The Deep Blue Sea
"White and Red"
Gotham Heights
It was late when they got back to the house. Diana was in a wonderful mood. They'd only shared a simple meal, but Kara and Martha had made her feel a part of the family. She was comfortable with them, sharing in the laughter and stories. It reminded her of the rare occasions when she spent time with just her mother and sister. If this is what married life is like, she thought, she definitely liked it.
For Clark, he was a little worse for wear, having been the focus of many of those stories. It was nice to hear the old house filled with laughter again though, he thought. Ma had seemed younger as she joined Kara in teasing him. He just hoped Diana didn't take the two of them too seriously. They had really enjoyed needling him about the 'marriage'. He was reminded of this as they entered the house. It was just an illusion, a part of a bet and would be over in less than a month.
"I like your mother,' Diana said as they walked into the living room.
""I'm glad, she seemed to like you too,' he replied.
"I could do a lot worse in a mother-in-law,' she said with a smile.
"I suppose."
"I hope you don't mind, I invited them both here to see the house."
"No, that's fine."
"Martha seemed so interested in where we are living, I wanted to make her feel welcome,' Diana said.
"Thank you, that's very considerate of you, Diana,' Clark replied.
"Perhaps she'll have more stories to tell me about when you were younger,' Diana teased.
"Yeah, she definitely seemed to enjoy embarrassing me tonight," Clark said with a sigh. "It didn't help that Kara was urging her on."
"I thought it was funny."
"That's because they weren't stories about you,' he replied.
"They weren't that bad, Kal,' Diana commented. "I thought you seemed very adorable in most of them."
"Right, adorable,' he groaned. "That's the word most men like to hear themselves described as."
Diana laughed at this.
"Well, at least I got most of the jokes this time, Kal,' she said.
"So you're making progress in the bet."
"Um, yes," she replied, suddenly remembering that what had started this. For some reason she really didn't want to think about the bet right now and changed the subject. "I'm too excited to sleep, I thought I'd have a glass of wine. Would you like to join me?"
"No, I think I'm going to turn in, Diana. It's been a long day and I've got a shift on the Watchtower in the morning. I figured I'd get there early and do some laundry. If you have anything, I'd be happy to take it with me,' he offered.
"No, someone from the Embassy is going to stop by and pick mine up,' she replied.
"Ah, the privileges of being a Prin-Ambassador,' he said, quickly changing it from Princess to Ambassador, as he didn't want to get hit. "Okay, well, I guess I'll see you in the morning then. Good night."
"Good night,' she said. "Oh, Kal, when will you be home tomorrow?"
"Hmm?"
"Well, it's our one week anniversary so I thought we could have dinner together to celebrate,' she said. "I was wondering when your shift is over?"
"The usually time, I guess,' he replied, not sure what this was about. "Unless something comes up."
"Well, should I make reservations somewhere or order in," she asked.
"Um, ah, whatever you like, Diana."
"So you'll be home about four or five?"
"I guess."
"Well, all right then, I'll make plans for dinner,' she said, smiling at him.
"Okay. Um, good night again."
"Good night, Kal."
He gave her a look and then turned and headed upstairs.
"Thank you for the driving lesson, Kal."
He stopped and turned towards her.
"Well, except for a lead foot, you picked it up rather well."
"I wasn't driving that fast."
"You keep telling yourself that, Diana. Good night."
"Night."
She watched him go up the stairs and then turned and headed into the kitchen. They still didn't have proper plates or silverware, but they had glasses and wine. Diana selected a nice Pinot Grigio and uncorked it. Pouring herself a glass, Diana slowly wandered around the kitchen and then back into the living room. She had never before understood the attachment some people had to things, but as she looked around their home she was beginning to.
Running her fingers over the fabric of the couch and chairs, a sense of satisfaction came to her. These were hers. She had picked them and arranged everything in the room just so. Diana felt the room was warm and inviting, yet modest and understated. She had been in fancier surroundings most of her life, but found this appealed to her much more. These things, they were a reflection of her and her tastes. They said this is Diana's room and home, no one else's.
