Fight Club
"Round Two"
Metropolis
A perfect date if you go by what you read on dating sites seemed to involve a lot of walking, especially on the beach. Everybody loves walking. Yet most of us don't live near the beach. It's cold in winter and it's hot in summer. Let's take a cab or why don't we drive? I didn't exactly wear shoes for a long hike, you know? I think I'm pitting out this shirt and we're not even halfway there yet. Yes, everyone loves walking or so they say and write on their profiles.
The old Metropolis Coliseum had stood for years. Once it was the hub of the city's sporting life, but teams demanded their own stadiums with more luxury boxes and higher revenues. There was always an unspoken threat of the team moving to help the city leaders see the need for a new stadium. The Coliseum became the second rate venue. The biggest bands didn't play there anymore, the ones on the way up or the way done did. The inner city neighborhood around the Coliseum had seen better days too.
Boxing is like the old Coliseum. Once it was the top and now it's an afterthought on the sporting landscape.
"Boxing is like jazz. The better it is, the less people appreciate it," George Foreman.
The crowd was packed in shoulder to shoulder. The smell of sweat, blood and smoke filled the air. The only lights were on the ring or the exit signs. Palpable electricity surrounded everyone, as the shouts and jeers reverberated off the old walls and the building became an echo chamber.
"Hit him!"
"He's on Queer street!"
"Go for the body, break him up inside!"
"He's ready to go, finish him!"
Wally slowly turned and looked at his 'date', Shayera sitting next to him. A plastic cup of beer in one hand, popcorn in the other, she was shouting along with the rest of the crowd. There was something in her eyes, blood lust he guessed, that made him a little nervous.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself,' he ventured.
"Yes, this is wonderful!"
"Sorry about that last fighter getting blood on your clothes, but we are in the front row,' he offered.
"Nonsense, I loved it! These are great seats, Wally! This is the best time I've had in ages,' Shayera replied with a smile. "Oh, hey, there's the hot dog guy, get us some, will you?"
"Sure,' he said, signaling to the vendor.
"Yes! One more shot and he's going to go,' Shayera shouted, as she jumped to her feet. Wally paid for the two hot dogs and looked at her again. He thanked his lucky stars she hadn't brought her mace with her, cause she really seemed to be into it.
Gotham
John Constantine and Bruce Wayne stood ten feet apart, looking at each other. Zatanna looked back and forth at both of them. What are they going to fight over me, she wondered? That's kind of cool, I wonder who'd win? No, I've got to stop this, she thought.
"What are you doing here, Bruce,' she asked.
"I came to see you,' he replied, not taking his eye off Constantine.
"Well, get in line, mate, I was here first,' Constantine offered.
"The lady asked you to leave,' Bruce said, taking another step forward. "I think you should do as she asks."
"What are you Gotham City's white knight or something,' Constantine replied. "You rich boys always think you can do whatever you want, don't you? Christ, you act like this is your own personal city or something. Zee and I are friends, so don't try and act all heroic mate."
"I'm not going to tell you again, leave,' Bruce stated.
"Ooh, I'm all scared now,' Constantine joked.
"You should be,' Bruce replied.
"Bold talk, playboy."
Bruce took another step towards Constantine. Zatanna had been watching it all in fascination. The testosterone level was off the charts she thought. If she didn't stop this someone was going to get hurt, she realized. Well, Constantine was going to get hurt actually.
"Okay, that's enough,' she finally said. "You guys can have you pissing contest somewhere else."
"Actually it would be more of a cock fight, Zee,' Constantine said. She gave him a look, but he just smiled in return. "Heavyweight versus lightweight from the looks of it, eh, Wayne?"
Bruce just took another step closer. Zatanna stepped between the two of them.
"Whatever! You two are not fighting over me, I won't allow it,' she stated flatly.
"It wouldn't be much of a fight,' Constantine joked, looking at Bruce.
"No, it wouldn't,' Bruce replied. He took another step closer.
