

"It might, I can return to where I saw him and see if I get anything," she said.

"Good, I think Shayera should go with you, in case you run into any of his believers."

"I should go as well," Diana said, getting up.

"No," Jonn shook his head, "If his pattern continues, we will need you to lead a team to confront the believers. Shayera's mace disrupts magic so she will be more valuable with Zatanna."

"All right, but I think we should contact all the members in every city to apprise them of the developments. There's no telling where he'll strike next," Diana offered.

"Agreed," Jonn said. They all got up as the meeting was over.

"I'm going to check on Rose and Dr. Occult before I go," Zee said to Shayera.

"Okay, I'll get me mace and meet you at the transporter."

"I'll be in tactical," Jonn said, moving off. Diana was just heading out when Zatanna stopped her.

"What-What you said before, Diana, you were serious, weren't you," she asked.

"I know he's a friend of yours from the past, Zatanna, but we have to look at the worst case scenario. Yes I was serious," Diana gently said. "I pray it doesn't come to that, I do. I just think the further this goes, the less this Nathan leaves us as far as options."

"But to kill him?"

"I was raised as a warrior, Zatanna, sometimes you have to face hard truths," Diana gravely said. "It's always the last option, but we can't deny it is there."

"You would kill him? You could do that?" Zee asked.

"If I had no other choice, yes," Diana said honestly. "Let's just hope none of us are faced with that choice. Go with Shayera, find him, Zatanna."

Zatanna nodded and then headed off towards the infirmary. Diana stood watching her for a moment.

"Hera, please, don't let it come to that," she whispered.

Flight #217

Lois Lane sat in first class steaming. The embarrassment of making an ass of herself in front of Bruce Wayne was still fresh in her mind. The worst part was she'd fallen for it, hook, line and sinker. It burned her that to all people, it had been Clark Kent that had pulled it off. Oh, she was going to make him pay, she thought. That innocent farm boy stuff had suckered her in, but now she was wise to him. He thought he could mess with me, Lois fumed. She hadn't forgotten the other, either. Fred, Doris, Lisa, Milton and Jimmy, Clark's little merry band of pranksters had picked the wrong woman to screw with. She needed a plan, Lois thought, something to show them what a real joke was. A devilish smile came to her face as she began turning over ideas in her mind. They'd messed with the bull, now they would get the horns, she chuckled to herself.

London

Nathan stormed into the underground lair, his sights set on finding Zod. The menacing look on his face told everyone not to get in his way. His first stop was Zod's private quarters. It was Spartan as always, with no sign of the General being there. He moved on to all the other chambers in the lair, but found no sign of Zod. Finally he arrived in the center chamber, where the two of them had met so many times. Zod's chair sat empty in front of a chessboard. As Nathan cursed himself for being distracted by Zatanna, he noticed a white envelop sitting on the board. Moving slowly over to it, he spied his name printed on the front in neat block letters. Snatching it up, he tore it open. Inside was a single sheet of paper. It was a message from Zod.

"Dear Nathan, by now you have discovered I've left these dreary residences. I assume the reason you are looking for me is to kill me. Alas, you always were a step too slow, boy. No matter, my plans are almost complete and then I shall seek you out. Feel free to burn this world down, but know you will not survive to see it. We have two things in common, you and I, we tolerate no insult and we forgive no treachery. When next we meet it will be for the last time. You have my word on it, General Dru-Zod."

Nathan stared at the letter for a moment, feeling a chill run down his back. The General had always been one step ahead of him, he realized. No matter, Nathan quickly thought, let him fix his ailing body and come. I will be waiting; Zod, and all the powers in this or any other world will not spare you from my vengeance. Casting a small spell, he set the note on fire. A smile came to his face as he watched it burn. The blood lust was with him now and it called for more sacrifices. Opening a portal, Nathan stepped through adding one more score to his list. His parents, Zatanna and Zod would all be dealt with before the world went up in flames. As he disappeared, he didn't notice the Black King was missing from the chessboard.

