Aftermath
"Home is where the heart is"
Metropolis
The crisis was over and the bank robbery stopped. Police tape and barricades cordoned off the area as the damage was assessed. Kara and Clark helped the fireman put out the last of the fires. The media was already there, shouting questions and trying to push their way through the barricades. The special units of the police had moved in to cart the super villains away. Special garbage trucks were needed to dispose of the fallen toys.
They had suddenly all stopped fighting and collapsed lifelessly onto the ground. Tensions lowered in the aftermath. As the heroes assisted with the transfer of the villains and clean up, Diana came walking up with Toyman bound by her lasso. Everyone turned to watch and three young female heroes took a special interest in watching Diana and Toyman.
"Are you okay,' Clark asked. He wanted to rush over and hug her, but was careful because of the cameras. They were far enough away they couldn't hear what they were saying, but caution was always best, he thought.
"Tired, but yes, I'm okay, Kal,' she replied with a weak smile. He turned his back towards the camera and gave her a smile.
"You had me worried when that portal opened."
"How do you know about the portal,' she asked.
"You didn't say anything about watching,' he countered. They looked at each other and shared a private moment. This was broken up by three rather angry teenage heroes moving towards Toyman. Clark turned and addressed them all.
"Stop right there,' he said, holding up his hands. "Toyman's been defeated and is in custody. I want you all to remember the media is watching everything that happens. So best behavior."
"Maybe he could have an accident getting into the special truck,' Kara offered.
"Kara.' Clark warned.
"Just a thought,' she said sheepishly.
"Nothing to say you dirty little man,' Mary growled. Toyman immediately looked up at Diana. She smiled in return.
"The lasso compels him to keep his mouth shut,' she explained. "I thought that was the best thing for all of us."
Toyman made a face and then turned and looked at the three young heroes. While he couldn't talk, he could give them a lewd smile and wag his eyebrows.
"He's being pervy again,' Mary complained.
"Toyman stop it,' Diana immediately said. He looked at her again, but could do nothing to counter the lasso.
"Why don't you get him in the truck before he figures out something else,' Clark suggested with a shake of his head. He was really starting to wonder if Toyman had a death wish. Diana nodded in agreement and led him to the waiting police. The three watched him the whole way, just hoping he would try something. As he got in and sat down, Diana finally released the lasso from him.
"Holy hell, that was a nightmare,' he complained. "Hey, Blondie, Mary, I just wanted to say…"
Diana slamming the back door on the truck closed cut off his words. She rolled her eyes and sighed.
"I could still hear him, you know,' Kara complained to her cousin.
"Well, that's the price of being super, remember,' he replied. He put his arm around her and gave her shoulders a squeeze. She shrugged him off and he just smiled.
"What did he say,' Mary asked. "It was something dirty wasn't it? I'm going to rip him a new one, that dirty, little, loud-mouthed son of a.."
"Mary!" Diana said in a very firm tone. "I think we need to have a talk, young lady. Come with me, now."
Mary blushed and then with head down followed Diana down the alley, away from the reporters and camera.
"She's so going to get it,' Kara whispered to Courtney with a smirk.
"I think you and Ma Kent should have a little talk too, Kara,' Clark said to her.
"No fair! You were listening,' she grumbled.
"Super hearing, remember?"
"Wow, you're screwed too,' Courtney observed.
"I was also going to speak with S.T.R.I.P.E., Star Girl,' Clark added.
"Oh, shit, he's going to kill me,' Courtney lamented. 'I'll be grounded forever!"
In the bank vault, Wally, Jonn and Shayera were returning the money to the bank president and his security personal. They were very happy about this and hands were vigorously shaken all around. Wally wisely let Jonn do the talking. When they finally disengaged themselves from the bank people, they walked back out into the street.
"Are you going to rush over and give the reporters a statement,' Shayera asked Wally.
"No, I figured I'd let Jonn or Dinah do it," Wally replied.
"Wow, I can't believe you'd turn down an opportunity for free publicity."