"Well, we agree on one thing,' Constantine said, lighting up a cigarette and blowing the smoke in Bruce's face. Zee watched his reaction and then looked at Constantine.
"Do you have a death wish,' she asked.
"What? Cause I'm smoking,' he asked. "Don't worry, love, I've already made a deal about these."
Bruce took another step closer and now Zatanna stepped in front of him to stop him getting any closer to Constantine.
"Bruce, no!"
It happened in slow motion from Zee's point of view. She could see the hairs on Constantine's hand as he reached out to push Bruce. She was shaking her head and tried to stop him, but it was too late. Bruce caught the hand before it even got close to him and with a flick of his wrist; Constantine was on his knees gasping in pain. Even as she turned towards Bruce he was leaning down close to Constantine.
"Leave, now,' Bruce whispered.
Zee was grabbing at Bruce trying to pull him away from Constantine. It took a moment but finally he released his hold on him. Constantine slumped back in shock and anger.
"Lucky," he muttered and then flicked his cigarette at Bruce's face. How he did it, Zee wasn't even sure, but Bruce caught the cigarette butt in the air.
"Not luck."
Constantine's eyes went wide in surprise and he slowly scrambled backwards. Bruce started to take a step towards him, but Zatanna stopped him. She grabbed Bruce by the lapels of his jacket and held on to him, while she turned and looked at Constantine.
"John, just go, please?"
Constantine had managed to get to his feet and was brushing himself off. He looked at Bruce and then Zee.
"Since you asked so nicely, I will,' he finally said. "I'll see you around, Zee."
He gave her a smile, then turned and walked away. They watched him disappear and then Zee turned all her attention to Bruce. She shoved him hard, almost knocking him to the ground.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Bruce,' she demanded.
"I don't like that guy,' Bruce replied, straightening his suit. "He's a jackass."
"Yes, I know, but what does that have to do with tonight?"
"I don't like seeing you with him,' Bruce admitted. "You told him to go and if he wouldn't listen to you, he was going to listen to me."
"What are you my dad now,' she asked. "Constantine's harmless. I've known him for years. I can take care of myself, Bruce."
"I know that,' he admitted.
"What do you mean you don't like seeing me with him,' she continued.
"Just what I said,' Bruce replied. He brushed his hair back into place and his demeanor was back to calm, cool Bruce Wayne.
"Well, you don't get to decide who I see and don't see, remember,' Zatanna fired back at him. "I don't need you checking out who I'm going out with, is that clear?"
"It wasn't like that,' Bruce offered.
"I said is that clear,' Zee demanded.
"Yes, you said it loud enough, I'm sure it's clear to everyone for several blocks."
A nasty remark was just on the tip of Zee's lips, but she stopped herself. She crossed her arms in front of her and gave Bruce a look.
"What are you doing here, anyway?"
"I wanted to see you,' he explained.
"Why?"
"Well, you haven't barged into the mansion in days and I haven't seen you on the station,' he started, but she cut him off.
"So you're checking up on me?"
"No!"
Zee had been carefully watching him the whole time and now a smile came to her face.
"You missed me, didn't you,' she asked playfully.
"Don't be ridiculous,' Bruce scoffed. She kept smiling as she walked over to him. They were standing very close. She looked up into his eyes and there was a little twinkle in hers.
"You missed me, Bruce, just say it."
"I was just worried about you and wanted to make sure you were okay,' he countered.
"You missed me, admit it."
"I wasn't, I was just,' he started to deny it, but she cut him off with a kiss. He seemed taken off guard by it, but didn't pull away. He was just moving to pull her in tighter, when Zee stepped back a huge smile on her face.
"I've got a show to do, Bruce,' she said. "Thanks for saying you missed me."
"I didn't,' he said, but she was already heading in the backstage door.
"Yes you did,' she called over her shoulder. "You missed me!"
"I,' he started, but the door closed before he could finish.
"Damn! She got the last word in,' he grumbled. He stood there for a moment, looking at the door. He brought his fingers up to his lips and a smile came as he remembered the kiss. Bruce turned and slowly made his way back towards the street.
