Standing, Room Only
"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl
is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. "
- Albert Einstein –
Gotham Heights
The sun wasn't up yet, but Clark couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes a million thoughts seemed to swirl around in is brain. Questions kept posing themselves and the answers he wasn't ready to accept or didn't know. Loyalty, desire, friendship and honor were very real to him. Forces seemed to be pulling him in every direction. He understood that lives aren't lived in a vacuum, and once decisions are made they had consequences not just for one's self but others.
Getting up he slipped on his swim trunks and silently made his way towards the pool. As he walked through the living room he glanced at Diana sleeping on the couch. He quietly moved over and pulled the blanket up to cover her. She didn't wake, but snuggled down deeper into the couch. It would be so easy to fall in love with you, he thought. With a sigh, he turned and headed out to the pool.
The Watchtower
Ollie sat in the cafeteria nursing a cup of coffee. He managed to flash his trademark smile when anyone said hello, but he didn't really feel like smiling. The song lyrics, 'if you love someone, set them free' kept repeating in his head. He'd always hated that song. Letting go is never easy, as we all tend to cling to what we know.
It felt like letting Dinah go was the biggest mistake of his life.
He had seen it coming for quite some time, yet hadn't been able to do anything to stop it. He knew she was unhappy, so was he. Perhaps it was the age difference, but he'd never intended their relationship to have a mentor/student quality to it. She had just been so eager that he felt the need to protect her. It was also an ego boost; he had to admit, having a beautiful young woman look up to him like that. He got comfortable in that role. It was a mistake he realized, just like joining the League.
Ollie knew the League had a place, but he was still uneasy about it. His focus had always been on the little guy. There were plenty of others to fight the global and intergalactic threats, but so few to give voice to the voiceless. Super villains and aliens made the headlines, but to the average Joe on the street they weren't the primary threat. To them, the local corrupt officials and corporate thugs affected them far more.
He could still remember Bruce's pitch, about needing watchdogs to keep the League honest. Ollie wondered if even Bruce realized how much of a losing battle that was. The Justice League was an army in everything but name. The very set up of the place was along military lines. In many ways it fit into Bruce's vision of establishing order far more than even he probably realized. It would be so easy and not that far of a leap for this to turn into something else, a government onto itself.
Ollie knew Dinah wanted to be a part of this. She only saw the idealistic side of the League in his view. If he couldn't get her to understand how dangerous this place potentially was, then what chance did he have of convincing anyone else? Maybe that's where the divide started for them. She was much more from the Batman school of doing things than Ollie was. Ollie had always believed in a balance between his regular life and his hero life. More and more he could see Dinah was moving towards the hero part of her life at the expense of her regular life.
It was a seductive trap. Many saw the similarities between Ollie and Bruce and missed the differences. Oliver Queen was who he was and Green Arrow was just a costume he put on. Bruce was Batman; no matter what outward disguise he wore. Dinah was heading down that same path and if Ollie couldn't stop her, he wasn't going to join her. He loved her, but not at the price of giving up who he was. So he would let her go.
Others would believe it was because he was cheating on her and he wouldn't correct them. They would never know he would gladly marry Dinah, but that was out of love not a desire to change her. The way things were between them, marriage would just be a fresh coat of paint over the deep flaws in their relationship. They had become different people. She was all in, while he could never make that sacrifice.
Perhaps it was the same as when she'd trained with Wildcat and then moved on from him. Maybe what Dinah had with Ollie had run its course and now it was time to move on again. Maybe another could provide her with what she needed now. From past experience, Ollie knew not every relationship was meant forever. He'd believed his with Dinah had a chance, but now was starting to see that might just wishful thinking.
Gotham
Batman stood in the shadows watching. Below, Black Canary and Huntress were in a battle. They were winning, of course. It seemed Barbara had her Birds of Prey together again. He would not interfere, only watch. The way the fight was progressing, they really didn't need his help anyway.