"Well, some things are more important,' Wally offered. "I was kinda hoping we could continue our date?"
Shayera stopped and looked at him with a rather surprised expression.
"Seriously?"
"Well, yeah,' he admitted. "I thought we were having a good time before this happened."
"Is this still about what I said after the fight,' she asked suspiciously.
"No! Well, okay, it is hard not thinking about it,' Wally replied. He seemed almost nervous now. "The thing is, I liked going out with you tonight, so I wanted it to continue."
Shayera liked this answer and smiled.
"Alright, Wally, where should we go,' she asked.
"Really? Fantastic, well, there's a hot new club someone told me about that I thought we could check out,' he said with excitement.
"Someone told you about? Who? Kara?"
"Well, yeah."
Shayera gave it some thought and it did sound like fun.
"Okay, let's do it, but we should help clean up first."
He beamed and then turned to the others. "Okay, people let's get this done!"
He became a blur and what seemed like only a second later, he was back in front of Shayera. All the toys were off the street and into the trucks. "Done!"
"You really have been thinking about it, haven't you,' she laughed and then lifted off the ground. "I'll meet you there. Oh, by the way, I'm still thinking about."
Wally's jaw fell open as he watched her rise into the air.
"I know she's probably joking, but there's a chance!"
He disappeared in the next moment.
Most of the clean up was done and the heroes were leaving. Dinah and Jonn had agreed to handle the media. They were discussing what they would say when Dinah happened to notice Plastic Man sulking off to the side. She had thought he'd left earlier.
"What's with him,' she asked Jonn. He turned and looked over at Plastic Man.
"You insulted him,' Jonn explained.
"I insulted him," Dinah said in surprise, but the look Jonn gave her made her rephrase the statement. "I always insult him, but he never acts like that."
"You laughed at Toyman," Jonn said.
"So?'
"That's Plastic Man's sort of calling card, Dinah, telling off color and risqué jokes,' Jonn continued. "You hate Plastic Man's jokes, but you laughed at Toyman's.
"Knights who say NI, I like Monty Python, Jonn," Dinah replied. "I got his joke, Plastic Man's are usually kind of stupid and not funny."
"I think you should apologize to him,' Jonn suggested.
"Why? I don't even like him,' Dinah protested. "I've told him every way I can think of but he doesn't get the message!"
"You're the President of the Justice League, Dinah,' Jonn countered. "That means you are responsible for everyone under you and their moral."
"I am?"
"Yes."
"I don't remember anyone telling me that when I got the job, Jonn,' Dinah replied. "I think you're just making stuff up now."
Jonn just looked at her with a stone face.
"Damn, I can't tell if you're lying or not,' she admitted. "All right, I'll apologize to the imbecile.'
Dinah looked at Jonn again. "Remind me to never play poker with you."
She didn't want to do it. The fact was Dinah really didn't like Plastic Man, but she was President.
"Plastic Man,' she said to him. He didn't turn, instead crossed his arms in front of him and lifted his chin as if indignant.
"Plastic Man," she repeated. "Look, I'm sorry about laughing at Toyman, okay?"
He still didn't reply. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
"You can hug me if you want to,' Dinah finally offered. His eyes went wide and a grin spread across his face. In the next moment he was a rubber band wrapped all around her.
"What-What the hell are you doing,' Dinah said as she squirmed.
"I knew you cared,' he happily replied. "I'm hugging you!"
"This is how an anaconda hugs, let go of me!"
He slithered away from her but was beaming. She was going to shout at him, but just shook her head and walked over to where Jonn was to talk to the reporters.
Clark had been watching all of this and had to smile. He turned and headed over to Diana.
"Looks like it's all over for now,' he said to her.
"Thank Hera, I just want to go home, Kal,' she said. His smile grew as he realized she was talking about the house in Gotham Heights.
"I'll meet you at the car, how about that?"
"Okay, I'll even let you drive,' Diana replied, teasing him just a little bit.
