Chapter 25
Metropolis
Lois had been thinking about it all night. It was such a shock to finally realize that Superman was Clark Kent. She's sat up late, confused and full of questions. It was just before she finally decided to get some sleep that one point stuck in her mind. Why hadn't he told her? The more she thought about it, the more she found herself getting angry with Superman,… well, Clark, whatever. Of all the people in the world, hadn't she shown him that she could be trusted? When the whole Darkseid invasion thing happened, who had it been that had believed in him and supported him? I did, that's who, Lois thought to herself. How dare he keep this from me after all we've been through? What did he think he was doing, protecting me? Well, Lois Lane can protect herself, mister. These thoughts swirled around in her mind as she headed to work. With each step she took, the click of her heels became more like the drumbeat leading up to a confrontation. As she got to the Daily Planet building, her mind was set on storming into his office and having it out right there. Riding up in the elevator, she tapped her foot in agitation, ready to give him a piece of her mind. She practically burst from the elevator when doors opened and made a beeline towards his office. It was empty she discovered in frustration. Typical, she thought, I want to have an argument and he's nowhere to be found. Glancing around the newsroom, Lois spotted Jimmy.
"Jimmy, where the hell is Clark?"
"Good morning to you too, Lois," Jimmy replied. "Clark might not be in today. He called in earlier to say he was going to Smallville to see how his Mom was doing. He said he might be back this afternoon."
"What? Did something happen? Is Martha okay," Lois asked with concern. Her anger was immediately forgotten at the thought that something might have happened to Martha.
"I don't think anything new has happened, but I guess it isn't looking good."
"Oh," Lois said. Worry and sadness overtook her in that moment. Martha Kent, in many ways, was like a second mother to Lois. She had welcomed her with open arms from the moment they'd met and the reminder of her being gravely ill shook Lois. Silently, she offered a little prayer for the good and gentle woman.
Smallville
Clark turned the rental car down the side road and headed towards the farm.
"Are you sure about this, Clark," Zatanna asked apprehensively. "I mean, I don't want to intrude on your time with your mother."
"You're not intruding, Zee, besides, Ma wanted to meet you," Clark replied.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Zee said nervously. When he'd asked her to join him, she'd been flattered that he wanted her with him. Now as they neared the farm, she suddenly realized this was kind of a big step they were taking. I'm meeting his family, oh, God, why did I agree to this, she thought to herself. What if his mother hates me? What if I say the wrong thing or break some valuable commemorative plate or Hummel figurine? I never met the parent of a guy I was dating before, what does this mean about our relationship? Worries and concerns filled Zee's head as the farm came into view in the distance.
"Hey, don't be nervous, my Mom will love you. Relax," Clark said.
"That's easy for you to say," she replied. She bit her thumbnail nervously, hoping this didn't turn out to be a horrible idea.
"If it helps, she's probably just as nervous about meeting you, as you are meeting her."
"Why? What did you tell her about me," Zee asked quickly. "Is it because I'm in show business? She reads the tabloids and thinks we're all like that, is that the problem?"
Clark chuckled at this and shook his head.
"Relax, Zee, I just meant she knows you're important to me, that's all."
"Oh," she said softly, blushing a little at the compliment.
"Besides, it will give Ma a chance to embarrass me in front of someone new," Clark offered.
"Will there be pictures?" Zee teased. She brightened at this new idea.
"Unfortunately, yes," Clark replied.
"Real embarrassing pictures? And stories?" Zee continued, a smile spreading across her face.
"Let's hope not, at least, not too many."
Zee laughed and relaxed a little. He turned into the driveway and pulled up to the house. As they climbed out of the car, the screen door opened and Martha Kent stepped outside. Clark immediately could see she was thinner and looked tired. Concern filled him, but he put on a smile and went to her.
"Clark? What's wrong?" Martha asked as he embraced her. Leave it to her to think that, Clark chuckled to himself.
