Stardust Memories

"The Memory of Love's Refrain"

Gotham Heights

The sound of laughter could almost still be heard echoing through the house. Dinner had been tense at first, but as the night went on everyone began to relax a bit. After dinner and of course cleaning everything up, the four of them moved into the living room. A bottle of wine was opened and then another. The topic of conversation turned to one the Queen and General were more than willing to participate in. Clark enjoyed it too. Diana not quite as much, as the topic was stories about her growing up.

Clark didn't talk too much, only when it seemed they needed encouraging. Mostly he sat back either smiling or laughing. The Queen and General were laughing as well and eventually even Diana joined in. The story telling session wrapped up a little after midnight. Clark and Diana insisted Hippolyta and Phillipus take the bedroom and then would sleep on separate couches in different rooms.

Hippolyta was willing to allow them to continue this 'bet' and even share a bedroom in the abstract, but she wasn't quite ready for them to do it under the same roof she was under. Sensing she was softening just a bit towards him, Clark quickly agreed.

The two older women said good night and headed up. As soon as they were upstairs, Diana began to clean up. Clark was going to make a joke about it, but he'd begun to notice how much care she took with the items she had picked out and purchased. They seemed to hold a special value for her, so he wisely kept quiet and helped.

As Diana poured them a glasses of wine from the last bottle of the night, Clark moved over to the CD player. He had many of the latest CDs and Kara had been sure to load his laptop with what she called the 'bleeding edge' music of the day, but he wasn't in the mood for that tonight. Growing up with older parents than most, the music that played in Clark's house wasn't music of the day, but the music of yesteryear. He had fond memories of Martha putting on Billie Holiday or Frank Sinatra records and then Jonathan coming in and taking her in his arms. The two of them would dance around the living room and kitchen in their own little world.

Music has a way of doing that, bringing bits of memory back. A song can come on and in your mind it conjures up a very specific place and time. The song Eleanor Rigby might come on the radio and sudden your mind flashes back to walking alone across a college campus back to your dorm. It's raining and the song is coming from an open window. You can almost smell the dampness of your jacket or the way the song echoes off the builds. The memory of how all around you are people, yet that moment is only yours.

He put on Louis Armstrong, one of Jonathon Kent's favorites. The first song was a duet called "Stars Fell On Alabama" and it brought back the first time he'd kissed Lana in the barn. He'd been looking through the telescope, for once at the stars, when she came in and walked up the stairs. She'd done it a thousand times before so nothing seemed different. The lights were low so he could see the stars better. He remembered being very aware of her standing close to him. From the house the song drifted out into the night. She asked to take a look and he stepped back. She slipped in front of him, their bodies pressed against each other. He could feel her trembling and his pulse was racing. She turned and looked into his eyes and then their lips met.

It was a very tentative, clumsy kiss, but he remembered thinking it was the best kiss in the history of the world. He silently chuckled to himself as that much more innocent time was so clear in his memory. He turned as Diana came back into the living room carrying the two glasses of wine.

"This is nice,' she said with a smile.

"Louis Armstrong, he was one of my dad's favorites."

They moved over and sat down on the couch. Diana noticed him glance as her, so she sighed and moved a little further away. Not quite four feet, but not two, so he didn't complain. He leaned back and started to put his bare feet up on the coffee table, but could feel her eyes on him. He put them back on the floor.

"Sorry."

"Thank you."

They sat for a moment listening to the music. Diana pulled her legs up and tucked them under her, as she sipped her wine and closed her eyes. He glanced over and thought she looked as relaxed as he'd probably ever seen her. The thought that she looked even more beautiful then usual entered his mind, but he pushed it away.

"It was nice having your mother and 'aunt' over,' he teased. "We should definitely do it again."

"You just liked it cause they told all those embarrassing stories about me,' she replied.

"Well, it did seem only fair after what I had to put up with at the farm."

"Your mother's stories weren't nearly as embarrassing as mine,' Diana said. "Plus Phillipus seemed to take a special delight in telling of my youthful misdeeds."

"I thought you were quite adorable in all of them,' he offered.

"Oh, shut up."

He laughed and she couldn't help joining him.

"You know, you didn't need to encourage them,' she said.

"I figured as long as they were enjoying themselves they would be less likely to start pulling swords on me," Clark replied. "Always want to be on the mother-in-law's good side."

"You're not funny,' she said, turning a little away from him.

"You're just mad because I got to call you Princess all night and you didn't get to hit me."

"I kept count,' she replied, giving him a big smile.

"I'll bet you did."

It was her turn to laugh.