"Wow, you must be tired, Princess,' he teased back.
"I'll hit you when we get home, Kal," Diana said, lifting off into the sky.
"Yeah, I kind of expected that,' he mused as he followed.
Gotham Heights
The worshippers were gathering for another ceremony, but there was a different mood in the room. They were all dressed in their ornate robes and holding their ceremonial daggers. Just as they were about enter the rec room, Cubby stopped and looked at LuAnn. She silently nodded to him. He sighed and turned to face the others.
"What's the matter, Cubby,' Phil asked.
Cubby looked at everyone and then reached up and took off his pointy hat.
"People, I think we should talk,' Cubby said. "I've been thinking a lot about what Jenny said the other day."
"Me?" Jenny blushed and looked at the others." What-What did I say?"
"About what's the end game of what we're doing here,' Cubby replied.
"I said that,' Jenny asked.
"You were really high,' Dottie explained. Jenny shrugged and made a sheepish face.
"So what are you talking about Cubby,' Phil asked.
"Well, even if she was high,' Cubby started, glancing at Jenny. "What she brought up is a really good point. What is the goal here? Do we really want to conjure up Satan or some demon? I have to tell you, I've been thinking about it all week and I'm not sure I like that prospect. From everything I've read or heard, Satan's not really a very nice guy."
"Satan's a bad dude,' Carl agreed. Others nodded along.
"I'm not even sure I believe in Satan,' Bob offered.
"How's that," LuAnn asked.
"Well, he seems like kind of a cop out to me,' Bob continued. "You know if I take this ceremonial dagger and kill all of you, who's fault is it, anyway, Satan's or mine? Am I responsible for my actions or did some other supernatural power make me do it? If I slaughter you all right now, I'm the one that did it, no one else."
Bob held up the dagger and looked at it for a moment.
"Good point,' Jenny nervously offered. "How about just setting that dagger down for a moment, Bob?"
"Hmm?"
"I'll just collect everyone's,' Carl quickly said, carefully taking the dagger from Bob and then the others.
"Okay then,' Cubby said, breathing a sigh of relief. "The point is, I don't think this was ever about Satan, well, at least not for me."
"Satan showing up would ruin the carpet in the rec room," Carl, the dry cleaner pointed out.
"That's another good point,' Cubby replied. "Plus, frankly, I'm getting a little sick of goat meat. I mean, sure, once and awhile, but it's really starting to stack up in the freezer."
"We'll take some,' Dottie offered. "I've been wanting to try some new recipes anyway."
'Stop over tomorrow and I'll fix you up, Dottie,' LuAnn offered and then she looked at the other couples. "You're all welcome to some meat if you want it."
"I think I'm going to become a Vegan or that could just be the pot talking," Jenny said.
"We're kind of getting off track here, people,' Cubby interrupted. "The point I was trying to make I think we all got into this with the best intentions, but maybe it's time to reevaluate."
"I was scared I was going to lose my card shop,' Bob admitted. Others nodded in agreement.
"I think we were all scared at first,' Cubby said. "I know I was. I'd worked all my life to build something and then suddenly it seemed I might lose it overnight. I was kind of grasping for anything that might help."
The others understood what he was saying, as they had all had some lean times recently.
"I also really liked wearing the pointy hat,' Cubby admitted.
"If we're not going to do the sacrifices anymore, then what?' Betty spoke up for the first time.
"Yes, I feel like I've found something here, friends,' Nancy added.
"I think that's the good thing that came out of this,' Cubby offered. "We were all scared. You can feel so anonymous living out here in the suburbs. It's like we all live in these little nice bubbles of our own creation side by side with everyone, but never really get to know one another. You kind of lose a sense of community. Maybe I'm just talking for myself here, but the last few months with all of you has reminded me I'm not just a great aluminum siding salesman, but a person too. I think I was starting to forget that."
"I know what you're saying, Cubby,' Carl chimed in. "I spend so much time down at the dry cleaners, but I never thought it would define me."