His eyes followed their attack, noting the similarities and differences. Huntress was all about aggression and fury, her fighting style fueled by the rage within her. Bruce let her believe he wasn't supportive of her, but that was just so she'd keep that temper reigned in. He knew it could easily slip over the line and she would kill someone. Watching her though, he had to admit there was almost a sense of paternal pride at the fighter she was.
Black Canary was different. The aggression and fury was there, but always under control. Her tactics were much more thought out, seeing the larger picture. Since their talk, part of him had worried she would let that aggression consume her and become more like Huntress. Watching her now, he realized she was too well trained for that.
If he hadn't known it before, he saw it first hand tonight, Dinah was a natural leader. Even someone like Helena seemed to sense this and followed her. Barbara might be the brains of their operation, but Dinah was the leader. As he watched her, his mind worked along with hers, seeing what she saw and understanding each of her actions. She was thinking like he would, five steps ahead of her foe.
It struck him that she seemed to understand this world and thrive in it. Remembering her words from the other night, Bruce found himself disturbed by how comfortable she was. This was the life he'd chosen, but not something he wanted for another. Part of him still had regrets about bringing Dick into this world and hoped he choose another path. Now it seemed Dinah was making her choice. She was a grown woman, so it wasn't his place to tell her what to do, but that wouldn't stop him from worrying about her. He understood better than anyone the price Batman had cost him.
The Watchtower
A nervous Zatanna stepped down off the transporter pad. It was the first time she'd been back on the station since she'd humiliated herself in front of everyone. She'd been hiding out ever since, hoping it would blow over, but knew she would have to face it sooner or later. She was on the schedule today so there was no more hiding. Her strategy, for what it was worth, was to just pretend like it never happened.
It seemed like a good plan in her hotel room, but it sort of fell apart once she transported in. Wally and his goofball friend, Plastic Man were in the transporter room when she arrived. Shayera was at the controls and smiled at her.
"Hey, Zee, long time, no see,' Wally happily said.
"Yeah, Zee, we were being to think you'd resigned,' Shayera joked.
"No, just busy getting ready for my Gotham shows,' she replied.
"That's all well and good, but now that you're back and no longer looking to date Superman, how about taking a ride on the Plastic Love Train,' Plastic Man asked. Wally and Shayera laughed, but Zatanna just stopped and glared at him.
"What do you say, Zee? A-ring-a-ding-ding!"
She reached into the small watch pocket on her vest and pulled out a dollar bill.
"Here's a dollar,' she said to Plastic Man.
"What's this for,' he asked.
"To go away."
"Deal! A-ring-a-ding-ding!"
He turned into tricycle with horn and rolled out of the room, honking the whole way. Zee turned and looked at Wally. He had a huge grin on his face.
"What?"
"Don't I get a dollar too?"
"No."
"What? Why not? I can be just as annoying as he can," Wally protested.
"True,' Zee replied and then smacked him. "But you're a good friend, besides, smacking you always worked in the past."
"Ow! What have you been talking to Shayera,' Wally complained. "Jeez, ever since I asked her to be my date for your show, she hits me all the time!"
"What,' Zee gasped.
"It's not a date,' Shayera shouted.
"Right, whatever,' Wally replied. "Just don't hit me and you can call it whatever you want."
"It's not a date,' Shayera said a little softer to Zee.
"So you're not coming with Wally to my show?"
"No, we're coming together,' Shayera said.
"But it's not a date,' Zee asked.
"Certainly not!"
"Uh-huh,' Zee replied with a smile.
"It's not!"
"Hey, Wally, want to go to the cafeteria and have a cup of coffee with me,' Zee asked.
"You promise not to hit me?"
"I'll try."
"Okay."
As they were heading out the door, Zee glanced at Shayera and smiled.
"So Wally, I want to hear all about this date you two are having."
"It's not a date,' Shayera shouted, but the doors were already closed. "I hate my friends sometimes."
Gotham Heights
A rather stiff legged Hippolyta came slowly down the stairs. Her complexion was a little pallid and as she entered the sunlight of the living room, she closed her eyes and groaned.
"Good morning,' Clark offered with a smile. "Coffee?"
"Please."
