Chapter Twenty-Three

Downtown

Metropolis

United States

08:48 – Eastern Standard Time

March 15, 2007

Clark Kent sat down behind his desk and ran his hand through his hair before starting up his computer. Stress was what he was feeling. He had only just returned from the Watchtower an hour earlier and now he was going to have to do eight hours at work while his mind was not on the job. It was elsewhere entirely.

A lot of calls and a lot of anguish. Hours and hours had been spent trying to get answers, trying to get the incarcerated leaguers freed. It had all been a huge waste of time.

He realised the login screen was staring at him. He put in his username and password then waited for it to log in.

That was when Jimmy Olson seemingly jumped out of nowhere. "Hey Clark, everything okay?"

"Everything's just fine, Jimmy," he replied miserably. "Everything alright with you?"

Jimmy pulled out an SD memory card from his pocket. "I got some sweet pics from that fight with the alien ship last night. That new camera I got is really cool. You wanna see?"

Clark rubbed his eyes. "Sorry Jimmy, can you show me later?"

"Come on Clark. You seriously telling me you don't want to see these?" he asked in disbelief, waving the memory card back and forth. "They have aliens in them."

"I'll take a look, Jimmy," Lois said as she sat behind her own desk. "Considering Perry put me on the story."

Clark looked over at her. "I thought you were doing that interview with Mercy Graves over at LexCorp today?" he questioned.

Lois smirked. "I'll let Perry give you the news regarding that."

As though he had bee listening in and waiting for his cue, Perry White opened the door to his office and looked out. "Kent get over here. I need to talk to you."

Clark locked his computer and stood up, promptly making his way over to the boss. "Yes, sir?"

"I've put Lois on the alien story. A lot went down last night and I need her on that. I want you to take her place interviewing Mercy Graves. This is an exclusive for the Daily Planet, not many people get a sit down with her, so don't screw it up."

"I won't."

"And don't do your disappearing act, understood?"

"Loud and clear, sir."

"Good. You need to be there at half-two this afternoon."

"I'll be there."

"Good." Perry went back into his office, slamming the door shut behind him.

Clark turned around and headed back to his desk.

"Hey Smallville," Lois called over. "There's shots of some black-haired Krypton girl punching things and shooting eye-lasers. You think she's the same one at the Metro Tower yesterday morning?"

He looked at her, not catching what she had said. "What?"

"I know it was your day off yesterday, but don't tell me you missed everything that happened? You know aliens attacked, right?"

"No, I didn't miss it," he said as he stepped over to Lois' desk to look at the images Jimmy had taken.

"How close were you?" he asked the young photographer noticing that the shots seemed to have been taken a little close to the action.

"I managed to get pretty near," he told him. "It happened a few blocks away from my apartment. I also got a new camera with a really long lens. First time I got to try it out."

"These are pretty good. Did you get a picture of the Justice League getting arrested?"

Jimmy shook his head. "I was on the roof. I did catch it on the news this morning, though. You should look online, people are threatening to protest outside the White House until they're released."

Clark couldn't help but smile at that.

"I'm gonna try and see if I can get in touch with Superman," Lois said. "Get his thoughts on what's going on. There was no mention of him getting taken in, so with luck, he wasn't."

"He's probably a bit busy right now," Clark pointed out.

"No Kidding," Jimmy said.

"So did Perry give you the interview at Lexcorp?" Lois asked. Clark nodded. "I don't pity you," she told him. "I don't trust her, so watch yourself."

"I can handle her, don't worry."

"I do worry Clark. She's very smart. Don't let her lead you on. Probe her, get the truth. But try and make it seem like it was her choice. We don't want to blow any future chances of getting a one-on-one."

"Don't worry, Lois. I know what I'm doing."

"Since when?" she asked sarcastically. "Remember you're in the big city now, Smallville. If you want, I can send you the questions I had prepared?"

"I've been here for a decade, Lois. You don't have to talk to me like I'm fresh off the bus."