Diana wished Kal hadn't gone to bed; she would have liked to talk some more. That was the thing she liked the most about this evening. Sitting with Martha and Kara, she hadn't felt like Princess Diana of Themyscira or Ambassador of the Amazons or even Wonder Woman, she was just Diana. That was a rare thing for her, to just be treated like everyone else. The two women hadn't acted differently with her, but welcomed her into the conversation. They included her in the humor and teasing, not treating her special, but as one of the family.
Diana also got to see a side of Clark she hadn't before. With Martha and Kara, he wasn't as guarded as he usually was. She liked the easy way he and Kara had, teasing each other like brother and sister. He wasn't Superman on the farm; he was just a son and for all that mattered, brother there. That he included her in it warmed Diana's heart. She found him much more attractive when he let his guard down.
Glancing at the stairway, she took a sip of her wine and thought about her situation. When her mother had first proposed marriage Diana had to admit she was shocked and a little afraid. Yes, she found herself interested in the idea of dating since she arrived in the Man's World, but marriage seemed like such an alien concept to her. She realized that was what her mother was counting on. Even though she truly believed her mother was bluffing, there was a small part of Diana that was very uneasy about the idea that she wasn't.
She'd been married a week now. Diana hadn't known what to expect, but so far she found she liked it. Living with Kal was completely different than what she imagined being married would be like. It had started as a bet, but tonight at the farm it hadn't felt like that. As she answered questions about their wedding, Diana found herself thinking about it as a real thing. There had been a moment when she looked across the table at Kal. He was teasing Kara and she was giving it back to him. Diana found herself thinking that's my husband.
It had shaken her a little and still did. The surprising thing was that it hadn't been in a bad way. She actually liked the idea. It was when Martha happened to mention Lois Lane that Diana remembered it wasn't a real marriage. They were married in name only and for just a month. That part had slipped her mind for a little while.
She realized it had been slipping her mind more and more lately. The bet that had seemed so important when this started seemed incidental now. When he'd kissed her in the nightclub it seemed to awaken something inside Diana. She always found Kal attractive, but since kissing him, she'd been thinking of him differently. The part of the marriage that was missing was on her mind a lot lately.
Diana told herself it was out of the question, he was with another, but once the thought was there, she couldn't seem to get rid of it. She had felt his passion when he kissed her and it seemed to enflame her own. Thoughts of what it might be like to be with him continued to drift through her mind. Diana found herself aroused at the sight of him. It was also gratifying to know she was having an effect on him as well. She could still remember seeing him watching her as she walked away from the pool this morning. It had sent a thrill through her known he was watching.
She was used to men looking at her with desire. It was something that happened all the time. For the most part she gave it little thought. With Kal it was different. Diana found she was very aware of it and liked it. That she could affect him on such a basic level was a little intoxicating to her. It made her feel sexy and alluring in a very feminine way. That she had the power to stir those passions within him seemed to excite passions with her.
He's spoken for she kept reminding herself, yet the other thoughts remained.
Upstairs Clark had taken a quick shower and changed into his pajamas. He wasn't usually a pajamas guy, but this situation dictated he wear them. He climbed into bed and turned off the light. As he lay there trying to sleep, he thought back on the evening. He had to admit he'd enjoyed himself. He could have done without some of the teasing, but all in all it wasn't that bad.
Ma really seemed to be taken by Diana, he thought. Who wouldn't be? She's warm, generous, beautiful… let's stop right there, he told himself. This is a bet, that's all. Nothing good can come from that line of thinking. It would be so easy though, Clark thought. There were moments at the farm when he almost forgot it was just an illusion, that Diana wasn't his wife.
