Chapter 33
The Daily Planet
Lois slowly walked into the newsroom and headed for Perry's office. She'd been thinking about this all the way from the funeral. Lightly rapping on the door, she waited for his gruff voice to reply.
"It's open."
She opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her. Perry was still going over the morning's paper when he looked up and saw her.
"Lois! I don't know if you saw today's edition yet, but great work on the column! I thought it was so good, I ran it front page," he said to her.
"Oh, no, I didn't see it yet. Thank you," she replied. Perry noticed immediately there was none of the usual brashness about her.
"What's wrong?"
"I know you're looking for a new reporter for the Washington bureau." She began, "I'd like you to let me take it for awhile."
"You want to transfer from Metropolis?"
"Just for awhile," she said. "Until you find someone permanent."
"What's going on, Lois," he asked.
"I need a break, Perry," she replied, looking him in the eye. "I just feel like I need to get away from all this."
"But you love Metropolis, Lois. Hell, I know this business with Lisa and Milton is tough. It's been tough on all of us, but this isn't like you." Perry returned her gaze, wanting her to know just how valuable he thought she was. "You're the best damn reporter we have! You have a nose for the story, I know you. You like being where the action is. This column about heroes is some of your best work."
"I'm tired of heroes right now, Perry. Please," she said, the seriousness in her tone and eyes.
"I can't talk you out of this, can I," he asked.
"No," she replied. "It's not forever, I just need to get away from here for now."
Perry looked at her and could see her emotions were just below the surface. He knew the attack in the office had taken a toll on everyone, but he was frankly surprised by this. He always secretly admired the tough as nails, no nonsense front she put on for the world, but the façade was gone now. Sitting across from him, she looked vulnerable in a way he'd never seen her. The word fragile came to his mind.
"Okay, Lo, you can have it, for now," he said finally.
"Thank you, Perry." Lois managed a hint of a smile to show her gratitude to him. She slowly got up and without another word, left the office.
Dr. Fate's Invisible Tower
Fate and his wife, Inez were worried as they watched Rose Psychic. Since coming back from Kingsport, she'd hardly spoken. There was a dull listless look in her eyes as if some of the life had been taken away. They could see that the realization of what her own son was capable of shocked her to her core. They had tried to offer support, but she seemed beyond caring. As if numb to it all, she sat down and allowed Richard Occult to take control. It was still something to see the transformation between the two. Richard took a moment to gather himself before walking over to Fate and Inez.
"Has there been any news?" It was the first thing out of his mouth.
"More attacks, but no closer to catching him," Fate replied.
"We have to find him."
"His movements are quite random, Richard."
"They only appear to be random, I'm sure there's some pattern to them."
"No one has been able to find it so far, Richard," Inez offered.
"It's good to see you again, Inez," Richard said to her. "I know him better than most, I'll figure it out."
"Rose will not allow you to kill him, Richard," Fate said.
"Yes, I know," he said with a reluctant nod. "Do you think that decision was easy for me? He's my son, Fate. In some ways this is my fault."
"How can you say that," Inez asked.
"I was dead, Inez, gone. Rose saved me the only way she could. Because she loved me, she risked everything for me. I didn't know she was pregnant with Nathan when she did it. I can only imagine what these transitions might have done to him. If I'd have stayed dead, he might not have become this monster."
"You both did the best you could," Inez replied. "Nathan chose this path for himself."
"That's easy to say, but what kind of father was I, really," Richard asked. "I made so many mistakes with him. It's his hatred and resentment of me that started all of this. Rose was always the strong one, always there for him. I just didn't see any of this."
"No parent is perfect, Richard," Fate offered. "I've known you and Rose for years. You did your best and were loving, if unusual parents. Nathan is ultimately responsible for his own actions."
"I'd like to believe that, but right now, the important thing is to find him."
"What then," Inez asked.
"Rose has made the decision and I'll live with it. I guess I'll have to try and bring my boy back from the abyss," Richard gravely said. Inez could tell her husband had serious doubts about that course of action, but he said nothing.