"I was nice having them here,' she admitted. "It's been a long time since we spent an evening together like this. It's one of the things you miss when your mother's a Queen and you are a Princess."

"Well she did manage to tuck you in every night and what was the story you always made her tell you,' Clark teased.

"If you tell anyone about that, Kal, my mother won't be the one you have to worry about pulling a sword,' she replied.

"We're only married a week and already you're threatening me," he said in mock outrage. "I wish I'd have known about this side of you before the wedding."

"Why, so you could tunnel your way out of it,' she asked.

"That was a perfectly good plan,' he said in defense.

"Of course it was," she teased back. "It's just what every bride wants to hear from her future husband on their wedding day. I noticed you left that detail out when you told everyone."

"I just hit the highlights,' he offered.

"You keep telling yourself that Kal."

"I went through with it, didn't it,' he asked.

"You weren't exactly the most enthusiastic groom."

"Look who's talking,' he countered. "I believe deer in the headlights would best describe your expression."

"The only one smiling was mother,' she admitted.

"Well, the next time you get married it will be better."

"The next time?"

"Well, everything's easier the second time, Diana, it's like that story the General told about you getting it in your mind you would capture a wild bore."

"I was eight, Kal,' Diana grumbled. "I can't believe she told you that. I thought it was our secret. She had to give you ever detail of it, didn't she?"

"Well, I'm sort of used to that being around women so much,' he replied.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Well, men and women are different, Diana,' he explained.

"You're not going to tell me about the Birds and the Bees, are you Kal,' Diana asked. "Mother already tried that earlier tonight."

"She told you about the Birds and the Bees," he said. "Why?"

"Because of the one bed and she thought we were, well, you know,' Diana said, suddenly embarrassed at admitting that.

'You made it clear that's not happening, didn't you,' he quickly asked. "Do I need to keep one eye open tonight for a sneak attack?"

"Yes, Kal, you're safe, I told her I already knew about all that and we weren't, well, you know,' Diana replied.

"Oh, she must have loved that," Clark groaned. "Hearing her innocent daughter isn't quite so innocent."

"Well, you didn't have to say it like that,' Diana replied, not liking how it sounded. "I'm a healthy adult woman just like anyone else. Just because I know about it and have given it some thought, doesn't make me a harlot."

"I would never suggest it did,' he quickly offered. He looked at her for a moment, as something she said caught his attention. "So you thought about it?"

"I'm not talking about this with you, Kal,' Diana firmly replied.

"Why not? If you can't tell your husband, who can you tell,' he joked.

"Keep it up, Kal, I think I'd look good as a widow,' Diana fired back.

"Wow, that's a little harsh, isn't it," he asked.

"Well, what about you, Kal," Diana said, turning the table on him. The song changed to Stardust Memories.

"What-What about me?"

"Well, from everything I've heard, men think about it all the time,' Diana said with a smile. "So are you thinking about it, Kal?"

"Those are human standards, Diana," he offered, a little uncomfortable with the turn in the conversation.

"You grew up on Earth,' she countered, enjoying watching him squirm instead of her. "I noticed you didn't answer the question, Kal? Do you?"

"I'm really not comfortable having this discussion, Diana."

"Why not? You seemed interested when it was me being asked the question."

"Which you didn't answer, either, I might point out,' he quickly said.

"You're still evading the question, Kal,' Diana replied with a smile. She even moved a little closer to him to add to his unease. He of course noticed this. He leaned back and crossed his arms in front of him. "I'm just going to sit here and listen to the music, if you don't mind."

"Still evading, Kal."

"Shh, Diana, I really like this song,' he said.

A big smile came to her lips as she sat back and took a sip of her wine.

"So if that wasn't what you were talking about when you said men and women are different, what were you talking about, Kal,' Diana asked.

"You're not going to let me sit here and listen in silent, are you?"

"No."

"I didn't think so,' he said with a sigh. "All right, I just meant that being around all women as I have for the most part lately, I've noticed differences."

He held up his hand before she could reply.

"I'm not talking about sex, Diana, so get your mind out of the gutter," he continued. "I was talking about little things, basic differences you don't normally notice."

"Such as?"

"How they tell a story,' he offered. "Women tell stories differently then men do."

"No they don't."

"Yes, they do,' he said in disagreement. "If a group of guys are sitting around talking, there's a whole different rhythm to how they tell stories then women do. If a guy is telling a story, it goes sort of like this, Question: Interest? Result, Details. Women on the other hand tell a story like this, Question, Details, Result. Guys want instant gratification. Women are all about the details not the outcome."