"Yes,' Bob agreed. "I know owning a gift card shop sounds glamorous, but it's not from the inside. Strip away all the glitz and pizzazz and it's a lonely life."
Jenny and Dottie had fired up a joint at this point and nodded along with the others.
"So what now,' LuAnn asked. "If we're not Satan worshippers anymore, what are we?"
"I know I don't want to lose you all as friends,' Betty said.
"I don't either, Betty,' Cubby replied. "I just worry that the sacrifice and the worshipping was what brought us together. Now that we don't have it, will we drift apart? I find I don't want that to happen."
"We could do something else together, bowling,' Bob offered.
"Not really the same, Bob,' Jenny offered.
"Let's be orgy people,' Phil spoke up for the first time.
"What?" Everyone shouted in surprise.
"Orgy people,' Phil repeated. "I mean Cubby's already has the rec room all decked out; it would be perfect for an orgy. We could meet once a week like we're doing now, except instead of sacrificing goats, we get it on!"
"We could make a party out of it,' Dottie suggested. "It would be a lot easier to invite new people to an orgy rather than a satanic sacrifice."
"That's a good point,' Cubby admitted.
"We could invite Clark from across the street,' LuAnn immediately offered. "Oh, and his wife, of course."
"I'd be up for that, figuratively and literally,' Carl added wth a chuckle.
Cubby looked at LuAnn and then the others.
"An orgy? Well, okay, if that's what everyone wants,' he said. "I guess we should take a vote on it or something. All in favor raise your hand."
Everyone immediately raised his or her hands.
"You could even wear the pointy hat, Cubby,' Jenny suggested, as she exhaled smoke.
"Good point," Cubby replied, "Probably the robes too, but that would mean more dry cleaning, Carl."
"Not really, I've never been to an orgy, but I'd imagine everyone strips them off before things get started."
"So we'd be nudists too," Dottie excitedly said. "We really are becoming hippies!"
Gotham
Dinah stood on the edge of a building rooftop scanning the city. It had been a couple of days since the bank robbery and things were settling down. She'd had a long talk with Ollie and while they weren't back together they had rediscovered their friendship. They'd been able to talk without the anger or shouting. She listened to his concerns and tried to explain what was going through her mind to him. She wasn't sure if he really understood, but at least they were talking again.
A relationship, with anyone, wasn't a top priority for her at the moment. The more she got into the crime fighting life, the more she found it was all she wanted to do. How could she ask anyone, even Ollie to try and share that mission with her? To be with a civilian seemed to be putting them at unnecessary risk. What if someone found out about their connection, she thought, they might use it against her? She didn't want anyone innocent to suffer because of her, especially if she cared for them. Maybe in the future it would change, but right now, the mission had to come first.
He didn't even make a sound, but she knew he was there.
"I expected you sooner, rather than later,' she said, not turning around.
"I had something to do this evening,' he replied.
"Dinner with Zee?"
"Why would you say that,' Bruce asked.
"Just a guess,' Dinah offered. "You two have been pretty cozy lately."
"We're friends,' he said in a flat tone.
"Good friends,' she said, hinting without saying it.
"It's not like that, her show ends this week is all,' he quickly replied.
"Relax, Bruce, I wasn't suggesting you two were going to try what Diana and Clark are,' Dinah said with a laugh. "I mean you could never do that in a million years."
"I think I could," he protested. "I mean if Diana and Clark can, I'm sure I could."
"I wouldn't bet on it,' she chuckled.
"Oh, you wouldn't?"
"Look, just forget it, okay,' Dinah replied, turning finally to look at him. "You came to see what I'm doing in your city, didn't you?"
"Yes."
She looked at him, the black cape covering most of his body. There was something so elemental about his look, as if he belongs to the night. If she was going to do what she wanted, she knew she would have to get his agreement. It was his city, after all.
"I think I can do some good here, Bruce,' she began. "Not on the big stuff, but some of the little stuff at first. I've talked to Barbara about it and she agrees."