LuthorCorp
An array of monitors lined one wall of Lex's office, each tuned to a different new channel. He sat at his desk with a smile on his face, as each new report came in.
"I take it you're pleased with the results," Grace said as she walked into his office.
"Yes." He laughed. "If I'd have known it was this easy to rattled those heroes cages, I'd have started spending money years ago."
"This is a special case, you realize, Lex." She pointed out. "The parties doing the most damage aren't being paid by you or anyone else that I can find."
"Some times you just get lucky," he said with a smile. "Have you seen the latest news? It seems Vigilante took quite the beating. Reports are he's in very bad shape. No clues as to who it was that did it either."
"It wasn't one of ours," she replied, checking over her notes.
"No matter, it only helps our message."
"Speaking of that, have you seen the front page of the Daily Planet?"
"I not a huge fan of that paper, but yes I saw it today," he said.
"I think there's something we can use in it. The column by Lois Lane strikes the perfect tone for us." Grace took out the paper and spread it out of Lex's desk, pointing to the column.
"I read it, but there's nothing remotely critical of heroes, just the opposite."
"No, but this young girl that was killed, this Lisa Fremont is perfect for us."
"How so," he asked.
"It puts a face on the argument you've been making," Grace replied. "She perfect, an ordinary citizen that sacrificed her life to save another. That's a true hero. Plus, the location of her heroism couldn't be more perfect. How many times has Superman saved the day at that place? How come he wasn't there this time? A young girl gave her life because he wasn't there."
"Oh, I like it." Lex smiled. "We can spin it into the argument of how we've all gotten too depended on the heroes to save us. This girl shows us that we have to save ourselves."
"Superman will be sure to hear it." Grace smiled. "I imagine the guilt is already eating away at him."
"Maybe we can tweak it up just a few more notches," Lex said, a wide smile on his face.
The Watchtower
Jonn felt well enough to leave the infirmary, which helped as it was starting to fill up fast. Hawk and Dove had been attacked, along with the Crimson Avenger, but the worst was Vigilante. He was in intensive care under the watchful eye of Ray Palmer and Mr. Terrific. Batman had been poring over all the reports for hours. When the news of the attack in Zatanna's hotel room came in, his first instincts were to go to her. The alarm and fear for her safety had him desperate to see her and to make sure she was all right, but he stopped himself. Even though every fiber of his being wanted to be there for her, he had a job to do up here. With each new attack, critical data was gathered. He felt if he just looked hard enough, soon the pattern would emerge. The key to stopping Nathan and whoever else that were behind this was here somewhere; he just had to find it. His calm rational side told him she was okay and that he would be of more help to her figuring this all out. There was another voice that nagged at the edges of his mind. This voice whispered to him that his friend needed him to be there for her. It didn't matter if there was nothing he could do, just to be there, to sit and listen or hold her, he should be there. As a new report of an attack came in, the Batman side won out.
"I've learned some interesting information from my scan of Vigilante," Jonn said.
"Did he see who did this to him," Bruce asked.
"Yes and no. The attackers were shrouded, but the way they attacked is interesting."
"How so?"
"One of his attackers stopped his bike at top speed with ease, then ripped it apart rather effortlessly. Vigilante's bullets had no effect on the attacker; in fact he caught several of them out of the air. The other attacker stayed in the shadows and then blindsided him with a whip. It wasn't an ordinary whip either; it was infused with some sort of energy."
"So we have two people besides Nathan that are behind this," Batman said.
"Their attack seemed much more thought out, planned, almost with military precision. It was brutal, yet it was over in lightning speed. From what I saw in his mind, they could have easily killed him," Jonn offered.
"So it was a message." Batman nodded. "Now the only problem is figuring out what exactly that message is?"
"Perhaps it has something to do with the current campaign under way against heroes?"
"That would make sense, since it's financed by Lex Luthor. I just haven't been able to find any link back to him yet."
"Perhaps there isn't one,' Jonn offered. "Perhaps these attackers are inspired by his message."