"That's not true, you're making it up,' Diana protested. "I've listened to men talk and don't see any difference."

"Okay, next time you're around a group of men and women, tell them about a problem you're having,' he explained. "The women will commiserate with you and offer support, while the guys will offer solutions."

"So are you saying the men's way is better,' she asked.

"No, that's not what I'm saying, Diana,' Clark replied with a shake of his head. "I work as a reporter most of the time, so observation is important to my work. Because of that you notice little differences in people and the way they approach the world. Another example is sports. For men, talking about sports is like a social lubricant with other guys. You can barely know the guy, but if you have to talk to him, you can always fall back on talking about the game last week."

"Women talk about sports,' Diana offered.

"Not as much or in the same way guys do,' he replied. "Think about it, we been living together for over a week and the subject of sports has never come up. Put two guys in a room for a couple of hours and sooner or later one of them is going to say something like "that Lebron James is a helluva player, isn't he?"

Diana sat there just looking at him for a long moment, with a perplexed expression on her face. Suddenly her eyes narrowed and her mouth pulled into a tight line.

'You just made that all up so you wouldn't have to answer my question, did you?"

He gave her his most innocent smile.

"More wine?"

Gotham

Bruce Wayne had a sense of humor. Most people that knew him as Batman would never believe this, but he did. It just took the right person to bring it out. One of those people was Zatanna.

He knew that after she parted ways with Constantine, she had eventually gone back to the theater to make sure everything with her act was working and ready. He also knew this meant she would run through her act at least three times before she was satisfied. Doing the calculations in his head, he added up the time between her leaving Constantine at the elevator, changing her clothes, which she loved to do more than any woman Bruce knew, and then making her way to the theater. Give or take a few minutes, he knew how long her act took. Multiply it by three and add at least another hour and a half for set up and reworking certain tricks, Bruce calculated she arrived back at the hotel very late.

She would be sleeping in. He wasn't going to let her do that. If she could come to the mansion and invade his morning, well then that gave him the right to return the favor. He'd set his alarm especially to wake up earlier than usual. He showered, dressed and drove the ten point two miles to her hotel. He had a smile on his face as he walked through the lobby and waved at the manager. No one stopped him he was Bruce Wayne.

Moments later, he was standing in front of her door. For once he knocked, but there was no answer. He hadn't really expected one. The hotel room lock was childishly simple and he was inside in moments. The room was pitch dark, all the heavy drapes pulled tight to shut out the early afternoon light. For a man that spent most of his time in the darkness, this didn't pose a problem.

Silently he moved into the bedroom suite and stopped at the foot of her bed. Zatanna had the covers and sheets haphazardly thrown about, as she lay sprawled out under them. She had a sleep mask on, but it was askew too. His smile got just a little bigger. Bruce knew exactly which window to start with. With a flourish, he yanked open the drapes bathing her in sunlight.

"What the hell!" she screamed, fumbled to get her mask back into place. "I put out the Do Not Disturb sign for a reason, I don't need housekeeping! Close the drapes!"

"No."

"What,' she groggily said, pushing the mask up and groaning. It took a moment, but she finally made out who was in her room. "Bruce?"

"Morning or should I say, Good afternoon," he cheerfully said.

"What the hell are you doing here? Close the drapes, I'm blind!"

"Nope,' he replied, pulling open the next set of drapes and flooding the room with light.

She gave a scream and pulled the covers over her head like a vampire avoiding the light.

"Bruce! This isn't funny, I had a really late night!"

"Oh, you're a performer, Zee, you should be used to it by now,' he countered.

"What are you doing here?"

"You're taking me to lunch."

Slowly the covers moved down to reveal a very unhappy and angry Zatanna.

"What did you say,' she asked, her voice almost a rasp.

"I said you're taking me to lunch, Zee,' he repeated.

"You think you're funny, don't you?"

"No, just hungry, so why don't you get up so we can go?"

"Elohssa! I'm not taking you to lunch, now get out!"

"Oh, yes you are and thanks for the free show, but you might want to pull that sheet up a bit."

Zatanna squealed and pulled the covers up to her neck. He chuckled and that didn't improve her mood.

"I could hurt you, bad,' she growled. 'I know things, dark, horrible magic things."

"Yes, yes, I'm sure you do,' he said, checking his watch. "Look I made reservations at my favorite restaurant so you're going to have to get moving if we're going to make it."

"For the last time, I'm not taking you to lunch, so get out!"

"Not a morning person, huh," he said, moving closer to her. Bruce leaned down and smiled. "Yes, Zee, you are taking me to lunch, you owe me."