Seeing her laughing and chatting away with Ma and Kara it almost seemed real to him. He knew it wasn't however. She was interested in another. Yes, the situation made things complicated and confusing, but that only meant he needed to be more cautious. There was Lois to consider, as well. Their relationship was difficult enough, without adding anything to it. He knew she wanted more from him, but he didn't know if he could give Lois what she wanted. Lately it seemed something was always keeping them apart.
He was a man that honored his promises. By starting a relationship with Lois he'd made an unspoken promise to her. He couldn't let this unusual situation and the feelings it had stirred up make him forget that. He'd also made a promise to Hippolyta. Given her history with men, it meant so much more that she would accept his promise. He wanted to make sure he honored her trust in him.
Clark rolled over on his side and closed his eyes. Let's not make things more complicated then they all ready are. Just get through this month, he thought.
Downstairs Diana had poured herself another glass of wine. She wasn't tired at all, still keyed up from everything that had happened. She thought about taking a swim, but that didn't appeal to her. It was then she remembered the book. Digging through her bag, she pulled it out. She curled up on the couch, glass of wine next to her on the end table and opened it.
Prefect Castor sat deep in the back of his government car as the rain began. The windows were bulletproof, but there was no reason to tempted the snipers. No one was even sure which side they were on anymore. The Capital sat on the coast, but mountains hemmed in the city on the other three sides. The snipers sat up there and fired any anyone unfortunate enough to be out in the open. It had become just another part of daily life the citizens had to deal with.
His car eased down the main avenue and he could see the once glittering buildings of the Capital. The first years of the war had changed everything. None of the buildings were untouched by the fighting. Once this had been a jewel of Europe, now it was a bombed out shell of its former glory.
His car turned off the main thoroughfare and started under the omnipresent canopies. It was the people's desperate response to the snipers. Every road that was vulnerable to them was covered with everything from bits of cloth to rags, sewn together. They sagged under the rain. It was a claustrophobic other world they drove through. Twisting and turning, the driver navigated the back streets as only someone that had been in the Capital the last few years could.
There had been a murder.
That in itself wasn't unusual. People died everyday. This was not a normal murder though.
A sharp turn and they emerged from the world of cloth and rags. They were by the sea, shielded from the snipers. This is where the markets and refugee camps lie. Even in war, commerce and life go on. Castor's car pulled up and he slowly got out. The cold rain chilled his bones and he pulled his coat tighter around him. He could feel all the eyes of the citizens and refugees on him as he made his way towards the crime scene.
A sergeant Booker stood waiting for him, eager to impress, no doubt.
"Friend-Prefect,' the sergeant immediately said.
"Friend-Sergeant."
"My apologies for bringing you out in this weather, but we were told to report anything like this directly to your office,' the sergeant explained. Castor waved him off as he took his first looked at the crime scene. There was a small body at the bottom of a bomb crater. The rain hadn't been able to wash away all the blood yet.
"That's the victim,' Booker remarked, pointing to the young girl in the crater.
"She looks so young,' Castor absently commented. "Innocent."
"She's a prostitute," Booker said. "We put her age at thirteen or fourteen."
"She's someone's child, Sergeant."
"No one's come forward to claim her, Friend-Prefect."
"Still, let's try and remember it, even if no one else does,' Castor replied. He slowly made his way down into the crater, the muddy sides giving way under his feet. A tarpaulin had been hastily thrown over her, but with the wind and rain it had slipped off. Her eyes were open, but they had the dead look of doll's eyes. Castor bent down to get a better look at her. He could see the front of her dress was soaked with blood. Her neck had been slashed twice, which had cut through her windpipe and esophagus. It if was like the last one, there would be more wounds underneath her clothes. It was a grisly bit of work that had been done to her.
"Has the medical examiner been here yet,' he called to Booker.
"No, they are on their way."
"How many people have been done here?"
"The two that found her and several security personal, Friend-Prefect," Booker replied.
"Whose idea was it to put the tarp over her?"