"That's a possibility, but with Luthor involved I'm skeptical. From what you've told me, I think we can narrow it down considerably who these two are."
" There's one more thing," Jonn said. "When I was looking at the images in Vigilante's mind, there was something familiar about it. I believe the ones that attacked him are the same ones that attacked me."
"I thought Nathan attacked you?"
"I did as well, but now I'm not so sure."
"That changes the pattern again," Batman said, turning back to the computer to run over the data once more.
The Excelsior
Zatanna sat curled up on the bed of the new room the hotel had provided for her. She taken a shower and changed out of her clothes into Clark's old Smallville sweatshirt. The police had cordoned off her old room as a murder scene. Her eyes were red from crying, as the horrible images played over and over in her mind. The hotel manager had been nailed to the wall above her bed. There were burns and marks all over his body. The police had been reluctant to allow her in the room, but she just had to know. As she entered the room, she felt as if she would faint, but desperately struggled to stay in control of her emotions. There was blood and the black tar substance everywhere. As she stood there taking in the horror of it all, the manager sudden opened his eyes. Zatanna along with several of the police officers screamed as an unearthly voice came from his tormented lips.
"You interfered with my private vengeance, Zatanna, and you will pay for that. Those close to you will feel my pain."
Zatanna covered her mouth with her hands, realizing it was a direct message from Nathan to her. He made it abundantly clear he was targeting those she cared about. Police and medical personal were moving all around her, shouts of alarm and confusion reigned. She had been taken out of the room and brought up here. The police questioned her for almost an hour and a half before they finally left. The hotel staff had brought most of her things up to this new room, but she didn't care about any of it. Sitting alone, her mind kept going back to Nathan's words. Those close to her would suffer. Her mind immediately made the connection to Clark. Nathan had attacked him once because of her, so there was a strong possibility he would try again. She knew Clark was Superman, but one of his biggest vulnerabilities was magic. Nathan had already injured him badly and she feared what might happen to Clark the next time. Madame Xanadu's reading still haunted her. She would make a mistake that would cause Clark to suffer. Had she already made that mistake? Was it that she hadn't stopped Nathan the first time he confronted her? Was it allowing it to get out she was dating Clark? She didn't know, but her worst fear was that she hadn't made it yet. What if they were in battle and she froze? The thought of Clark being hurt because of her tore at her heart. She had to protect him, no matter what the cost. She would let Nathan or anyone injure the man she was in love with. As those words tripped across her mind, she was stunned to realize what she'd just thought. She was in love with Clark Kent. When did that happen she wondered? She knew they were getting closer all the time, but now that she'd thought it, she couldn't deny it. She loved Clark. The realization only made the decisions she would have to make harder. Fresh tears came to her bloodshot eyes at this thought.
Smallville
Clark had left Milton's unorthodox funeral and decided to check in on Martha Kent. Perhaps it was seeing both Lisa's and Milton's parents at their funeral that gave him this urge, but he felt a need to see her. He landed by the barn and quickly switched into his civilian clothes. As always Ma was happen to see him. She looked a little thinner and he couldn't help noticing how she seemed to tire much faster. Her breathing wasn't what it should be, but she told him the pills were helping. He tried to put on a brave face for her, reassuring her that his stabbing sounded worse than it was. He doubted he fooled her, but she let him pretend. Several of the local ladies from the church were coming to take Martha out to dinner, so his visit was only an hour or two. As he was leaving, he felt a wave of despair hit him, as he watched Ma struggle to get ready for her outing. He hovered several thousand feet above the farm just watching her, making sure she was okay. He realized she'd put on a brave face for him too. Her illness was taking a toll on her, but she was bravely fighting it. The church ladies finally arrived and Martha seemed happy to get out of the house. Clark lingered, watching them drive away, feeling helpless about what to do.
The Watchtower
Wally and Diana were sitting in the cafeteria, having just come back from separate mission. He was doing his best to smooth things over with her, avoiding any topic that might set her off. It was a good strategy until Diana let slip that Bruce had asked her out on a date.