Metropolis
"Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country,' Toyman shouted to his gathered toy soldiers. He was dressed in high black boots, tan pants tucked into them, a military jacket with the front covered in metals, a combat helmet and had a bubblegum cigar clamped between his teeth. "Victory, men!"
The toy soldiers raised their arms and saluted.
"Is this really necessary,' Grodd asked in disgust. "They are toys, after all."
"You have no poetry in your heart, do you,' Toyman countered.
"Little man crazy,' Grundy offered.
"Are we going to stand here all night and listen to this jerk-off or are we hitting the bank,' Livewire asked.
"And people wonder why I like the good girls,' Toyman replied.
"They don't like you though,' Cheetah pointed out.
"I'm misunderstood."
"Enough! Grodd growled and stamped his foot, shaking the room. "We each know our role, let's get on with it. Toyman, not another word or so help me, I'll tear you limp from limp before Supergirl ever gets a chance!"
"Okay! Relax,' Toyman offered. "No reason to go all primate jungle on me. Let's do this."
Gotham Heights
True to his word, Clark hadn't made any passes at Diana all day. He had looked at her, though. His words about every time he looked at her he was thinking how much he wanted her were still reverberating around in Diana's mind. When she looked at him and their eyes met, she felt a tingle go down her body. She felt flushed and excited and most of all, aroused. It wasn't that she didn't like these feelings; just that there was nothing she could do about them. To say she was a little frustrated was putting it kindly.
Dinner had been pleasant. They had ordered in and sat on opposite sides of the table, her choice. As the dinner progressed, they opened up to each other, talking about their lives, jobs and families. They shared memories of when they were both first learning how to control their powers. Diana laughed till tears rolled down her cheeks as he explained how his heat vision had first appeared and been tied to his reactions to several young women in his high school.
She always liked this side of him. He could laugh at himself much more easily than she could. She had always been nervous about appearing silly or vulnerable, but with him she could share those foolish and stupid moments that everyone has and not worry about it. She told him stories about herself that only her mother, sister and perhaps General Phillipus knew. He laughed, but it was with her not at her.
Dinner had lasted almost three hours, as they sat talking over the empty cartons. It was getting dark outside when they finally got up from the table. Clark took out the trash while Diana cleaned up the table and then the living room while she was thinking about it. She was just finishing up when she saw him standing in the doorway smiling at her.
"What?"
"You're very neat, Diana," he said.
"So?'
"Nothing, just an observation,' he replied. "I never knew that about you until we started living together. I guess there was a lot I didn't know about you before this started."
"I could say the same about you, Kal,' Diana offered. "Who knew that when you get excited your heat vision kicks in. Should I be worried?"
He laughed at her teasing him and she joined him.
"I was a lot younger than, I've got it under control now,' he replied. "I'm going to run down to the store for some ice cream, do you want anything?"
"Ice cream, again, Kal,' Diana asked.
"Chocolate, Diana."
"It's not good for you," she said. "You know that. Why not some vegetables or rice cakes?"
"No one runs down to the store after dinner for rice cakes, Diana,' Clark replied. "You know that homemade ice cream place on the edge of town has a special this week. Vanilla with blueberries, whole big chunks of blueberries mixed in with the creamiest vanilla ice cream.'
Diana stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
"Blueberries?"
"Fresh blueberries,' he said.
"All right, I guess some ice cream wouldn't hurt,' she finally agreed. "Get the chocolate, too."
"You're coming around,' he teased. He smiled at her as he headed out the door.
The Watchtower
Dinah and Jonn were on monitoring duty. A light flashed on the console and they both moved over to check on it.
"Metropolis," Dinah stated.
Jonn checked over the Intel coming in and then glanced at Dinah.
"Who do we have in Metropolis?"
"Well, Steel and Supergirl,' Dinah replied, as she checked the logs. "I think Mary Marvel and Stargirl are with her. Why?"