"Prove me wrong then country boy," she said with a smirk.

"I will," he said sitting back behind his desk.

"Still want those questions I prepared?"

He shook his head. "No, I'll write down my own."

"Suit yourself. I'm going to study Jimmy's photos some more."

Clark put her insults out of his mind and got to work.

New Brighton

Central City

United States

08:36 – Central Standard Time

March 15, 2007

Wally West put the key in the door, then paused. He could hear what sounded like the TV which gave him hope that Giganta was still here and hadn't decided to ditch him after he had all but ditched her.

He twisted the key and slowly pushed it open, stepping inside. After closing and locking it, he headed further in, finding her asleep on the couch.

He moved over to the kitchen and decided to make breakfast for her. It was the least he could do after last night.

Reluctantly, he kept his communicator in his ear. He knew that he had to be ready for anything.

When Batman had returned, he had given them what he had learned from Waller. It wasn't good news, but they all knew it could be far worse.

Giganta stirred on the couch and then sat up. She looked over at him with a frown.

"You weren't arrested then," she commented.

"You heard about that?" he asked.

"On the news. There was a protest at City Hall this morning, 'cause people thought you'd been taken in."

He smiled. "What can I say? The people of this city love me."

"Yeah," she said with melancholy. "It must be nice to have people protest because you've been incarcerated."

"Lucky for you, I haven't been," he said.

"Those people protesting think you have," she pointed out. She picked up the remote and switched off the television, which was currently showing some cooking show. "So what happens now?"

"I make you breakfast."

She rolled her eyes. "No, after that."

"We could go out if you want?"

"And go where?"

"Anywhere. Just the two of us."

"How about the mall?"

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "We can't be spending money," he said, hoping he didn't disappoint her. "I don't have much and I need to save it."

"Okay, how about you get your camera and we go take some shots? I still have my pink number in my bag."

"I think that'll be too recognisable. They'd see you in that and immediately think 'Giganta'."

"Okay, what do you suggest?" she asked him. "I don't think t-shirt and jeans will do."

He sighed. "I guess we go to the mall after all."

She smiled. "I promise I won't get anything too expensive."

"I'm going to regret this aren't I?" Wally said.

"Just think about it this way. If I'm successful, I'll have a job."

Wally began to nod. He liked the idea of her having a real, legal job, but he didn't really like the idea of having to spend money he didn't really have at that moment. "I guess," he said after a moment. "I suppose I could always ask Bats for a couple of bucks if things get too bad."

"He's the rich one I guess?"

"Yeah."

Giganta smirked. "Maybe I should try to hook up with him instead."

Wally frowned. "Hey!"

"I'm joking," she said with a chuckle. "He seems as much fun as a bag of dead puppies."

"Nah, he's alright once you get to know him."

"Well, that's not going to happen anytime soon. He'd sooner hand me over to the cops than talk to me."

"Probably," Wally agreed.

"So, are we heading out soon or are we just gonna talk about Batman?"

"Let us have breakfast first, then I'll get my camera and my wallet and we can go."

"Sounds like a plan."

Kent Farm

Smallville

United States

09:12 – Central Standard Time

March 15, 2007

Dressed in civilian clothing, Kara stepped onto the porch and knocked lightly on the door. She waited till it was pulled open by Jonathan. He looked at her with concern.

"I'm so glad you're here," he said. "Both Martha and I saw the news. Is it true?"

"Can I come in?" she asked him.

"Oh yes, of course," he said moving aside.

She stepped inside and he closed the door behind him as the two made their way into the lounge.

"Kara's here," he said to his wife.

"Oh good. I was worried. Please, sit down, do you want a drink?"

Kara shook her head as she took a seat on the sofa. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine."

Jonathan sat down in his armchair. "Tell us, what happened yesterday?"

"You want me to start from the beginning?" she asked.

"Yes," Martha said. "But tell us first, is Clark okay?"

"Yeah. He's at the Daily Planet right now, but things are really bad."

"We saw on the news," Jonathan told her.

