Chapter 22
The Watchtower
Diana, Jonn and Bruce were standing in the command center when Zatanna and Shayera finally returned.
"Anything," asked Jonn.
"No, he's masking his trail too well for us to follow," replied Zatanna. "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about," said Bruce almost immediately. "We follow every lead until we catch him."
"We did record all the symbols and mystical words that were scrolled all over the walls of Dr. Occult and Rose's place," Shayera chimed in. "Maybe something there will help Dr. Fate reverse whatever it was Nathan did to them."
"Were there any other attacks," Zatanna asked.
"Just one," Diana replied. "Superman lead a team down to handle it."
"Oh," Zee said softly, a sense of worry coming over her. "How-How that going? Any news?"
"The violence has ended, Kal is just helping clean up the city," Diana informed her. "It's really the only hot spot left. He should be finished anytime now."
"So he's okay?' Zatanna asked before she could help herself. "I mean, after Dinah, we have to worry about everyone. Hopefully, your team made it through okay, too, Diana."
It was a poor attempted to cover her concern for Clark, but she thought she'd pulled it off. Jonn and Diana didn't seem to notice, while Bruce was as unreadable as always.
"Yes, my team had no injuries," Diana said, flashing a warm smile. "Thank you for your concern, Zatanna."
"Sure," she said, blushing a little.
"Well, it sounds like things are well in hand for the moment," Shayera said. "Want to join me for a cup of coffee, Zee?"
"No, I'm beat, I think I just head back to Metropolis," Zee replied.
'Okay, call me."
Zatanna agreed and was heading for the platform, when Bruce's voice stopped her.
"Should I transport you to your hotel or to Clark's apartment?"
Zee turned around and looked at him, her mouth open in shock. The others gave Batman a strange look.
"W-W-What?"
"Why would she want to go to Kal's apartment," Diana asked. She was confused by both of their reactions.
"Because they're dating," Bruce said with a smug smile. "Isn't that right, Zee?"
"How did you? I mean, when, how long," Zee stammered, completely caught off guard by his statement.
"What?" Both Diana and Shayera said at the same time.
"Is this true, Zatanna," Diana asked immediately.
"Yeah, Zee, is it?" Shayera chimed in, a smile on her face.
"Um, ah, kind of," Zee said weakly.
"Well, look at you," Shayera said, laughing in surprise.
"What exactly does 'kind of' mean, Zatanna," Diana asked, her tone rather formal and serious. Zatanna flashed a look at Bruce, but he just kept smiling. She muttered a curse at him under her breath before answering Diana.
"We've-We've been on a couple of-of dinner d-dates."
"I see." Diana commented, her voice neutral.
"Oh, I think it's more than that, isn't it, Zatanna?" Bruce continued, his smile growing as he watched her squirm. "Clark wasn't very forthcoming when I spoke with him, but I'm guessing things have progressed a lot further than dinner, wouldn't you say?'
"Please tell me you didn't ask him that, Bruce," Zee said, her voice almost pleading. When he didn't reply, she slumped down into a chair and covered her face with her hands. "Oh, God, I'm going to die of embarrassment."
"What do you mean things have progressed further, Bruce," Diana asked, not following his insinuation.
"They're sleeping together," Shayera immediately informed her.
"Oh," Diana said, her face going a little pale at the news.
"Shayera, just hit me with your mace, put me out of my misery," Zee lamented.
"Not before you spill all the details," Shayera replied.
"I must say this is a most unexpected development," Jonn observed.
"I told you I'd find out eventually," Bruce said softly to Zee. She looked at him, the anger plain on her face.
"So how was it," Shayera said, not able to hold off any longer.
"This isn't happening, this can't be happening. I'm dreaming or having a nightmare, that has to be it," Zee said to herself. "Someone pinch me so I can wake up."
Diana, taking her words at face value, reached over and pinched Zatanna.
"Ow! What the hell, Diana?" Zee shouted. "That hurt."
"You asked for someone to pinch you," Diana explained innocently. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
"It's a figure of speech, Diana," Zee complained, rubbing her shoulder. "I didn't mean for you to nearly take a hunk out of me with those big Amazon mitts of yours! Oh, now that's going leave a mark."
Zee rubbed her shoulder as a bruise started to form.
"My hands are not big, they are perfectly proportioned with my body," Diana said in defense of herself.
"Look in the dictionary," replied Zee, still rubbing her shoulder. "I'm pretty sure another word for Amazon is big."
"That's not true," Diana said in her defense.
"You know, I never noticed it before, but you do have some big paws on you, Diana. Here, spread your fingers like this," asked Shayera, showing her how she meant. "I'll bet you can palm a basketball with those."
"If I curl them together, I can also make a fist," Diana responded in annoyance.
"I don't think Shayera was suggesting you had man hands, Diana, just that they are unusual large," offered Jonn.
"I do not have big hands!" Diana protested, crossing her arms in front of her to hide her hands from everyone's view.
