I'll Get The Check

Gotham Heights

When you scrape off the top layer of neo-small town bullshit, i.e. the franchise restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries that wrap themselves in a veneer of nondescript words like 'home-style' or 'old fashion' you actually find there is a community underneath. There are actual family restaurants where someone was taught how to make the sauce for your pasta by their mother or father, rather than opening a 10-gallon can shipped in from corporate. These same places actually understand the difference between fresh and fresh frozen.

In a world of Walmarts, Dunkin Donuts and Olive Gardens, they are becoming harder and harder to find. Once you do, an amazing discovery happens. You find that food has taste and flavor, plus there are other spices besides salt. If you've spent your whole life eating at McDonalds and Red Lobster, this probably sounds like crazy talk to you. Perhaps you've even convinced yourself the reason you like these places is because you always know that no matter where you go, it's always the same. Sure the meat and chicken don't really taste like meat and chicken, but you're used to it and it's what you expect.

Without even realizing it, they've made you lower your standards on what is acceptable. If they can do that with something as basic as food, it's a short step to getting you to accept less in everything else. They've convinced you that a box full of shit isn't a box full of shit if the box is shiny, with a cool logo and the word 'new' on it. It's the essence of advertising; convincing you to buy something you don't want or need and then making you believe it's better than it is.

If you don't think they can do this to you, stop for just a moment and look around you. There's probably an item in the very room with you that at one time you were desperate to have, but now as you look at it you can't seem to remember why. There are examples everywhere, the exercise equipment that has become a coat rack or those chunky, ugly shoes with the really thick soles. It's even more embarrassing now when you're out and see someone else wearing the stuff you just realized is crap. Your friends point and laugh and while you go along, inside you're cringing at the thought of what's in your closet.

It all starts with food. Each day those little, unique places go by the way side as corporate chains move in. Soon regular ordinary people only have the illusion of choice. The world becomes an endless string of meals at Applebees and T.G.I. Fridays. You try and tell yourself that it's at least better than McDonalds or Burger King, but there's always a small voice inside you whispering that's not good enough.

It took some searching and driving around, but Clark finally found a restaurant. It wasn't all lit up like the others and the sign wasn't massive, but it was a nice place. Diana and Clark hadn't gotten around to buying plates and silverware just yet, so instead of ordering in again, he decided to take her out.

They were dressed casually as the older hostess showed them to their table. The menus were plain white without pictures of the food, but there was a nice selection to choose from. Clark ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir as they decided what to have.

"Everything looks good,' he offered.

"Yes, I noticed that everything is seasonal," Diana remarked. "Fresh locally grown ingredients. That kind of reminds me of home.'

"How so?"

'Well, we are an island nation, Kal," Diana explained. "We raised and grow all our own food. What we eat is determined by what is in season. Different vegetables and fruits are harvested at different times of the year, so our diet is always changing."

"It seems we have something in common, Diana,' Clark replied. "That's sort of how it worked when I was growing up. My two favorite times of the year were strawberry season and corn season. We used to go out and pick the strawberries, although, I have to admit I think I ate as many as a picked."

Diana laughed at this.

"Blueberries,' she said.

"What?"

"I was like that with blueberries,' she admitted. "When I was young my mother would have a fit when I came home from the fields, my face and hands covered in juice."

"If she was anything like my mother, she wasn't amused,' he said, chuckling at the thought.

"No, she wasn't."

The waitress brought the wine and poured them both a small sample. They both took a sip and nodded. She smiled and filled their glasses.

"So are you two ready to order?"

"Diana?"

"I think I'll try the Yellowfin Tuna with Grilled Pineapple Salsa, please."

"Oh, that's a good choice," the waitress said. "The owner's father just went to Gotham this morning to pick up the order at the fish market. And for you sir?"

"How about the New York Strip with Stilton-Walnut Butter for me."

They went through the list of sides and each chose what they liked. The waitress said she would be right back with some fresh rolls and their salads. Clark and Diana sat back, sipping their wine. The image of her as a child with blueberries all over her face stuck in Clark's mind and he found himself smiling.

"What,' Diana asked.

"Blueberries, huh?'

"Yes."

"You know it's hard to image you as a rambunctious young princess getting into trouble."

"My mother and sisters would disagree,' Diana replied. This brought a chuckle from Clark. "How about you Kal? What would Mrs. Kent have to say about you growing up?"

"Me? I was an angel," he joked.

"Somehow I doubt that," Diana offered.

"Well, there were a few times, but they were never my idea,' he admitted.

"Whose were they?"

"Friends," he said. "I had one friend in high school that seemed to have a knack for getting the two of us mixed up in all sorts of things. How she didn't get herself killed, I'll never know."

"She?"

"Yes, it seems I had a weak spot for helping out female friends, especially the pretty ones," Clark mused. Clark smiled as he thought about Chloe and Lana. It was still hard to believe some of the things they got involved in back then. Then there was Lois at the Planet. She was always ready to rush in where Angels feared to tread.