"This is not good,' Jonn said. "It seems the central bank is being robbed. Grodd, Livewire, Cheetah, Grundy and Killer Frost have teamed up."
"Interesting mix, but Steel, Supergirl, Mary Marvel and Stargirl should be able to handle it,' Dinah stated. "Just in case, though, I'll call up a couple of others to assist."
"Call up more than a few, Dinah,' Jonn said. "Toyman is also with them."
"Oh, God, they are going to kill him,' Dinah groaned. "Well, that leaves out calling Zatanna, Power Girl, Mari and most of the other women in the League."
"I think we should get down there, as well,' Jonn offered. "I will try and slow them down until Superman gets there."
"I'll call Diana too,' Dinah said.
They snapped into action, calling Mr. Terrific to take over control.
Gotham Heights
Diana had cleaned up everything and decided to take a nice hot bath while she waited for Kal to get back with ice cream. As she lit some candles and added some exotic oils and salts from back home, Dian turned off the lights. It was one of the indulgences she allowed herself. Slipping out of her clothes, she stepped lighting into the water. She smiled as the heat registered against her skin.
"Ah,' she sighed, as she submerged herself in the water. Bubbles covered the surface, as steam rose up. Jasmine, sandalwood, orchids were but a few of the scents that mixed together. It reminded her of home and the ornate baths of the palace. Closing her eyes, she dipped under the water letting it soak her face and hair. It felt as if the hot water were easing all the tension from her muscles. She let her mind drift.
One of the stories that Kal had told at dinner came back to her. It was about a misadventure in high school with a girl and Red Kryptonite. Diana knew about Green Kryptonite and it's effect on him, but she had never heard about Red Kryptonite. He had told the story in a very amusing and self deprecating way, but Diana found herself trying to imagine what he would be like under Red Kryptonite's effects.
Lying there in the water, her eyes closed, Diana tried to picture Kal without his normal inhibitions and caution. She was leisurely washing her arms with the washcloth as her imagination began to fill in the details of his story. This time, though, it wasn't some high school girl with Kal in Las Vegas, but Diana.
They were in the honeymoon suite in a small hotel. Again it was that huge garish red heart-shaped bed in the middle of the room. She pictured herself in a white nightgown kneeling on the bed, smiling at him. He was slowly taking off his clothes, his eyes never leaving her. Diana absently ran the washcloth over her collarbone and then a little lower on her chest. Again her imagination was very good at filling in the details. He stood naked before her, their eyes locked. He wanted her. He didn't even have to say it, she knew from his gaze.
Diana shifted deeper into the tub; the washcloth making it's way down her tone, muscular stomach. Her other hand dreamily joined it touching her body under the water and bubbles. She imagined them coming together, claiming each others' lips in a storm of unbridled passion. The washcloth moved a little lower and a small gasped escaped Diana's lips. Her legs opened slightly wider, her hand and the washcloth dipping down between them.
In her imagination, Kal was ripping her nightgown off, the two of them falling back on the heart-shaped bed. His hands and lips seemed to be everywhere at once, devouring her. A low moan came from Diana's lips as the washcloth moved faster, her body starting to unconsciously rock against it. In her mind, she was on top of him, shifting her body lower, kissing his chest, as she moved to center herself over him. They held each others' eyes as she slowly lowered herself onto him. They both gasped. Diana felt something building as she lay in the tub, her fantasy rushing forward. It came on so strong and fast, she gasp and groaned under its intensity. Just as she was about to peak, her League communicator went off. Diana opened her eyes, but her peak hit at just that moment. Her body seemed to lock up and she let out a scream of intense pleasure as she was overwhelmed by the sensations. The moment seemed to last an eternity, as she hung suspended outside of time.
Diana's mouth hung slack, as wave after wave crashed over her. Dimly she heard the communicator beeping, but she was too involved in what was happening within her to care. Slowly the sensations began to lessen and it suddenly occurred to her what had just happened. The communicator beeped again. Diana was suddenly fully conscious of where she was and what was happening. She blushed, as she looked around, afraid someone had seen her. The communicator beeped again, startling her and she thrashed a bit in the tub, trying to get out. Frantically she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her still trembling body. With shaking fingers, she picked up the communicator and tried to calm herself down before answering it.