"The ones that found her," Booker said. "Out of respect or some such nonsense."
"Have you conducted any interviews?"
"Yes, my men have several suspects. We're taking them in for further questioning."
Castor knew by further questioning, Booker meant they were going to beat a confession out of someone. He was the type of official that could work for any government. It didn't matter what the politics, they always needed men that didn't mind getting their hands dirty. Before Castor could say anything, the sound of a siren was heard. He knew immediately who it was, the loyalist security forces. He slowly made his way up the side of the crater, as the sound grew nearer.
Before the war, they were the secret police, but in the new reality of the shared Capital they proved their usefulness to the Loyalist government just as they had before the war. The long black automobile pulled up in front of Castor's government car and effectively blocked him in. Two flags of the former monarchy sat on the front bumpers. The driver quickly got out and opened an umbrella. He stood at attention by the back door. All eyes were on the door as a dramatic pause came and then it opened. Field Marshall Volkes stepped out.
Murmurs and whispers of fear when through the crowd at the sight of him. Before the war he made his reputation as one of the more vicious dogs of the ruling class. No he served them as security chief in the shared government.
The fighting between the White and the Red continued outside the Capital, but inside it was a different kind of warfare. It was hearts and minds they were fighting for. After years of war, the people just wanted to be safe and would follow anyone that could promise that. Killings like this one upset the balance.
Volkes smiled as he saw Prefect Castor.
"Friend Castor, how good to see you still take an interest in your job,' Volkes said.
"I wasn't aware you've switched sides, Field Marshal," Castor replied. "Calling another friend is our way of signifying we are friends of the revolution."
"I on the other hand, just find it amusing, Castor,' Volkes offered.
"So what brings the head of the secret police here,' Castor asked. "I would think you have enough to do making so many people disappear."
The smile slipped from Volkes face.
"I am the head of the Loyalist Security forces, Prefect," Volkes said, his voice like ice. "These murders have upset the people and will not be tolerated. The true leaders of our nation want the people to know this will not stand."
"This is under my jurisdiction, Field Marshal,' Castor said. "It's clearly stated in the compromise that we of the Revolution are in charge of security."
Volkes smiled again as he walked over the crater and looked in.
"Yes, I can see how well you are doing, too."
"We all ready have some suspects,' Castor said to quickly.
""Then you and the people have nothing to worry about, do you,' Volkes replied. "Let's hope you are able to put an end to these grisly murders."
"We will."
The sound of the ambulance made them both turn. The worn out looking attendants climbed out with their gurney had made their way down into the crater. As they hauled the body up Castor turned to Sergeant Booker.
"I will accompany them to the morgue, 'he said. "Continue the investigation here."
"As you wish, Friend Castor."
Castor nodded and headed towards the waiting ambulance. Field Marshall Volkes called after him.
"Good luck, Prefect!"
Castor didn't reply and climbed into the waiting vehicle.
The sound the grandfather clock striking the hour caught Diana by surprise. She hadn't realized that two hours had slipped by. Her empty glass sat next to her. Reluctantly she set the book down and decided to turn in for the night. She picked up her glass and took it into the kitchen and washed it. She turned off the lights and locked the doors before heading upstairs.
Silently she opened the bedroom door and saw Clark under the covers. He must be asleep she thought. Picking up her nightgown, Diana went into the bathroom to change. She brushed her teeth and folded her clothes. Turning off the light she opened the door and stood there as her eyes adjusted.
She could see Clark lying on his side and a smile came to her lips. He looked so peaceful. Tiptoeing over to her side of the bed, Diana quietly pulled the covers down and climbed in next to him. She could feel the warmth of his body next to her and there was something comforting about it. She moved a little closer to him, nestling down into the bed. Diana was on her side facing him, as she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Gotham
Alfred was just putting the finishing touches of Master Bruce's wake up tray when the front door bell rang. Effortlessly he made his way through the mansion and opened the door. Zatanna was standing there smiling at him.