"What? How do I owe you,' she exclaimed.

"You got two free meals at the mansion, so I'm here to collect,' he replied. "Look, I'll order some coffee sent up while you shower."

He glanced around to see the haphazard way all her things were all over the hotel room.

"Not exactly a neat freak, are we?"

"Shut up!"

"I'll just call from the other room while you get ready,' he said to her. Bruce flashed a smile and then walked out of the room. Zatanna grumbled and moaned, before flopping back in the bed and pulling the covers over her.

""I don't hear any water running," Bruce called from the other room.

"I hate you, Bruce Wayne!"

"No you don't."

She screamed in frustration, but tossed off the covers and stomped into the bathroom.

Gotham Heights

The barbeque was in full swing as Diana, Clark, Hippolyta and Phillipus walked into the backyard.

"It certainly smells good, "the General offered.

"Clark!"

They all turned to see LuAnn and Cubby coming towards them.

"Oh, this one again,' Diana grumbled under her breath.

"My thoughts exactly," Hippolyta replied.

"Let's not have any incidents, please, ladies,' Clark asked.

Diana and her mother looked at each other, but didn't reply.

"Welcome! Welcome, one and all,' Cubby cheerfully said. "I thought you were bringing Diana's mother and aunt, Clark, not her hot sisters?"

"Excuse me,' Hippolyta said.

"Wow, it is amazing what those plastic surgeons can do today,' Cubby continued. "You don't look a day over thirty."

Before the Queen could respond, Clark stepped forward.

"Nice place, Cubby, looks like the party's going well," he nervously said. Out of the corner of his eye he was trying to keep watch on both Diana and Hippolyta.

"Well, it sure it, Clark,' Cubby laughed. "When the Vintons host a party, they go all out! Now don't be shy, everybody's friends here! If you need anything just holler! I've got a goat to roast and steaks to barbeque! Enjoy!"

LuAnn started to move towards Clark, but the look on Diana and her mother's face stopped her.

"I think I'll just mingle, she offered. "Make yourselves at home!"

With a slightly nervous smile, LuAnn moved away from the four of them.

"It seems she got the message, Princess,' Phillipus remarked.

"I'd be more than happy to remind her,' Diana replied.

"Look, everybody, it's a party,' Clark said. "Why don't we try and enjoy it? For today, you're not Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta and you're not General in command of them, Phillipus. I'd say what you're not today, Diana, but you'd hit me. We're all just neighbors trying to have a good time. These are just nice normal folks getting together to share a nice evening, okay?"

The three women reluctantly agreed. As they moved into the party, others from the neighborhood said hello and welcomed then. The word pretty came out of several men's mouths, but none of the ladies took offensive to it.

They began to mingle and the food and drinks continued to flow.

"I must admit, they do seem like nice people," Hippolyta remarked.

"The food and spirits are plentiful as well,' Phillipus offered, as she took another drink. "This liquor is called Vodka and it is quite refreshing. I believe I will have some more of it."

Carl the dry cleaner came over to the ladies holding little beanbags in his hands.

"Hey, Polly, you interested in a little cornhole?"

"I beg your pardon," the Queen said with indignation.

"I believe it's a game of some sort, my Que-Hippolyta,' Phillipus said.

"Oh, well, that's different,' Hippolyta said to Carl. "No thank you."

"I will give it a try,' Phillipus said. "I've always been good at skill games."

"Great!' Carl said and ushered her over to the match area. Hippolyta watched for a while, but the game seemed mindless so she moved on.

As the evening progressed and the food and drinks continued to flow freely, Hippolyta found she was enjoying herself. After getting over the initial shock of it, she began to talk with the neighbors. It had been a long time since she hadn't been addressed as your majesty or my Queen and the novelty of being just another person at the party was intriguing to her. She didn't have to watch everything she did for fear one of her subjects might be taking notice. Today, she would just be Polly she thought and enjoy this simple evening.

For Clark and Diana it was more practice on their cover. They mingled with the neighbors telling them all about the way they'd met and how they were married. Diana was asked about the wedding and she went into detail describing it to the other wives. Everyone seemed very nice to her and she found herself enjoying telling the stories.

For Clark it was mostly a good time, except for two things. One Cubby seemed bound and determined to sell him aluminum siding. How a man could be so fascinated by one subject Clark couldn't figure out. As he listened to Cubby describe his product, it seemed to take on magical properties unheard off with normal wood siding. Clark had no intention of buying, but he tried to be polite. In a strange way, it was actually fascinating to watch him give the hard sell. Cubby was a professional salesman, the old school kind and any occasion was apparently ripe for the next big sale.