"Hello,' she finally managed to say.
"Diana, I'm sorry, did I interrupt something,' Dinah's voice came over the communicator.
"NO!" Diana shouted in alarm, her face beet red.
"Um, ah, okay,' Dinah awkwardly replied. "There-There's a situation in Metropolis, a bank robbery. Are you sure I didn't interrupt something?"
"No, I was just finishing,' Diana immediately replied, and the blushed even more. Thank the Gods this is only a voice communicator she thought.
"Right," Dinah replied. "Anyway, Grodd, Cheetah and some others are involved. I wouldn't normally call you two."
"Kal's not here!" Diana interrupted, suddenly mortified that Dinah might think they were, well, you know.
"Are you sure you're okay, Diana,' Dinah asked. "You sound a little out of breath."
"I-I-I was, um, ah, exercising, yes that it's, I was exercising,' Diana stammered to explain.
"Great, look, whatever you do down there is your business, okay, but the thing is, Toyman is involved in the robbery,' Dinah continued. "Kara, Mary Marvel and Stargirl are in Metropolis and you know what they think of Toyman."
"They hate him."
"Yes, so could you two get there as quick as you can?'
"Yes, of course,' Diana said, already moving into action.
"Great and again, sorry for interrupting whatever you were doing,' Dinah said.
"I was exercising, I swear,' Diana exclaimed.
"Okay than, I'll see you in a little while," Dinah replied and the ended the communication. Diana put the communicator down and quickly dried herself off. She was already getting into her uniform, but her mind was on other things. Dinah knows what I was doing, Diana frantically thought. I could hear it in her voice and now everyone will know, Diana worried. No, don't be silly, she told herself, she doesn't know anything, it's just your imagination running away with you, again.
Diana was still flustered and unsettled as she came down the stairs just as Clark arrived back from the ice cream store. Diana blushed as she saw him, her fantasy in the tub still fresh in her mind.
"Um, ah, there is an emergency in Metropolis,' she offered.
"Yes, Dinah contacted me,' he replied. "They are going to beam us up from here. I'll just put this ice cream in the freezer and we can go."
"Right,' Diana said, shifting awkwardly not sure what to do with her hands. Clark nodded and went into the kitchen. He came back out dressed in his uniform.
"You ready,' he asked.
"Yes,' Diana replied, coming over to where he was to beam up.
"Did you take a bath,' he suddenly asked. Diana's eyes went wild in shock, but she managed to stop herself from gasping.
"Um, yes, why,' she asked him as calmly as she could.
"I thought I smelled a different fragrance on you,' he replied. "I know you like to add different scents to your bath."
"Yes, I do,' she agreed.
"I like this one, you should use it again,' he offered with a smile.
"Maybe at the end of this week," Diana muttered.
"Hmm? What?"
"Um, yes, I think I will,' she quickly said. Diana desperately wanted to change the subject. "Let's beam up!"
He nodded and the transporter began. Clark didn't see Diana blushing as they disappeared from the living room.
Metropolis
The fights were over and Wally and Shayera drifted out with the crowd. She was excited and even did a little shadow boxing.
"Oh, I loved it, I love it,' she happily said. "Thanks Wally, this was an amazing night."
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Both their communicators went off and they answered them. Dinah filled them in on the situation.
"We're on it, Dinah, oh and bring my mace with you," Shayera said.
"Well so much for our date,' Wally groaned.
"Are you kidding,' Shayera replied. "This might be the best date I've ever been on! Boxing and now a battle! I might even sleep with you this has been so great!"
She laughed and launched herself into the air, flying towards the bank robbery. Wally stood there with a shocked look on his face for a moment. Suddenly a grin came to his lips.
"This is going to be the luckiest night of my life!" He shouted with joy and then raced off to the bank.