"Hello Alfred, how are you doing today,' she said as she walked by him into the mansion.
"Fine, Miss Zatara,' he replied. "I'm afraid Master Bruce isn't up yet."
"That's okay, I don't mind waking him up."
"Did he know you were coming today, Miss Zatara,' Alfred asked.
"No, I was just sitting in my hotel room with nothing to do, so I thought I'd come over and get him to take me to lunch,' she replied.
"Master Bruce doesn't like surprises, Miss Zatara."
She turned and smiled at Alfred.
"I know, that's what makes it even more fun. Look, Alfred, by the amazing smell of coffee coming from the kitchen I'm guessing you were just going to wake him up anyway,' she said. "How about you let me do it?"
"Um, Master Bruce really isn't much of a morning person, Miss Zatara,' Alfred offered.
"Alfred, I've known you since Bruce and I were kids, so I'll take all the responsibility,' she countered. "I'll just say you tried to stop me, but I forced you. Besides, won't it do him some good to be seen out with someone around town?"
"It wouldn't hurt your upcoming shows to get in the newspapers columns either,' Alfred offered with a smile.
"I'm shocked, shocked Alfred, you would think that of me,' she said feinting outrage.
"As you said, Miss Zatara, I've known you a long time."
"Good, so we're in agreement!'
Bruce Wayne's bedroom was pitch black, the curtains pulled tight to shut out the daylight. He didn't move a muscle as the door opened and someone entered. He could smell the coffee and assumed it was Alfred. His first hint it wasn't Alfred was when the curtains were thrown open.
"Close those curtains, damn it,' he growled.
"No."
The voice was all wrong, he thought through his sleepy haze. When the second curtain was thrown back, he winced and glanced up from the pillow.
"Zee?"
"Good morning, or should I say good afternoon, Bruce."
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"You're taking me out to lunch."
"I am?"
"Um-hum, coffee,' she replied, munching on a piece of bacon from the tray Alfred made.
"Ah, yeah, coffee, please,' he groaned. Shielding his eyes from the sunlight, he reluctantly sat up on the side of the bed. His body still hurt from the previous nights activities. He accepted the cup of coffee when she waved it under his nose. It took two sips before he even attempted to look at her.
"Is that my breakfast you're eating?"
"Yes,' she replied, taking another bite of the bacon. "Oh, Bruce, you might want to pull those PJs up a bit unless you were trying to give me a free show."
He quickly pulled the covers over his lap.
"Thank you," she said with a laugh.
"What the hell are you doing here again?"
"You're taking me to lunch."
"When exactly did I agree to that,' he asked.
"You didn't, I just decided this morning,' she replied.
"Don't I get any say in it?"
"No, you'd say no,' she offered. "Besides, you owe me."
"How do I owe you?"
"I'm doing you a favor, so now you can do me one."
"What time is it?"
"Almost twelve fifteen."
"You know I had a really late night, Zee,' he said. She nodded and continued to eat the food Alfred prepared.
"You always have a late night, Bruce, you should be used to it,' she countered. "You know, Alfred's a really good cook."
"Yes, I usually look forward to eating what he's made when I do get up,' he replied.
"I can see why, it's delicious."
"I'm sure he'll be pleased,' he said with a snide tone.
"So are you going to take a shower,' she asked. "It's a little gamey in here. Don't you clean up before you get in bed?"
"What the hell are you doing here again,' he asked, some of his irritation slipping through.
"Lunch, Bruce, you're taking me to lunch,' she said in a loud voice. "Now go get a shower so we can go!"
"What if I don't want to take you to lunch? Did you ever think of that,' he asked.
"No, you want to, you just don't want to admit it,' she replied.
He sat there and watched as she finished the bacon and started on the toast.
"You're not going to leave me anything, are you?"
"Nope."
"I guess I'd better take a shower then, if I want to get anything to eat."