The other problem wasn't so easily dealt with. LuAnn had made it rather plain she was interested in Clark. While he was flatter that an attractive woman liked him, it made for some uncomfortable moments. First of all, she was married to the guy pushing the aluminum siding. Second, Diana was not happy about it, at all. Clark tried politely let LuAnn know he wasn't interested, but that didn't seem to work. Finally he just resorted to the easiest method, he stayed near Diana. That worked quite well and he was able to relax.

"It is an interesting party, isn't it, Kal,' Diana said. "Did you try the goat, it was delicious."

"No, I didn't get a chance yet," he replied. "I've been listening to aluminum siding pitches and keeping an eye out for trouble."

"She's over by the Lawn Jarts, perhaps I should challenge her to a game,' Diana suggested.

"That doesn't sound like a good idea,' he said. "We don't need any accidental impalings."

"It was just a suggestion."

"Uh-huh," he said with a smile. "Besides, you probably couldn't get a clear shot the way you've been surrounded by all the husbands for most of the party."

"Yes, they do all seem interested in where I'm from,' Diana replied.

"I don't think that's exactly what they're interested in, Diana."

"Don't tell me your jealous, Kal,' she said with a grin.

"Well, I could do without constantly being told how incredible lucky I am by every guy here,' he replied.

"But you are lucky, Kal, you're married to me, remember,' Diana teased.

"Well, someone's ego is certainly enjoying all the attention," he teased back. "Maybe I was too quick earlier. I mean it seems I have other options."

"You had better be talking about Lois, Kal,' Diana said.

The smile slipped from his face as the memory of their break up came rushing back. Diana noticed it immediately.

"Kal? What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Yeah, something did,' he admitted. "About Lois, she broke it off with me. I guess I can't be the man she wants or needs."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Kal," Diana replied. She could see plainly how much this hurt him. She wanted to put her arms around him and hug him, but he stepped away.

"Maybe it's for the best," he offered. Clark hadn't meant to mention it to Diana and didn't want her to worry about him. He tried to play it off with a joke. "Perhaps Bruce has the right idea, I should start dating lots of women. Ask the first one that is willing to go out with me."

Diana knew what he was doing, but this was not the place for the conversation.

"I don't think I'd like that, Kal,' she said. "I mean, how would it look if my husband starting dating?"

She smiled at him and he found himself returning it.

"Thanks Diana,' he softly said, giving her hand a squeeze.

"You're welcome, Kal."

Hippolyta was getting into the swing of things. She cheered on Phillipus as she defeated all comers in each of the games they had. The two of them celebrated with vodka shots after each round. They were in a very good mood.

They were just going back to the bar for a refill when they spotted Jenny and Dottie sneaking off giggling. Curiosity got the better of the two Amazons and they followed them. Jenny gave a little shriek of surprise when they stepped behind the bushes.

"Oh, gosh, Polly, you scared the heck out of me,' Jenny gasped. "I thought you were the cops."

"5-0,' Dottie said and then giggled.

"Why would you be worried about the authorities,' Hippolyta asked.

"You're not a narc, are you,' Dottie asked.

"I don't believe so.'

"How about you, Philli-Phillip-Phillipussssss,' Dottie said. "You kind of look like a narc or 5-0."

"I don't even know what 5-0 is, Dottie,' the General replied.

"Okay, that's cool."

Jenny pulled Hippolyta to the side. She glanced all around them and then whispered to the Queen.

"We're doing the Pot, Polly! We're hippies!"

This brought a giggle from both Jenny and Dottie.

"The Pot? What is that,' Phillipus asked.

Jenny and Dottie both smile at this.

The sun had set and Cubby cleared off a part of the cement patio. Tike torches were lit and he pulled out a boom box. At first he nearly blasted everyone out, but finally he found the volume control. Couples began to dance. Clark turned to Diana.

"I thought I'd head off the stampede and ask you this time,' he said with a smile.

"Stop exaggerating, Kal,' Diana said as they stepped unto the cement porch. Clark glanced over her shoulder and saw the look of disappointment on many of the men's faces.

"Not really that big an exaggeration, Diana,' he said as they started to dance. They moved around the floor enjoying the night and the music. At one point Cubby and LuAnn moved up next to them.

"Care to switch partners, Clark,' Cubby said. Both Cubby and LuAnn had big smiles on their faces.

"Just a little swap to liven things up,' LuAnn added.

Diana turned and looked at them.

"No."

Clark gave Cubby and LuAnn a shrug and danced away with Diana.