"I think I'm getting a bruise," Zee lamented.
"It would match the one on your neck from Clark," Bruce said, continuing his teasing.
"What?" Zee exclaimed, covering her neck in embarrassment. Her face was now bright red as she blushed furiously.
"You got a hickey," Shayera practically shouted, breaking out in laughter.
"I do not!" Zatanna shouted, glaring at Bruce. "Are you happy now? I don't know which is worse, you being funny or your usual creepy stalker."
"I vote creepy stalker. Show of hands," Shayera said with a big smile, holding her hand in the air. Diana glared at her, grinding her teeth in anger.
"One more cute comment and I'll give you a show of hands."
"If it makes you feel better, Zee, I had a long talk with Clark, man to man. I think he got the message," Bruce informed her.
"This is not happening,' Zatanna moaned. "Some how I transported into the bizarro world, where someone who I keep telling myself is a friend, humiliates me with every guy I meet. This can't get any worse."
At that moment, Wally came zipping into the command center holding the newspaper, wearing a huge grin on his face.
"Anybody see today's paper?"
"Not yet, why," Shayera asked.
"Oh, there's a rather interesting article in Cat Grant's gossip column. Guess who it says Zatanna is dating?"
"Oh, God, someone just kill me now," Zee moaned, dropping her head back into her hands.
"That's another figure of speech, Diana, she doesn't literally want to be killed," Jonn explaining calmly to her.
"I know that, Jonn!" Diana shouted in frustration. Wally, Bruce and Shayera just continued to smile.
The Daily Planet
The story of Lois' embarrassment had made the rounds of the building. Clark knew he had to do some serious damage control when she arrived today. He'd gathered all the participants so they were all on the same page. He made sure they all had their stories straight, going over them with each one.
"Okay, guys, Lois is going to be here any minute so prepare yourself,' Clark told them. "Oh, and Lisa, try not to pass out before she gets here, please?"
"I'll try," Lisa said nervously.
"So what do you think her reaction will be," Fred asked. Doris, who was standing behind him nodded nervously in agreement.
"She'll probably just do a lot of screaming," Jimmy said.
"Or she'll set us on fire!" Lisa offered, her eyes wide at the idea.
"Those would be the extremes, but I would guess more towards the screaming end of things," Clark replied, giving Lisa another look.
"Sorry, I get carried away sometimes,' Lisa said meekly.
"Lois never seemed like a woman that would let something like this go," Milton said.
"She's probably plotting to get us back," Doris added.
"Look, I'll take responsibility for the whole thing," Clark replied. "If she's going to be pissed at someone, it might as well be me."
"Don't let her get behind you," Lisa advised. "She's sneaky fast, you can just tell."
"Lisa, honey, do you want something to calm your nerves? A Valium, maybe," Milton asked sweetly.
"Or a Lithium," Doris added.
"I'll be okay, I'll be okay," Lisa said, trying to calm herself down. "Unless she tries to touch me."
"If anyone gets thrown to the floor it will be me, Lisa, I promise," Milton said, trying to comfort her.
"Thank you, Milton," Lisa said with a little smile.
"Okay, nobody's getting thrown to the floor!" Clark told them all. The elevator doors opened and out stepped Lois Lane. She stood there for a moment with a smile on her face, scanning them all.
"So does anyone have anything they want to say to me," she asked, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Lois, we heard about what happened in Gotham and we all want to apologize," Clark told her.
"Sorry," Jimmy said with a bashful smirk.
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Fred chimed in.
"Me too," Doris added, "I really sorry, Lois."
"I'd offer to drive you to work for a month, but I know how you hate my car," Milton said. "Sorry."
"Sorry, Ms. Lane," Lisa added meekly. Lois looked at all of them without saying a word for several moments.
"Well, it's a start," she replied.
"I'm the one to blame, Lois," Clark offered. "It was only suppose to be a little joke and it got way out of hand. We didn't mean any harm."
"Well," Lois replied, softening a little. "Just so you know, this does mean I have to pay you all back, one by one."
"Ah, come on, Lois, it doesn't work if you tell us ahead of time," Jimmy said with a laugh.
"Oh really?"
Jimmy's laugh died on his lips as she walked towards them. Fred and Doris instinctively took a step back, while Milton stepped in front of Lisa.
"Lois, come on now, let's be big about this," Clark said to her.
"Be very careful what you say, Clark," Lois warned. "I am holding you most responsible for this. The rest of your little merry band here wouldn't have had the guts to try something like this. Well, maybe Jimmy would, it's always the most innocent looking that are the most devious."
"I would never, Lois," Jimmy said in his most sincere voice.
"Save it."
"Lois, I take full responsibility for all of it. Just tell me how I can make it up to you," Clark asked.
"Let me think about it for awhile," she replied. Lois turned and looked at the others.