She just smiled as he wrapped the sheet around him and headed into the bathroom.
The Watchtower
Clark had just come back from a mission helping with a forest fire and was just sitting down in the cafeteria to have a cup of coffee when Wally, Shayera and Mari came over and sat down with him. This was a little out of the ordinary, but he didn't mind.
"So how's it going, Supes,' Wally asked.
"Okay, how about yourself?"
"Good, good."
"How's married life,' Mari asked with a smile.
"Interesting."
"Have you seen her naked yet," Wally excitedly asked.
"Wally!" Both Shayera and Mari gasped.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Wally, no, I haven't,' Clark calmly replied.
"I can't believe you asked that,' Shayera said.
'What? We were all wondering,' he said in his defense.
"I wasn't, " Shayera replied.
"I was wondering a little bit,' Mari admitted.
"See! I mean come on, he's married to Wonder Woman and they are living together,' Wally continued. "This is like their honeymoon."
"It's actually not like that, Wally,' Clark said. "The marriage is just because of the bet, that's all. Diana's mother made it very clear her views on the subject."
"Did she threat you with a big knife?"
"Not with a knife, more of a sword really."
"Ouch,' Wally cringed.
"Still, you are sleeping together, aren't you,' Mari asked. "I mean we were there when Diana bought the furniture for your house. We all noticed she only bought one bed."
"One big bed,' Shayera added.
"Yes, but we're only sleeping in that big bed,' Clark countered.
"So let me get this straight, you're in bed with Diana, Wonder Woman,' Wally asked. "What's she wearing, by the way?"
"None of your business."
"I'm just going to have to imagine something from Victoria Secret then,' Wally replied. "So there she is, Wonder Woman in next to nothing, in the bed with you and you're trying to tell us nothing happens?"
"Yep," Clark said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Wow, you really are an alien. What the hell planet are you from again,' Wally asked.
"Wally,' Shayera shouted, giving him a smack on the back of the head.
"Well, he does kind of have a point, Shayera,' Mari spoke up. "I mean its Diana."
"So?"
"Have you seen her? I don't even go that way and I'd be tempted."
"Just how tempted,' Wally asked with a grin. This got him a smack from Mari.
"You brought it up, " he grumbled as he rubbed his shoulder.
"Look, we are only doing this, so Diana can win the bet, that's all,' Clark stated. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but nothing's happened and nothing's going to happen."
"Nothing?" Wally just couldn't seem to get his head around the idea.
"Nothing."
"So did your planet blow up from sexual tension, is that it,' Wally asked.
Clark rolled his eyes at this and was about to reply when Jonn came over to the table.
"Superman, could I have a word with you?"
"Of course, Jonn."
"I know your shift is almost over, but we just received a request for our help from Doctors without Borders,' Jonn explained. "It seems two of their doctors have gone missing in some of the disputed territories in Africa and they were hoping we could help find them."
"I'd be happy to help, Jonn, they do good work,' Clark replied.
"I'll lend a hand if you need me," Wally said.
"Me too," Shayera added.
"Yes, count me in,' Mari said.
"Thank you all,' Jonn said with a smile. "Because of the region involved they are very worried about their people."
"Say no more, we are on it,' Clark said and then they all were out of their seats and heading towards the transporters.
Gotham Heights – Later
Diana had put in a full day. She'd been awakened by the sound of lawn mowers early this morning. Clark was already gone, so she got up and started her day. She showered and dressed, and then contacted the Embassy to see what matters needed attention. She put in several solid hours going over proposals and requests, along with catching up on all the paperwork. One of her staff members arrived around lunchtime and dropped off more clothes for her, while picking up her things that needed cleaning.
As she ate a light lunch of fruit, the sound of those lawn mowers continued. Diana went to the window and looked out. Up and down the street, people were out cutting their lawns. As she stood there, she glanced at her own lawn and the idea that it could use cutting came to her. There was a push mower in the garage and it seemed easy enough to work. Deciding to get into the spirit of the neighborhood, Diana would cut their lawn.