"Nothing, Ma, I just thought I'd stop by," Clark replied. "Besides, there's someone I'd like you to meet."
Zatanna had gotten out of the car and was standing a few feet away. She nervously brushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear and tried to smile as the attention turned to her.
"Ma, this is Zatanna," Clark said. "Zatanna, I'd like you to meet my mother, Martha Kent."
Martha turned to see the beautiful young woman standing there. A smile came to her face as she saw how obviously nervous she was. The girl must like Clark a lot if she'd worried about meeting me, Martha thought to herself.
"Hello, Mrs. Kent, it's-it's nice to meet you," Zatanna offered.
"Well, hello yourself, young lady," Martha said with a smile. "Clark said you were pretty, but you are simply gorgeous, Zatanna. I love what you're wearing, too."
"Thank you, Mrs. Kent." Zee beamed at the compliments.
"Well, come on inside," Martha offered, smiling at Zatanna. "And none of this Mrs. Kent, either. You can call me Martha or Ma."
"O-Okay, Martha," Zee replied. The older woman took her by the arm and ushered her towards the house.
"You're looking just a little thin, honey. The same thing always happens to Clark. Don't they feed you two in the big city?"
"Ma," Clark said as a warning.
"Oh, hush, Clark, can't you see Zatanna and I are talking? Now did you forget your manners or are you going to open the door?"
"I can see this is going to be a long day," Clark said under his breath.
"What was that, son?"
"Nothing, Ma."
"So I hear you're in show business, Zatanna, that must be so exciting. I want you to tell me all about it."
"Well, it's not really as glamorous as it looks, Martha," Zee replied.
"Oh, don't be modest, dear," said Martha. "I'll bet you've met all sorts of celebrities, haven't you?"
"A couple," Zee offered.
"I expect names and stories."
Clark just shook his head and followed them inside.
Saint-Tropez
Morgaine rolled over in the bed with a smile on her youthful, beautiful face. It had been so long since she'd felt this way. The simple things, the touch of silk sheets against her skin, the ocean breeze gently caressing her face, the feel of a man against her, seemed to bring her the most amazing pleasure. She reached her hand out to the other side of the bed, but found it empty. Glancing around the spacious hotel room, she saw Zod standing on the balcony. He seemed to be just gazing out at the sea, lost in thought.
"Did you sleep at all, Dru," she asked.
"No, I find I need very little of it now that I'm whole again," he said, not turning to look at her. Morgaine wrapped the sheet around her and walked out to the balcony next to him.
"What captures your attention so much," she whispered to him.
"The water," he replied. "This planet has such an amazing abundance of it. It's an essential ingredient in the formation of life. My own world and countless others valued it so highly, yet here you have an embarrassment of riches. Perhaps it's the reason this planet seems so dynamic."
"I thought you couldn't wait to get off this miserable world, as you called it?"
He turned to her now, taking in her breathtaking beauty. What a horrible curse it was to destroy it, he thought.
"I've had time to think since we've been here. You were right," he admitted.
"Was I?"
"Yes, I've been given this new life and I was all set to squander it," he said to her. "In the rush of new found power I forgot every lesson I learned during my ordeal."
"Does this mean you're turning away from your plans for vengeance," she asked.
"No, of course not," he replied. "Weak or strong, I am not a man that forgets or forgives."
"I'm glad to hear that," she said with a smile.
"What I am going to do is use my greatest strength, my mind. If I learned nothing else during my time in that shell of a body, it was that. This restored power I have is useless, unless I use it wisely. Why confront my enemies head on, when others will do it for me? I will pick the time and place to strike at them when it will do the most damage."
"And until then," Morgaine asked. Zod put his arm around her and leaned in to kiss her.
"I've been given a new life. I thought perhaps I would enjoy my time with the beautiful woman next to me. This world offers many pleasures."
He kissed her hard and demanding, but she returned it with equal passion.