She leant back, rubbing her eyes with her palms. "It's a mess," she said with a sigh. "Clark thought it would be best if I got off the Watchtower and stayed here till everything blows over." She rested her hands on her lap, looking at Martha then to Jonathan. "So I guess I can fulfil that promise to help rejuvenate this place."

"Don't feel obligated," Martha said. "We honestly don't mind if the farm quietly winds down."

"You might not mind it, but is it what you really want?" Kara asked them sincerely.

"Honestly?" Jonathan said as he began shaking his head. "We want grandkids. We want this place to feel alive again. But we know that can't happen. So why hold onto a dream?"

Kara's heart fell at those words. "I don't know what to say to that," she said softly. "Clark has Lois, but she doesn't see him as anything but a co-worker. It's Superman she likes. As for me? I've been away for a decade. I don't really know anyone anymore. Not that I did before."

"Been only a year or so to us," Martha said. "And what about that Jimmy boy?"

Kara couldn't help but laugh at that. "Jimmy Olson?" she asked in disbelief.

"What's wrong with Jimmy?" Jonathan asked. "We've met him. He seemed like a nice boy. And as I recall you liked him."

"I was friendly to him, but I never like liked him or anything, not like that anyway. That would never work."

"Why wouldn't it work with Jimmy?" Martha questioned. "Jonathan's right, he's a very nice boy."

"Boy is exactly right. He's nice and all, but-" She paused.

"But what?" Martha asked.

Kara gave them a sideways look, uncertain how they would take what she was about to say. "He's a bit of a dweeb."

"That's not nice," Jonathan said, disappointed. "He's a lovely young man."

"And not my type at all. Sorry, but me and Olson have about as much chance of happening as me and Metallo."

"Alright," Martha said, holding up her hands in defeat. "I won't force you. But at least talk to him before you make up your mind."

"Okay, okay, I will," she said, even though she had no intention of doing.

"That's all we ask."

Kara was glad to have that out of the way. "Anything else you need?" she asked them.

"You wouldn't mind heading into town and picking up some groceries for us would you?" Jonathan inquired.

Martha slapped his knee. "Don't be so rude."

Kara laughed as she stood up. "Actually, I don't mind. I'll get them for you, it's no trouble."

"Still know how to drive the truck?" he asked her.

Kara shrugged. "It's been a decade, but I think I'll be okay."

"Your licence is still in the glove box," Jonathan told her. "Not sure how the photo holds up."

"It'll be close enough," she said. "So, you got a list of what you want?"

Jonathan reached into his pocket. "Actually, I do. Martha wanted me to go in this afternoon and pick up some essentials."

Kara took the list off of him. "Keys in the usual place?"

Jonathan nodded in affirmation and she headed out.

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

10:26 – Station Time (EST)

March 15, 2007

Nightwing stood at the large window and stared down at Earth below. This had quickly become his favourite part of the station, mostly because of its relative solitude. But this wasn't where he was meant to be. Five years ago, sure. He was still on relatively good terms with Batman, but now?

When he had accepted to join, he had thought it would quench something inside him that had been brewing for a while. He now realised that it wasn't a change as a vigilante or 'hero' that he needed, but that he needed a change altogether. He wasn't Bruce, he didn't want to be doing this forever.

He pushed the thoughts from his mind, or at least, he tried to. He didn't know what he wanted in life. Being a regular guy wasn't fulfilling. Being the rich ward of a billionaire just made him feel like a fake and wearing the costume and fighting crime now just made him feel hollow.

He sensed a presence and looked around to see Starfire stood in the corridor looking at him with a worried expression.

"Are you feeling sad?" she asked him simply.

He looked back down to Earth. "I have some things on my mind," he responded honestly.

She stepped up next to him and looked down at the planet. "I have asked to go down to your Earth, where my brother is," she told him.

He glanced at her. "So you're heading down there?"

"They said that someone would have to come with me. I suggested the Nightwing, I suggested you. The man in green said yes as long as you agreed."