"Are you asking my permission,' he said, a little surprised by this.
"In a way, yes,' she admitted. "I know we talked about this before, but you when realize what you want to do, Bruce, you want to get on with it. At least that's the way I feel, do you know what I mean?"
"Yes, I do,' he replied. "It's not an easy thing, Dinah. Everything has its costs. You don't even realize all of them at first."
"I know, but it's what I have to do,' she said.
"Then you don't really need my permission, do you?'
She had glanced out over the city before turning back to answer him, but he was already gone. Dinah guessed that was as close as she was going to get to a welcome from him. She could live with that.
Gotham Heights
There were only a couple days left to the bet or as Diana thought about it, one day, fourteen hours, twenty-seven minutes and thirty two seconds left. The last few days had been the longest of her life. She had taken more baths and cold showers then she could ever remember. Her dreams had been getting more vivid and sultry with each passing night. If she were to put it crassly, she was really, really horny.
It was a completely new and not all-together bad feeling. It was frustrating being so close to what she wanted, yet not able to have it, just yet. Each morning she would wake up in Kal's arms and it felt so good, she didn't want to get up. She'd begun to imagine if every morning started like that, she would have no complains. It was strange though; she was waiting for her marriage to be over, so she could sleep with her husband.
As distracted as she was, perhaps there was a benefit to it, Diana thought. Because they couldn't do what she wanted to do, they had to fill their time with other things. They talked for hours about everything and anything. She felt she knew Kal, really knew him now. So many questions and misunderstandings she'd had about the man were finally coming into focus for her.
Diana realized that she had always been a little like everyone else, thinking they were so much alike, but now she saw this was far from the truth. It wasn't the Princess and the farm boy thing, either. They might share similar goals and outlooks, but other fundamental things they were completely different. Disposition, approaches, tastes, opinions, basic temperament and so many other things they were nothing alike. Some of these complimented each other very well, while others meant they would clash, but that was all right too.
Diana realized this was what a real relationship meant. In the fairy tale everything is happily ever after, but a real life relationship was something they would have to work at constantly. She was also realizing she had a rather powerful hold on Kal and was just starting to understand the full impact she could have. The fact that he had the same impact on her was becoming more apparent with each passing day. One day, thirteen hours, forty-three minutes and sixteen seconds she thought.
The door to the kitchen opened and Clark walked in. He smiled when he saw her. He'd been swimming. After drying off, he'd put on his pants and grabbed a shirt feeling like some breakfast. The shirt wasn't buttoned and he wasn't wearing any shoes as he came up behind her.
"What are you doing,' he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I'm-I'm trying to make breakfast,' she stammered, immediately feeling herself react to his touch.
"You?"
"Yes, me, why do you say it like that,' she asked, turning in his arms to look at him.
"Have you ever made breakfast or anything before,' he gently asked.
"No, but it doesn't seem that hard,' she replied. "You put two slices of bread in the machine and press the little handle down on the side."
"That's toast, Diana, not really breakfast,' he said with a smirk. "How about coffee?"
"You already made it before I got up,' she admitted.
"Why don't I show you how to make something a little harder, French toast?"
"How much harder,' she asked.
"Not much, but I think you'll like it,' he replied and then got a bowl out and went over to the refrigerator. He got some eggs, some half and half and a few other ingredients out and set them on the counter. Diana watched all of this with keen interest. He picked up one of the eggs and held it up to her.
"This is a egg, Diana,' he said.
"I know what an egg is, Kal,' she grumbled.
"Just starting from the basics up,' he joked. He cracked the egg on the side of the bowl and emptied the yoke into it. Looking at her again, he held up the shells and tossed them into the waste can.
"I'm not an imbecile, Kal,' Diana protested.