"Yes it does," she said seductively. "When the time is right, we will strike that blow together, Dru."
"You are a fascinating woman, Morgaine. Let us go back to bed."
"Yes, we've both slept enough for a long time."
The Watchtower
Bruce was sitting with Diana and Shayera discussing recent events when Wally nervously approached. Diana gave him a cool look and then turned away.
"Diana? Can I talk to you," Wally said to her. When she didn't immediately answer, Shayera gave her a nudge.
"Diana."
"All right," Diana said. "What do you want to talk about Wally?"
"I just wanted to apologize for the other day. I hope you know it was an honest mistake?"
"I suppose," Diana said, reluctantly.
"I mean put yourself in my shoes, what was I suppose to think you were talking about?"
"Wally," Diana said, cutting him off. "I except your apology. Let's just forget it ever happened."
"Thank you," Wally said in relief. He slipped into a chair next to Shayera. "The look on your face the other day, I thought you were going to kill me. With your strength you could probably have pitched me half way to the moon or something."
"What he say," Shayera asked, her curiosity peaked.
"It's not important," Diana coldly replied. "It's done and in the past."
"What did you say?" Shayera turned and said to Wally.
"Shayera," Diana exclaimed.
"That's private, Shayera, between Diana and me," Wally said.
"You can tell me later," Shayera whispered to him.
"Shayera," Diana shouted. Shayera just shrugged and smiled.
"Did I just hear you say that, Wally," Bruce asked. The surprise was written all over his face.
"Yes, Bruce, you did," Wally said firmly. "I accidentally insulted Diana and let's just let it go at that. Like she said, it's over and done with."
"Thank you, Wally," Diana said with a smile.
"You're welcome."
"I must say I'm impressed with this new adult attitude, Wally," Bruce offered.
"Yeah, what's wrong with you," Shayera chimed in.
"Nothing," Wally said in his defense. "Look, Diana's my friend. I made a mistake and I'm man enough to admit it."
"I'm impressed as well, Wally," Diana said with a smile.
"Thank you, besides, I'd have to be crazy to want a super powered Amazon princess angry at me." Wally continued, chuckling a little as he shifted his attention to Bruce. "You know Bruce if you ever break down and start dating Diana, that's something you should keep in mind. As powerful as Diana is, you're going to have to be extra, extra careful when you sleep together."
"Wally!" The other three shouted.
"What?"
"For the last time, we are not dating and we're not sleeping together," Bruce said, his voice on edge.
"We most certainly aren't sleeping together." Diana vehemently said.
"Well, not now, but once you start dating," Wally offered.
"Wally, I have no interest in coupling with Bruce," Diana flatly said.
"You don't," Shayera said in surprise.
"No."
"Seriously," Bruce found himself asking.
"You thought that's what I wanted," Diana cried out in shock.
"Well, um, ah, you have been making it rather clear you were, well, interested."
"He has a point, Diana, we've all noticed it," Wally chimed in. Diana gave him a withering glance that immediately shut him up and then turned to Bruce.
"A date, Bruce, I was interested in going out on a date,' Diana explained. "I've only been in the Man's World a short time and I find many of the customs both interesting and unfamiliar. Dating is one of those, so I thought I'd see what it was all about."
"Well, usually dating involves a certain level of intimacy, Diana," Bruce explained carefully.
"Especially your dates, am I right, Bruce," Wally said with a lecherous smile. Bruce gave him his best Batman scowl and Wally wisely shut up again.
"I'm well aware of Bruce's reputation as a playboy, but I assure you I didn't wish to be another scar on his bed frame," Diana said forcefully.
"That's notch on his bedpost, Diana." Shayera corrected her. The look Diana gave her caused Shayera to join Wally in silence. Diana turned back to Bruce.
"A date from my reading consists of some activity between two people, such as dinner or dancing, perhaps a movie," Diana explained. "You're an interesting, intelligent, handsome man, Bruce, and I thought it might be enjoyable to do one of those activities with you."