"I made some breakfast, eggs with salsa.' Seeing her condition, he couldn't help joking. "They're a little runny, but good."
Hippolyta bought her hand up to her mouth, as she turned a little green at just the thought of food.
"Just the coffee, please."
"Of course, your Majesty."
He went into the kitchen with a smile. Diana had been getting the mail and walked in the front door.
"Well, you are finally up, mother,' she said. "How are you feeling after your wild night?"
"I'm certain I don't know what you're talking about, Diana,' Hippolyta haughtily replied. "I'm fine."
"Don't try it, Mother, you behavior last night was certainly not that of a Queen."
"It was a party, Diana, and I enjoyed myself,' Hippolyta countered. "I wasn't the Queen last night, remember, I was pretending to be just your mother coming for a visit."
"Still, to participate in illegal activities, mother, how am I supposed to react to that? What would are sisters say if they knew?"
"Do you have any proof I did anything illegal,' Hippolyta asked.
"You practically admitted it last night,' Diana offered.
"Did I? I don't recall specifically saying I did,' Hippolyta replied. "You just assumed I did. If you have no proof, it's just my word than isn't it? As your Queen, I say I didn't do anything I consider illegal last night. Are you going to contradict your Queen, Princess Diana?"
"That's not fair pulling rank, mother, 'Diana grumbled.
"No, but it's one of the perks of being Queen," Hippolyta said with a smile.
Clark came back at this moment, cutting off further discussion. He was carrying a tray of coffee with him.
"Coffee, your Majesty. Cream or sugar,' he asked.
"Just black, please."
"Is that coffee I smell," General Phillipus asked as she made her way down the steps.
"I have a cup for you as well, General," Clark replied. "Oh, and I burned that CD you wanted."
"Did you remember to put that song 'Brickhouse' on it? The rhythm just makes one want to dance."
"Yes, it's on there, along with Journey's 'Lights' and I included the lyrics, too,' he replied.
"Thank you, Clark."
"Well, isn't everyone chummy this morning,' Diana said in a snide tone. "So we are not going to discuss your behavior last night?"
"What about it,' Phillipus asked as she accept a cup of coffee from Clark.
"You were both out of hand,' Diana said. "You are the Queen and General of the Amazons, yet you weren't acting like it. Drinking, dancing and other things that I'm not allowed to mention."
Diana shot a look at her mother at this.
"It was a party, Princess,' Phillipus replied. "Drinking and dancing are what you do at parties. We certainly weren't the only ones."
"Yes, I thought we blended in, quite well,' Hippolyta added.
"You certainly didn't act your age, Mother,' Diana complained.
"Weren't you dancing and drinking too, Diana,' Clark asked. This earned him a glare from her. "I'll just stay out of it."
"Good, do that."
"Diana, I know you think your mother and 'aunt' are hopelessly old, but we enjoy a party as much as the next person,' Hippolyta explained. "Last night was a unique opportunity for us to just be Hippolyta and Phillipus, without all the duties and obligations of our titles."
"So we took advantage of it,' Phillipus added.
"I'll say,' Clark offered. This got him a look from all three of the women. "I'll just be quiet now. Just pretend I'm not here."
"Diana, no harm was done, was it?"
"No, but that's not the point."
'Isn't it,' asked Hippolyta. "You are pretending to be husband and wife, are you not? For one night, Phillipus and I pretend not to be Queen and General of the Amazons. Surely, if I can put up with you pretending for a whole month, you can return the favor for one night?"
"Well, when you put it that way,' Diana admitted.
Phillipus moved over and looked out the front window as a car horn sounded.
"Our ride is here, my Queen."
"So now it's back to the real world," Hippolyta said.
There were hugs all around.
"It was good to see you again, Mother and you General, even with last nights performance,' Diana said to them. "I am glad you both came to visit."
"Thank you, daughter, as am I."
"Good bye, Princess, be safe,' Phillipus offered.
"Good bye, General, I hope to see you soon."
Hippolyta was just about to leave, when she turned around and moved over to Clark. He had been hanging back, letting them have their moment. She looked at him for a moment.