"All right, then do the other eggs,' he suggested, stepping back. She looked at him smiling and knew it was a challenge. A teasing challenge from him, but a challenge just the same. Waving him to take another step back, she moved over and confidently picked up an egg. She gave him a look and held up the egg, mimicking him from just a moment before. Diana then tapped the egg against the side of the bowl. Just a little too hard with the first one and the second. She spent the next few minutes picking the pulverized shell fragments from the bowl. Finally she finished and turned to him.
"There," she said.
He smiled and moved next to her, adding some of the other ingredients.
"Okay, now you need to beat it together,' he said, holding out a whisk for her. Diana gave him a look and then snatched the whisk from his hand. It seemed simple enough, she thought. He watched her for a moment and then stopped her.
"You're not beating it into submission, Diana," he said, moving up behind her. "Here, like this."
He leaned in close, gently covering her hand in his and showed her what he meant. Diana could feel his body pressed against her and a tremor go through her body. One day, thirteen hours, eleven minutes and five seconds she thought. When he stepped away, she realized she'd been holding her breath and slowly let it out.
He cut several slices of fresh French bread he'd bought the night before and handed them to her. She took them and just looked at him.
"One at a time, soak them in mixture, while I turn on the stove,' he suggested. She nodded and turned back to the bowl. She placed the first slice in the mixture and stood there looking at it, not sure what else she was suppose to do. Again he came up behind her, leaning against her.
"Make sure they are thoroughly soaked, Diana,' he whispered, his lips very closed to her ear. A stray thought about the word soaked in another context passed across her mind, but she pushed it away and tried to concentrate on the French toast.
"Don't be afraid to get your hands in there,' he whispered, gently taking her hands in his and showing her how to saturate the bread.
'Oh, that's good, Diana, very good,' he whispered. "Now put it on the pan and let's do another one."
As each slice went into the mixture and their hands made sure it was saturated, he leaned even more into her. She could fell every inch of him and his breath against her earlobe and neck. When he shifted slightly against her, Diana almost moaned.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you, Kal, 'she finally managed to say.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Diana,' he playfully whispered to her. "I'm just showing you how to make French toast. Don't you like it?"
"Yes,' she whispered, closing her eyes and leaning back into him.
"I hope you have an appetite this morning, Diana."
"Oh, I do, I do,' she whispered. It came out as almost a moan.
"Good, cause the toast is ready for the oven,' he cheerfully said and stepped away from. Diana leaned against the counter for a moment, trying to get herself under control, as she heard him open the oven and put the pan in. Finally she turned and glared at him.
"You're teasing me,' she stated.
"Who? Me,' he innocently asked.
"Yes, Kal, you,' she fired back. "It's not fair."
"How so?"
"You know I made a promise, yet you continue,' she explained.
"Sort of like what you were doing when it was me that made the promise,' he countered.
"That-That's not the same,' she protested.
"How?"
"Well…' she started, but then stopped. She tried to come up with a reason other then that was him and now it was her. "I-I never lied to you."
"How did I lie,' he asked.
"You said that thing about every time you look at me how you want me just to get me all worked up," she offered. "I never did that to you. Its cruel."
His expression changed at hearing this. The smile vanished and he was very serious.
"I wasn't lying to you, Diana,' he said. "I'll admit I've been teasing you a little, but not about that."
This was the point where he'd usually stop, but as he looked at Diana, Clark didn't want to stop this time. He'd been dancing around it, saying it to himself, but now he wanted to say it to her.
"I'm in love with you, Diana,' he said simply. "I know this has been a crazy situation and a very short time, but I find I can't deny it any longer. I meant what I said. I find you the most beautiful, fascinating woman I've ever known. Yes, when I look at you, I'm thinking how much I want you, but also how much I'm falling in love with you. I wanted that to be something special, just between you and me. No matter what happens after this is over or where we are, I want when our eyes meet for you to know that's what I'm thinking."
He moved slowly over to her and took her in his arms. Diana felt a little giddy as she gazed into his eyes and kissed him.
"Oh, Kal, I love you too,' she whispered between kisses.
One day, twelve hours, fifty-eight minutes and three seconds.