"And that's what you were interested in? That's all," Bruce asked, still a little shocked by her explanation.
"Yes, Bruce!"
"Oh."
The whole table was silent for a moment.
"Hey, could I ask another question?" Wally spoke up.
"NO!" Came the response from both Bruce and Diana.
Smallville
Clark and Zatanna were driving back from the farm after spending most of the morning with Martha.
"I like your mother, Clark," Zee offered.
"I'm glad, she liked you too."
"You're still worried about her, aren't you?"
"Yes," Clark admitted. "It wasn't noticeable at first, but now I can see the changes happening. It's still hard to accept."
"I know, Clark, I lost both of my parents. It's never easy to see someone you care about slowing down."
"It's not just that," Clark said. "I find myself wondering if being who I am might have contributed to it in some way. She'd never admit it, but I know Ma worries about me all the time. How many years has it taken from her always wondering if I'm okay or not? My Dad, Jonathan Kent died prematurely, I guess this has just brought up all those old worries and concerns."
"You shouldn't think that way, Clark," Zatanna countered. "I only met her today, but even I can see how proud she is of you. It's not just because you're Superman, either. You can just tell the way she talks about you. When we were looking at those pictures of you she had a pride in her voice and a smile on her face."
"The pictures, don't remind me," Clark groaned.
"Come on, they were only a little embarrassing," Zee said with a chuckle. "She promised the next time I come to pull out the really embarrassing ones."
"I'm starting to think this was a big mistake."
"Hey! Take that back!"
"I was just kidding, Zee."
"I know," she admitted. "It's just that today was important. If your Mom hadn't liked me, I don't know what I've had done."
"What's not to like," Clark said with a smile.
"Thank you, but seriously, it meant a lot to me that you wanted to bring me today."
"Seriously, I wanted to bring you," Clark replied. "I know things are going to be crazy up on the tower, but down here it's just you and me. Besides, if I hadn't, I'd have never heard the end of it from Ma."
"I'm liking her more and more," Zee teased.
"Great, I just wished she hadn't brought out the baby pictures," Clark said. "That's always so embarrassing. I know she does it for that reason."
"They were cute," Zee responded. "She even gave me one."
"What? Oh, no, I'm sorry, we can't have that," Clark said. "Which one?"
"I'm not telling," Zee laughed, pulling her purse tighter to her body.
"You know I have x-ray vision, Zee." Clark pointed out. Zatanna quickly pulled the picture out and stuffed it down her blouse.
"There," she said with a big smile. "Now you can't use your x-ray vision. I expect you to be a gentleman and not look."
"You know, it's not like I haven't seen you topless before." Clark teased. "It wouldn't really be that big a violation if I just took a quick peak."
"You better not," Zee warned. "I'll tell you Mom on you, Clark."
"Yeah, definitely rethinking this whole idea," Clark joked.
"Well its too late now, Mr. Kent" Zee said with a big grin.
"I guess I'm stuck with you, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess you are."
Daily Planet
A taxi pulled up in front of the building and Clark stepped out. He leaned in to kiss Zatanna before going up to thank Perry for giving him the day off. Zatanna had a show to do; so she was going to continue on to the theatre. The kiss lingered just a little longer than necessary. They both agreed to meet back at his place later. Clark watched the taxi pull away before heading inside.
Neither of them noticed the figure standing across the street in the shadows. As the taxi pulled away, the figure stepped out to watch Zatanna disappear. It was Nathan Occult and there was a cruel smile on his face. He turned his gaze towards Clark and watched him enter the building.
"I warned you not to interfere with me, Zatanna, now I'll have to teach you a lesson. You robbed me of the vengeance against my parents, so I'll take it out on someone you care about, one Clark Kent." Nathan's smile grew even colder as he let his eyes roam up the side of the Daily Planet building.