"Hold on, hold on, Bruce asked you out?"
"Yes, just dinner," Diana clarified. Wally sat there with a big smile on his face. He turned to see Shayera entering the room and quickly called her over. As she sat down at the table she looked from one to the other.
"What? What's so important?"
"Guess who has a date with Bruce," Wally said with a grin.
"You," Shayera gasped, looking at Diana. Diana felt herself blush under the attention.
"Yes, just dinner, that's all," she quickly said.
"If you say so." Wally smirked.
"Wally," Diana said, flashing him a warning look.
"I didn't mean anything by it," he quickly replied.
"You better not."
"So your first date, interesting," Shayera said. "Are you nervous?"
"No. Why would I be nervous? It's just dinner," Diana informed them.
"There's a difference between dinner and a date, Diana," Shayera said with a smile.
"Yes, a romantic dinner date," Wally added.
"I don't recall saying it was a romantic dinner,' Diana replied.
"Well, he's not going to take you to Appleby's for the wings, Diana,' Wally offered. "Bruce is a class guy, he'll do it up right."
"What are you suggesting?"
"Candlelight, soft music, expensive wine," Wally said, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
"Some exclusive, out of the way, romantic location," Shayera added, getting into the spirit.
"Maybe a furtive, lingering glance across the table."
"A gentle caress of his hand against yours."
"A suggestive smile."
"A slow dance in the moonlight," Shayera said with a hint of excitement.
"And then he makes his move," Wally added.
"Stop!" Diana practically shouted. "I know what you're suggesting and that will not happen."
"It is a date, Diana," Wally offered.
"Yes, but-but not that kind,' Diana said, flustered by all their suggestive comments.
'So nothing," Wally asked. "You're just going to eat the food and leave?"
"I'm not sleeping with him if that's what you're suggesting." Diana fumed.
"I wasn't saying that, but nothing? Come on, Diana," Wally replied.
"I think that is what you were suggesting, Wally, but you do have a point,' Shayera chimed in. "Didn't you say you were interested in learning about all these new and strange customs in the Man's world, Diana?"
"Yes," she admitted.
"Well, a dinner date is more than just sitting at the same table eating, Diana."
"I-I know that," Diana reluctantly said.
"So does that mean if he wants to kiss you good night, you'll allow it," Shayera asked.
"I hadn't considered it, but I suppose one kiss wouldn't be too much," Diana offered.
'How about dancing,' Wally asked.
"Yes, I don't see anything wrong with that,' Diana replied.
"Slow dancing?"
"I suppose."
Wally and Shayera exchanged smiles and then continued.
"So what are you wearing on this date, Diana? Not your uniform," Shayera asked.
"I like your uniform, a lot," Wally said, but then received a smack from Shayera.
"I would wear civilian clothes," Diana said. She gave Wally a look before turning her attention back to Shayera.
"Not one of those toga things you wear back home, I hope," Shayera asked.
"I suppose not."
"So champagne? A little wine, that's not off limits is it," Wally asked.
"No, that would be acceptable."
"So there you are, in a suggestive dress, having some wine, while romantic music plays."
"Maybe a slow intimate dance," Shayera added.
"In the moonlight, has to be in the moonlight," Wally said.
"You're in his arms and he leans in gently and lightly kisses you. Is that okay, Diana," Shayera asked, her voice almost a whisper.
"I-I suppose," Diana said, getting flustered by the direction of this whole conversation.
"So as he's holding you close, his hands gently caressing your sides, if he leans in again, for another kiss, would that be okay, Diana," Shayera suggestively asked.
"I-I-I don't know-know," Diana stammered.
"How about a little tongue," Wally asked. Diana's face went white, as she stood up from the table.
"I'm not sleeping with him," she shouted, more than a little flustered by all of this. She glared at both of them and stormed off. They watched her go, both with smiles on their faces.
"That was fun," Shayera said.
"Yeah, we make a good team," Wally replied. "Let's go mess with Ollie."
"Okay!"