She changed into a pair of shorts and borrowed one of Clark's undershirts to wear. She put on some tennis shoes and went out to take care of the lawn. She started with the front lawn and noticed quite a few of her neighbors were outside watching her. She smiled and waved and they all returned her greeting. It really was a friendly neighborhood she thought, all the neighbors were outside. It was almost as if a crowd was gathering to watch her cut her grass.
Just as she was finishing the front, the paperboy collided with a mailbox. Diana helped him up and reminded him to be careful and watch where he was going. He just smiled at her the whole time and nodded. He must be shy, she thought. She moved on the side and backyard, meeting more neighbors as she did. As she was finishing, LuAnn came walking over.
"Hello Diana,' LuAnn called out.
"Hello."
"Is Clark here?"
"No."
"Oh, that's too bad,' LuAnn said in disappointment. Something about the smaller woman annoyed Diana, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
"Well, anyway,' LuAnn said. "I just came over to invite you both to a barbeque this weekend. Cubby and I are having it and we are inviting some of the people from the neighborhood. I thought since you're new, it would be a nice way for everyone to get to know you."
"Thank you, LuAnn, that's very generous of you,' Diana replied.
"Oh, no problem,' LuAnn said. "I hope Clark, I mean, you and Clark can make it."
"We will let you know,' Diana offered with a fake smile.
"All right, don't forget to tell Clark I said hello and hope he can come,' LuAnn said as she headed back towards her house. Diana just waved and headed back inside. She noticed the crowd of neighbors seemed to break up as she was entering the house. She guessed they were finished with their lawns as well.
After showering and changing her clothes, she checked the clock and saw she still had time before Clark got back. With nothing really important to do, she decided to read a little more.
Prefect Castor stood outside the morgue waiting to talk to the medical examiner. It had been a few hours since they brought the body in and he was eager to learn all the details. The door to the morgue finally opened and a tired looking older man waved him inside.
Castor stood a few feet away as the man pulled a cover over the body.
"All right, Prefect Castor, I know you have questions,' the coroner said. "We might as well get on with it.
"Thank you Friend-Silas,' Castor started, but the coroner cut him off.
"I'm not part of the Revolution, Prefect."
"You're with the White then,' Castor asked.
"No, I'm with no one, Prefect, "Silas explained. "I grew tired of politics years ago. Now I'm just a civil servant doing his job. I leave the politics and the fighting to the rest of you."
"Fair enough," Castor said. "What can you tell me about the victim?"
"Name unknown,' Silas began. "My guess is thirteen at the most, five two, eighty-seven pounds. Most likely a prostitute."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, there are physical indications of it. It's not uncommon, really,' Silas explained. "The refugees arrive in the Capital, many times with nothing other than what is on their backs. Desperate people do desperate things to survive. The young are no different."
"And how did she die?"
"Her throat was cut, twice. They were dead cuts and the cause of her death. When I began my examination I discovered that her abdomen had been wounded and mutilated as well."
"Is it like the one before, Castor asked.
"Yes, only this one is worse,' Silas replied. "The killer cut open her stomach and pulled out her lower intestines. Why, I haven't the faintest clue."
"So you believe this is the work of the same person?"
"Undoubtedly,' Silas said. "The cuts are made with the same blade and the precision of the wounds are the same."
"The precision of the wounds, what do you mean?"
"Whoever did this knew what they were doing, Prefect. In both cases the first cut to the throat was fatal. The mutilation of the body is similar as well."
"So I have a double murderer on my hands,' Castor lamented.
"I believe you have something worse, Prefect."
"How could it be worse?"
"Whoever did this, I believe liked it,' Silas explained. "They will not stop."
"So we have a serial killer on our hands,' Castor groaned.
"Yes, and if the first two victims show any pattern it will get much worse."
"A monster,' Castor whispered. What could make someone what to do something like this?"