"Superman, Kal-El, or Clark, I see now that no matter the name, you are a good man,' she said. "It still remains to be seen if you will keep your promise to me. If you do, then I will know you are an honorable man as well."
They held each other's eyes for a moment before he spoke.
"I will keep my promise."
The Queen did something unexpected then; she moved towards him and gave Clark a hug. Diana and Phillipus stood, stunned at this. Hippolyta stepped back and smiled at Clark.
"I find myself hoping you do. Good bye, Clark."
"Good bye, your Majesty."
Metropolis
Intergang thought this would be just a routine transfer of weapons, but that idea was quickly changed when Supergirl and Stargirl showed up. The two young heroes proceeded to kick their asses. The police arrived and the two posed for pictures. They were quite popular with the male members of the media. The Intergang members were hauled away and Supergirl and Stargirl agreed to stay around until the police special unit arrived to confiscate the weapons. This was the dull part of the job they both hated.
They were both sitting on the crates texting while they waited. Courtney gave a sigh, wishing she could be anywhere else, especially at the new club opening tonight.
"How long is this going to take? They're cops, don't they use their sirens to get through traffic faster,' she asked.
"Look, you think I want to be stuck in this crummy warehouse either,' Kara replied. "It's just part of the job, what do you want me to say?"
"God, you sound like your cousin more and more everyday."
'Oh, shut up!"
"I thought we were going to that new club opening tonight,' Courtney asked, ignoring the last comment. "That was why you invited me, remember?"
"I know, but what was I supposed to do,' Kara replied. "These douchebags decided to screw things up by transferring weapons today of all days, so we had to stop them."
"I know, it just sucks."
"Look, the van will be here any minute and then we can go. It only takes like two minutes to get there, besides you don't want to be lame showing up early do you?"
'So does you cousin know about you going tonight,' Courtney teased.
"We have a don't ask, don't tell policy,' Kara explained.
"He doesn't ask? That's kind of hard to believe."
"Okay, it's more of an ask, don't tell policy,' Kara admitted. "Besides, he's got his hands full right now, so he's not thinking about what I'm doing."
"You're so lucky,' Courtney complained. "I have to play twenty questions every time I go out. I don't think Pat trusts you."
"Well, maybe if he was living with Diana he wouldn't be so worried about what you were doing," Kara teased.
"That's still so amazing they are doing that! I mean Superman and Wonder Woman, Oh My God!"
"Do you mind keeping your voice down, Courtney,' Kara said. "I don't think everyone needs to know!'
"So do you think they're doing it,' Courtney excitedly asked.
"First, he's my cousin, Courtney, so ewww,' Kara replied, making a face at the thought. "Second, he promised the Queen he wouldn't, so no."
"It's still so romantic," Courtney said. "I always heard she liked Batman, but your cousin seems much nicer. Batman kind of scares me, to tell you the truth."
"That's his thing,' Kara offered. "He likes to scare everybody. I agree though, I think Clark and Diana are perfect for each other. Maybe spending this time in the suburbs will get them to realize it too."
"You know if they get married you'd be like Wonder Woman's sister or something."
"She already has a sister, Courtney,' Kara replied. "I'd be like a sister-in-law."
"Would that make you royalty too,' Courtney asked.
"I don't know, but that would be really cool if it did, 'Kara admitted. "Princess Kara, that has a nice ring to it."
"You're not going to start hating men are you? I mean if you become a Amazon Princess?"
"God no!"
The sound of sirens were finally heard and the two young heroes excitedly got up and ran out to greet them. they both hwanted to get this over with as soon as possible. Once they were outside, there was no one to notice a shift in the shadows behind the crates of weapons. It was an invisibility cloak and a very tall woman dressed in all black with flexible steel bands strapped around her stepped silently out. She spied Kara's phone laying on one of the crates and quickly moved over to it. Hooking it up to her mother box, she downloaded all the information. She set it back down on the crate and was about to make her escape, when a smile came to her face.
"Kal-El and Woman Woman together, that's very interesting,' she mused. "In the suburbs, no less. Yes, that is very interesting."