"You want me to take you down there? Your brother's gone to the Tower of Fate, right?"

"That is what I am told."

"I've never been there. I don't even know what it looks like."

"They said they would use their device to send us down there. We will not have far to look."

Nightwing was about to refuse when he realised that doing so would be a very Batman thing to do.

"Okay," he said. "I'll go to Salem with you."

She let out a cry of joy. The next thing he knew, she was hugging him. Except if felt like his spine was about to be snapped in two and his ribs crushed.

"Crushing," he managed to wheeze.

She let him go and he staggered backwards, taking in lungfuls of air.

"Are you well?" she asked him

"Holy crap you're strong," he said, leaning up against the wall for support.

"I did not hurt you, did I?"

"You only nearly crushed me to death."

She looked at him with alarm. "I did not know humans were so weak and fragile."

He frowned at the insult. He didn't really like being called weak. He especially didn't want to be thought of as fragile.

"I will have to be careful in the future," she said more to herself than to Nightwing.

"Yeah well, let's head to the teleporter. If you really have permission, then we should be able to head straight down."

She looked at him with a blank expression. "If?" she repeated. "You do not believe that I have permission?"

"I didn't mean it like that," he said, backtracking slightly. "Come on, let's go."

He moved off down the corridor, Starfire close behind.

10:31 – Station Time (EST)

John Stewart stepped back into the medbay, finding Shayera awake, sitting in a chair by the bed reading a book. She looked up and smiled.

"Come to visit the cripple?" she asked with more than a hint of sarcasm.

"Nice to see you're out of the bed," he said.

"Yeah, it is. I have to go for a final scan, later on, to make sure there's nothing they missed."

"They have an estimate until you can resume duty?"

Her face fell. "A month at best," she told him. "It all depends on how well they set my wing. They're just not experienced with Thanagarias."

"We could have done with Doc Lester up here," he mused. "Pity she turned out to be untrustworthy."

"We could have done with her, sure," she agreed. "But the doctor and staff up here did okay. Not stellar, just okay."

"High standards you've got there," he said, pulling up a chair.

She closed the book and put it aside. "You shouldn't be doing this," she told him seriously.

"Doing what?"

"You know what I'm talking about, John. What about Mari?"

He looked down at the floor, webbing his fingers as they lay in his lap. "It's complicated."

"It always was," Shayera said. "Was she arrested like the others?"

He nodded in affirmation. "At this point, I'm not sure there's a future between us."

"Why's that?"

"One of the last things she said to me, before I went to look for you after the missile had exploded. She said that me and her were kidding ourselves."

"So you thought that I'd run back into your arms?" Shayera asked distastefully.

"No, I didn't. I care for you. I-" he trailed off.

"You what?" she asked.

"I love you," he revealed to her. "I never stopped. The thing is I also love Mari and it wasn't fair to her to just quit our relationship just because you were back in the picture."

"You asked her to marry you. I've been led to believe it didn't go well."

"No, she refused."

"You think she was leading you on?"

"No. I don't think she was ready. I'm not sure she's the type of woman who would ever be ready. I don't think that sort of commitment is in her nature."

"It's in yours, though, isn't it," Shayera observed.

"Yes," he acknowledged. "I'm a soldier, I always will be. My life is one commitment after another. Marriage is the one that's always eluded me. I wanted to fill the void. It wasn't to be."

Shayera looked at him long and hard before speaking. "You're worried time is running out, aren't you?"

He looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"You're not young John. You're worried you're going to one day be old and alone."

"Maybe."

"I can't fill the void," she told him firmly. He stared at her. "I'm not going to run into your arms just because things between you and Mari haven't worked out."

He looked away, casting his gaze down to the floor. Not only had he lost one, he had lost both. He knew that he was the only one to blame.

He felt her hand on his arm. He looked over to Shayera. "Look, I do love you," she told him sincerely. "Maybe one-day things will be as they were before. But that's not going to be today. I'm sorry."