"We're at war, Prefect and have been for several years, " Silas sadly explained. "War unleashes the darkest natures in men. Once the rules on killing are broken, all the other evils come spilling out."
The sound of the front door opening pulled Diana from the book. She looked up to see Clark walk in. She glanced at the clock and saw he was late.
"Hello, Kal."
"Hi."
Setting the book down, Diana stood up as he entered the room. There was something different about him, a distance.
"I didn't know what you wanted to do about dinner so I waited,' she said.
"I don't care, whatever you'd like,' he softly replied.
"How about take out,' she asked.
"Fine."
"Is something wrong, Kal?"
"No, just tired,' he replied. "I think I'll take a shower if you don't mind."
"No, that's fine. I'll order dinner."
"Okay."
Diana watched him walk up the stairs and knew something was wrong. There was a sadness that seemed to linger all around him. She had never seen him like this before and wondered what could have caused it. She ordered dinner, but her mind was on him the whole time.
Fifteen minutes later the doorbell rang. As Diana went to answer it, Clark was coming down the stairs. She paid for the food and tipped the nice boy that delivered it.
"Just in time for dinner, " she said to Clark.
"I'll get the plates and napkins,' he offered.
They sat at the dining table and started the meal, but the longer she was with him the more she knew something was wrong. He tried to reassure her it was nothing, but she wasn't fooled.
"Kal?"
"Hmm?"
"What happened,' she asked. "You can tell me."
"Just a mission, Diana."
"Tell me, Kal."
He looked up from his food at her and saw the concern on her face. Normally, in the past he would just play it off, not wanting to worry anyone else with his problems. Martha and Jonathan Kent, Lana, Lois, they all had enough problems without worrying about him too. The horrors he saw as Superman he kept to himself. As he looked at Diana he realized she was different. She'd seen the same sort of things he had. Maybe this once he could actually talk about it with someone else.
"Tell me, Kal,' she repeated.
"When I was in junior high we read the Diary of Anne Frank, Diana,' he began. 'I remember reading for the first time her famous quote, 'Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.' I remember thinking how could she believe that with everything that was happening around her? It stuck with me, though. When I became Superman I found I wanted to believe that too. I know it made me seem naïve or a Boy Scout, but I felt if it was true than it made all the work worthwhile."
"What happened today,' she asked. She reached out and took his hand to encourage him to talk to her.
"It was a mission,' he said. "It wasn't a big thing, just two doctors from Doctors Without Borders had gone missing and they asked for our help in finding them. It's the kind of thing we all want to help with."
"I know."
"They were in a rather dangerous area, but they weren't there taking sides, they were there trying to help,' he continued. "It took about a half hour, but I found them. They were dead, shot."
"Oh, Kal, I'm so sorry,' Diana offered.
"Thank you, but that wasn't it, Diana,' he replied. "People die everyday and even I can't change that. It's just that when I found them, the people in the small village they were trying to help were dragging their burned bodies through the streets, laughing. I was so angry I wanted to shout at them and ask what they thought they were doing, but I could see they didn't care about those two doctors."
He looked at her and she could see the sorrow in his eyes.
"That isn't the first time I've seen something like that, Diana. I've seen horrors like that repeated all over the globe. Maybe if Anne Frank had known what was going to happen to her and her family, she would have thought differently. I find myself wondering if maybe people really aren't good at heart. Maybe it's just pretty illusion we all like to believe in and the truth is much darker."
"I don't believe that, Kal and neither should you,' Diana said to him. "Yes, people can do monstrous things. That evil tends to blind us to the everyday, ordinary goodness that's all around us. Since I've been in the Man's World, I've seen it first hand. It's not just heroes, either, Kal. I've read The Diary of Anne Frank too. She wrote that in silence, while evil loudly marched all around her. I believe she was right. That evil was vanquished and her message endures."
They sat there silently for a long time. He let her words sink in.