Diana heard him say especially the pretty ones and blushed a little. She thought he was including her in the group. She had sort of gotten him mixed up in this bet. It surprised her how she reacted to him saying she was pretty. He'd never really said anything like that before.

Clark happened to glance over at her and noticed this. It suddenly hit him she thought he was talking about the two of them. Clark wasn't sure what to do at the moment and thankfully the waitress saved him by bringing the salads and fresh rolls. It was a baby Spinach-Jicama salad and had a very unique taste. As he began to dig in, he glanced over again to make sure she wasn't thinking he was eating like a dying man, but was happy to see she wasn't shy about eating either.

As they made their way through the salads and rolls, Clark shifted the conversation. He realized that while he knew the basic outline of Diana's life, he really didn't know many details. It seemed any talk about the Amazons usually ended up in a discussion of the horrors they had endured. He knew about that, but found himself interested in the person rather than the tribe.

Diana was hesitant at first, not really liking talking about herself, but he genuinely seemed interested. Once she started, she found herself telling him stories she hadn't thought of in years. They were fond memories of endless days swimming, riding horses and exploring with her friends. Some were silly, but he didn't make her regret telling them.

When dinner arrived, they both were impressed. The food looked delicious and they told the waitress to offer their compliments the chef. As they began to eat, they found a sort of easiness with each other. Conversation was sporadic as the food took up most of their attention. They told stories of growing up. Slowly they both realized as different as their upbringings were, there were similarities.

Clark was surprised to hear just how regular Diana's life had been. Yes, there was the military training, but there was also time for her to just be a child. While some of her playmates were magical creatures, her stories told of a young girl that was loved and cared for. Listening he began to have a different picture of her and the other Amazons. The past was always with them, but life continued.

Diana was learning more about him as well. He let her do most of the talking, but the stories he did share gave her a glimpse of what he must have been like growing up. She knew there was a deep attachment to his parents, but as he talked she understood for the first time how special that relationship was to him. They seemed to be the only people that really understood all of him. Even though he told the stories in a humorous way, she could detect a hint of sadness from Clark. It must have been so difficult for him growing up she realized. Constantly having to hide who he was and what he could do must have been so hard.

Her gifts were from her Gods, so her mother and sisters celebrated them. She never had to worry about how others would react. It explained a lot about her friend. She had always wondered why someone with his powers seemed so cautious and deliberate to the point he almost seemed reactive rather than proactive. A lifetime of having to fit in would do that, she realized. Even now, as she looked across the table at Clark, she could see the almost unconscious slump in his posture and the other little things that helped him hide in plain sight.

In a strange way it was as if she were seeing him for the first time. Perhaps she had been taken in like everyone else she realized. Superman was such an overwhelming figure, yet that was just a costume he put on now and then.

"Kal?"

"Hmm?"

"It was difficult for you growing up, wasn't it,' she asked. He set his knife and fork down and looked at her.

"How do you mean?"

"Pretending you were someone you weren't,' she said. "Never showing what you really could do."

"I guess, sometimes,' he admitted. "When I look back on it now, for the most part I'm glad things happened as they did. I got to live a normal childhood, Diana. If people had known what I could do I would have become a curiosity, a thing to be stared at and feared. There were times it was hard and I didn't understand why, but the Kents actually gave me a rare gift. They gave me the time to grow into these powers and understand who I was. They let me be normal."

"Still, it must have been difficult at times,' she said. The thought of standing watching the pretty girls rush by him in high school as if he wasn't even there came to Clark's mind.

"Yes," he softly said. "But no one gets everything they want."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry,' she began, but he raised his hand to stop her.

"Don't be sorry, Diana,' he said. "Everyone has regrets, but as you get older you realize things happen for a reason or at least it seems that way. Disappointments shapes who you are just as much as triumphs do. Jonathan Kent used to tell me that as hard as it might seem at the time, it was how you overcame those disappointments that define your character."

"He sounds like a smart man,' she said with a smile.

"Yeah," Clark admitted. "Although when I was younger I might not have agreed with you. It seems the older I get the smarter he seems."

"There was a time I thought my mother was hopelessly out of touch," Diana said with a chuckle. "I thought I knew everything and she just didn't understand. I find with each passing year, I'm having to rethink that position."

"Did our marriage help that process along any,' he teased.

"Kal, you know I didn't think she was serious,' Diana fired back.

"I was just kidding, Diana."

"I know, Kal,' she replied with a smile.

"Should I be worried that my new wife has already figured me out?"

"I guess you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"

There was a mischievous smile on Diana's face as she said this and he couldn't help teasing her just a little more.

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that, Princess."

"Kal, I warned you!"

"Yes, but you wouldn't hit your husband in public would you,' he asked in mock surprise. "What would people think?"

"Maybe not in public, but I have a very good memory,' she countered. "Just wait until we get home, Mr. Kent."

"Yes, Mrs. Kent."