"I have to say, your four surprised me. I'm impressed; I didn't think you had it in you. I might just let it go with you, or maybe not. I guess you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"
"Bring-Bring it on,' Milton said boldly. The others took a step away from him. Lois' smile grew even bigger as she turned all her focus on Milton.
"Excuse me? What was that, little man?"
"N-Nothing," Milton said, starting to shake a little.
Lois stepped closer to Milton, looking down into his eyes. His bravado abandon him almost at once when he was the center of Lois' attention.
"Do you like the Wizard of Oz, Milt? There's a line in it you should remember. Be careful, scarecrow, you play with fire, you might get burned," she whispered to him. Sweat beads began to roll down Milton's face.
"Fire!" Lisa shouted, and before anyone could react, she reached out and threw Lois to the floor.
"What the hell?" Lois shouted, looking up from the floor. Everyone turned and looked at Lisa in shock.
"Sorry, I-I might have got carried away there," she said. As she looked around, Lisa suddenly realized everyone was staring at her. As if a light switch had been flicked, she went down for the count.
"There she goes," Milton shouted. Jimmy and Fred managed to catch her and ease her down to the floor. Most of the office were now gathering around to see what had happened. Clark quickly helped Lois off the floor and made sure she was all right.
"Maybe you should leave her out of any plans you have," Clark offered.
"Yeah, Lois, give the kid a break," Cat Grant said to her.
"Me? It was her! She throw me to the ground!"
"Sure she did," Cat said mockingly. "That little slip of a girl attack you? Right. What did you do to her this time?"
"I didn't even touch her!"
Bonneville Salt Flats
General Zod's loyal second, Anon was lead down the hidden stairway to the secret caverns below. With each step Anon took down, the drums got louder and louder. He was made to wait in the anteroom while the priests were consulted. There was a strong possibility he would make it out of here alive, but the General had given him an order and he had no thought of disobeying it. After almost an hour, he was ushered into the main chamber. He bowed formally to the priests and waited for them to speak.
"You take a great risk coming here," said one of the priests.
"The General asked me to speak with you personally."
"We have already heard of his treachery, what more is there to say?"
"The General understands you have made your choice and he will not stand in your way. He wishes an understanding between him and you," Anon said.
"He used us for his own ends, delaying the transformation."
"Delaying can also be thought of as cautious," Anon offered. "As for his goals, yes, he did seek something for himself. He would point out that there are no selfless acts in this world. Everyone, including the members in this room, seek something for themselves."
"This is true," said one of the priests. "It changes nothing. What is the real reason you came?"
"The General wishes to offer his best wishes on your continuing project and to give you a warning," Anon replied.
"What warning?"
"As I said, the General understands you have made your choice and he will step aside. His warning is about your choice. Nathan. The young man is rash and unpredictable. He brings notice to your cause before it is necessary. He spits in the eye of the heroes, almost daring them to take action against him. As you realize, if they take action against him, which they most certainly will, he puts your plans in jeopardy. You have planned too long and sacrificed too much to allow young Nathan to destroy it. That is the General's warning. Beware of Nathan Occult."
Only the drums could be heard for several minutes.
"You will be allowed to leave. Tell the General we wish him well with his own transformation and we will head his warning. Go," said the priest. With a bow, Anon left the room.
The Watchtower – Later
Diana was sitting alone in the cafeteria deep in thought when Wally came zipping up with two coffees in his hands.
"All that thinking is going to wear you out, Diana. I thought you might need a recharge," he said.
"Thank you, Wally," Diana replied, with a weak smile. She accepted the coffee, but set it down untouched. Wally gave her a look and then took the seat across from her. Her hands were in front of her as she gazed down at the table.
"Quite a day, huh," Wally said, breaking the silence.
"Yes," Diana answered.
"So you want to talk about what's bothering you, Diana?"
Diana seemed to think about it for a moment before responding.
"Can I ask your serious opinion, Wally?"
"My serious opinion? That's a first. Sure, Diana, go ahead." Wally smiled at her. Diana straightened up in her seat and stretched her arms out to the sides.
"Are they really too big," Diana asked. Wally sputtered and blushed then took a long drink from his coffee before he replied.
"Seriously?"
"Yes, please be honest with me," Diana asked.
"Ah, um, ah, well, no, they don't look too big from here. I'd say you were just a healthy woman, same goes for Powergirl."
"Powergirl? What does she have to do with this?"
"What were you talking about exactly," asked Wally. He suddenly had a very uneasy feeling.
"What exactly were you talking about, Wally," Diana exclaimed. He could see the anger rising in her eyes.
"Well, I thought you meant, well, you know." Wally stammered, tentatively gesturing towards Diana's top. "Isn't that what you meant by are they too big?"
"My hands, Wally! I was asking about my hands!" Diana shouted in anger. She crossed her arms in front of her and glared at Wally.
"I-I think I-I hear, Jonn, calling me, Bye!" Wally said quickly. In the next moment he disappeared, leaving a very angry Amazon in his wake.