The Watchtower

Clark stepped off the transporter pad, his mind filled with other problems. After talking with Jimmy, he now knew all the details of their plan. He also knew that Lois was going to be furious. When he informed Jimmy and the others what Lois had done to Bruce Wayne they all broke out in laughter. High fives went all around, until he pointed out that it meant she knew about all of it now. The room got very quiet then. He was almost afraid Lisa was going to pass out again, but she managed to stay upright. Clark suggested they all make themselves scarce for the time being. He would deal with Lois and try and calm her down. Good luck with that, Jimmy snickered, before thanking Clark for taking the bullet. They all seemed to vanish into the woodwork after that and Clark nervously paced his office trying to think of something to tell Lois. He called the airlines several times to find out when her flight was due to arrive. It had been delayed because of weather so it seemed he had a reprieve. His shift on the station was fast approaching, so Clark decided to put off talking to Lois until tomorrow. He still had Bruce to deal with and wasn't looking forward to that at all. Changing into his outfit, Clark called Jonn to beam him up. He had his apologizes ready, but when he stepped onto the Watchtower it became apparent that something was up. Everyone was on high alert and Jonn quickly relayed all the information they had learned. A sense of concern and worry over Zatanna hit Clark, but he knew he had to trust her in this. He checked on Dinah first and was glad to see she was making a speedy recovery. Ollie was still by her side and looked like he hadn't slept since he brought her in. Next he went to see how Dr. Occult and Rose Psychic were doing. He had always had his suspicions about their nature, but had never been able to confirm it. Standing there, watching Dr. Fate and the others reciting incantations over the two bodies sickened him. They had managed to slow the phasing of the two, but had not stopped it. The constant shifting of parts so they were never whole was a torture beyond belief. It was hard to imagine their own son could do something that horrible to them. The whole room practically rippled with magic and Clark felt the hair on the back of neck stand up. There was really nothing he could do, so he went to see if any new assaults had taken place. Reaching the command center, Jonn informed him that one new outbreak had occurred, but that Diana and a team were already on the way. Clark offered to join them, but Jonn thought it best to hold him back just in case there were more. Clark agreed and said to let him now if there was anything he could do. Jonn told him he would and Clark headed off towards the cafeteria. It was nighttime on the station, or the artificial equivalent of it, so the lights were low in the corridor. He seemed to have the hall all to himself, when a voice spoke up.

"Superman," the grim voice said. Out of the shadows, the Batman stepped.

"Batman," Clark acknowledged.

"A word," Batman said, and then walked into one of the side conference rooms. Clark had been dreading this, but knew he owed Bruce another apology. Reluctantly, he stepped inside and the door closed behind him.

"So," Bruce started, pulling back his cloak, "I think we have some things to talk about."

"Look, Bruce, I just want to say how sorry I am about this whole Albino business," Clark replied. "It should have never gotten this far and I'm going to straight it out with Lois the first thing tomorrow."

"I would have preferred tonight, but I guess that will have to do," Bruce said, no hint of amusement coming through in his voice.

"It's actually kind of funny, if you think about it, Bruce," Clark ventured, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Why don't we try ripping some of your hair out and see how funny you think it is, Clark," Bruce replied.

"I get your point, sorry again about that," Clark offered, seeing Bruce wasn't in the mood to see the funny side of it.

"You say you'll take care of it, I'll accept it," Bruce finally said.

"Thanks, and sorry again," Clark replied.

"There's another little matter I think we need to discuss," Bruce started, "have a seat, Clark."

"Okay," Clark wearily said, sitting down at the table. Bruce paced back and forth for a moment before turning to stare at Clark.

"So when were you going to tell me, Clark," Bruce asked.

"Ah, tell you what, exactly," Clark said in confusion.

"Zatanna."

"Oh, that," Clark nodded, suddenly realizing what this actually was.

"Yes, that, Clark," Bruce sarcastically said, "It seemed to slip your mind the other day when I asked you about it. Here I didn't think you lied, Clark."

"Actually, I didn't lie, Bruce," Clark defended himself.

"You weren't very forthcoming either," Bruce countered.

"That's true," Clark admitted.

"I think your exact words were you saw her having coffee with someone. A big handsome guy in a suit," Bruce remembered. "Do I have that right, Clark?"

"Yeah, that's pretty accurate," Clark sheepishly admitted. "So technically, I didn't lie."

"That's a pretty slim technicality, Clark," Bruce answered.

"I suppose so."

"So, you're dating Zatanna," Bruce steadily said.

"Yep, that's right," Clark nodded.

"I think it goes without saying you've been a gentleman," Bruce said, looking Clark in the eye. "It does go without saying, doesn't it, Clark?"

"Of course," Clark agreed, starting to feel a little weird about this whole situation.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that," Bruce awkwardly said, starting to pace again.

"Is there anything else, Bruce," Clark asked. He didn't answer for a moment and then spun back around to face Clark.

"So what are your intentions, Clark?"

"Excuse me?"

"It's a pretty straightforward question, Clark, it shouldn't be that difficult to answer."

"You're serious, aren't you," Clark said incredulously.

"Do I look like I'm joking, Clark," Bruce said, giving him his most stern gaze.

"I appreciate that you've always tried to look out for Zee, Bruce, but that's kind of personal, isn't it," Clark replied.

"Why? Do you have something to hide, Clark," Bruce quickly countered.

"No, but what happens between Zee and me is just that, between us," Clark said, not believing he was having this conversation.

"Are you trying to tell me you two are sleeping together, Clark, cause that's what it sounds like," Bruce observed.

"I am not having this conversation with you Bruce," Clark said, standing up.

"I'll take that as a yes," Bruce frowned "I can't say I'm happy about that, but I guess what's done is done. You used protection, I hope?"

"Good-bye, Bruce," Clark said in irritation and walked out of the room.

"This conversation isn't finished, Clark," Bruce said.

"Oh, yes it is, Bruce," Clark said over his shoulder as he headed towards the cafeteria. Bruce pulled his cowl up and muttered to himself as he headed in the opposite direction.