They both smiled at each other, sharing this private joke. Before they could continue, the owner came over to their table to see how they were enjoying the meal. He was a jovial, heavyset man in his mid-forties. They could tell he was proud of his place and practically beamed as they offered their compliments on the meal. Clark also noticed how captivated he was by Diana and realized that was something he was going to have to get used to if he was going to be married to the most beautiful woman in the world.

They chatted with the man for several minutes. He seemed especially pleased when Diana commented on how much she had enjoyed the Jicama in the salad. He told them it was something he'd picked up living in the southwest and was surprised she recognized it. He asked them about themselves and they gave him the basic cover story about just moving to the area. He suggested if they liked music there was a small club a friend of his had just outside of town that he was sure they would enjoy. They thanked him and said they might check it out.

The owner said he hoped they would stop again and they promised they would. He moved off to talk with some of the other customers. He greeted them as old friends and both Diana and Clark smiled as they looked around the restaurant.

"This is nice," she said. "You can tell this means a lot of him and his family."

"Yes," Clark agreed. "You could see his pride in his work just by how he talked about it.'

"So what now,' Diana asked. "Should we try the place he mentioned? Listening to some live music does sound nice."

"All right, let me get the check,' Clark replied.

Cello's – Later

Clark and Diana sat at a table near the back talking. Cello's was nothing fancy, just a small out of the way bar and club. Candles flickered on each table and provided most of the light in the place. There was a good size crowd scattered around the dance floor. The band was on break, so conversation filled the air. Clark sat and watched with interested, as Diana seemed to be taking everything in. Her eyes darted from the filled bar to table to table.

"You seem fascinated,' he offered.

"I am, I've never been to a place like this," she replied.

"It's just a little hole in the wall bar, Diana."

"Yes, but it seems so relaxed and everyone is so friendly."

"Especially towards you I've noticed,' he commented. "We've only been here ten minutes and I think half the men in here have asked you to dance."

"What are you jealous, Clark,' she teased.

"No,' he said with a smile and a shake of his head. "But as you pointed out I am your husband for the time being so it seems rather inappropriate for them to be asking you right in front of me."

"Well, maybe they noticed 'my husband' hasn't asked me to dance,' she said with a challenging tone and smile. Clark took a sip off his beer and then glanced towards the bandstand. The three-piece group was just coming back on stage. He turned back to Diana.

"So Mrs. Kent, are you implying you'd like to dance?'

"Yes, Mr. Kent."

"Interesting." He tried to hold back the smile as he took another sip of his beer and looked around the bar.

"Kal!"

"Well, if you insist, I guess we could give it a try,' he said. The band was just starting and he held out his hand to her. She gave him a look, but took his hand. They stood up and joined the other couples on the dance floor. The first song was 'The Way You Look Tonight' and Clark gently took Diana in his arms. The singer had a smooth baritone voice and the trio was very good.

"So if I hadn't asked, would you have danced with someone else?"

"I might have,' she replied, as they swayed to the music.

"Really?'

"Yes."

"Well, you could have asked me, I might point out,' he said.

"I could have," she admitted.

"Well, just for the record, I'm glad you didn't dance with anyone but me."

Diana smiled at this and moved a little closer to him. As the song progressed, they gave themselves over to the music. Having Diana in his arms felt good to Clark. Holding her hand he could feel her pulse against his. With most women he was always worried about holding them too tight, but he didn't have to worry with her.

For Diana's part, she found the experience much more sensual they she expected. She had danced briefly with Bruce and several other men at diplomatic functions, but this felt different. Clark wasn't holding her particularly close, but being in his arms was having a decided effect on Diana. She moved a little closer to him so they were barely touching. Warmth seemed to spread out from where his hand gently held her lower back. The heat seemed to rise to her face, as it was such an unfamiliar sensation being so intimately close to him.

As the song continued, she found herself moving just a little closer to him, their faces only inches apart. Their bodies were touching as they moved on the dance floor. Diana found she enjoyed the feel of Clark's strong gentle arms around her. The rest of the world slipped away and it was just the two of them on the dance floor.

Clark found himself intensely aware of her as they danced. He had always noticed how breathtakingly beautiful Diana was, but being this close to her just seemed to magnify it. As he held her in his arms she seemed remarkably feminine to him. As the song ended he found his eyes drawn to her full inviting lips.

Diana was feeling the same emotions. Her eyes glanced up into his.

"Kal?"

He didn't even think about what he was doing, as slowly he moved towards her and kissed her. She seemed to hesitate for a moment and then returned it with equal passion. He had kissed a few women in his life, but this was something different.

The song ended and the other couples started to clap. Clark suddenly realized what he was doing and pulled away. Diana seemed surprised by this and just looked at him. He didn't know what to say to her. He'd been caught up in the moment and forgot. She was interested in another and he'd overstepped the bounds of friendship. He'd just made things more complicated.

"Perhaps we should call it a night, Diana,' he finally said. He stepped away from her, breaking contact. She was just as confused as he was, but the look on his face told her he thought what had happened was a mistake.

"Perhaps we should,' she replied.