"I wasn't expecting you to run into my arms," he told her honestly. "I don't know what I was expecting. I guess I wanted to know that you were alright."

"I am. Thank you."

"You need anything? A drink, something to eat?"

"No, I'm good thanks."

"Okay," he said rubbing his hands against his knees. He looked over to the book. "What're you reading?"

"A mystery novel. Found it in the cupboard by the bed. Thought I'd read it."

"Any good?"

"The protagonist spends too much time procrastinating over clues and not enough time acting on them."

"So boring then?"

"A little. I'm hoping something interesting happens soon."

The two were interrupted as a nurse and doctor stepped into the room.

"Sorry to interrupt," the doctor said apologetically. "We're ready to do the final deep scan. If nothing comes up, then we'll be releasing you."

"Good," she said standing up.

The doctor shook his head and stepped aside as the nurse pushed a wheelchair into the room.

"Please sit down on this."

"My legs work fine," Shayera told them.

"Please sit down," the doctor repeated once more.

She glanced sideways to John who shrugged at her.

"Fine," she relented as she sat down on it, her wings covering the handles on the back.

"Oh," the doctor said. "I guess we didn't take your wings into account."

Shayera stood back up. "Let's just walk there and stop messing around."

"Maybe you're right," the doctor agreed. "Follow me, it's just down the way."

John watched her leave. He picked up the book and read the title and author. It wasn't anyone he recognised. He put it back down and left the med bay.

Tower of Fate

Salem

United States

10:42 – Eastern Standard Time

March 15, 2007

Nightwing and Starfire had been at the base of the tall tower for a few minutes. They had circled around it almost five times looking for an entrance and the two of them were growing frustrated.

"How can there not be a way in?" Nightwing demanded.

"I could make one?" Starfire suggested.

He looked at her for a few moments before dismissing it. "I don't think we want to start punching holes in the walls just yet." He pointed upwards. "We should try the roof first."

A female voice spoke from behind them, "No need."

They both looked around to see a woman with tanned skin standing there.

"Come," she told them. A glowing golden ankh appeared against the wall and she stepped through it. Nightwing and Starfire glanced at each other before following her through.

As the light faded the two stared at the impossible architecture in front of them. Not only was the tower a magnitude larger than it appeared on the outside it also didn't seem to follow the rules of three dimensions. Instead, the architecture in places seemed to fold in on itself in impossible ways.

The woman began to ascend the impossible staircase. He tried to follow her with his eyes, but he found it hard to understand what he was seeing.

He felt an extremely tight and painful grip on his arm. He looked to see Starfire holding onto him. "I do not like this place. It is making me feel dizzy."

"Let's just follow her," he said, before adding mentally; or at least try to. Things in this place didn't exactly make logical sense.

He made his way forward towards the staircase. Starfire followed, still gripping his arm tightly.

Nightwing stopped when he realised he was losing all feeling in his arm. "Could you let go, please?" he asked.

She released him and he felt the fuzz of pins and needles almost immediately. He flexed his hand, which sent a wave of static-like pain up his arm. He ignored it as the two headed up the stairs.

A good five minutes later they reached the top, where the woman was waiting for them.

"I don't think I introduced myself," she said. "I am Inza."

"I'm Night-" he stopped. "I'm Richard," he told her.

"And I am Koriand'r, known as Starfire in your language."

"Pleased to meet you. I suppose you want to see your brother, Koriand'r," Inza said more as a statement than a question.

"Yes, I would like that very much."

"This way."

They headed through a door into a room where Ryand'r was sat seemingly talking with Zatanna.

Starfire flew to her brother and gave him a hug. Meanwhile, Zatanna stood up and made her way over to Nightwing.

"Wasn't expecting to see you down here," the magician commented.

"Starfire wanted to see her brother."

"Understandable," Zatanna said.

The two of them made their way over to the two Tamaraneans and sat down on the long sofa.

Nightwing looked around. "So, where's Fate?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Inza responded, "I don't actually know. He went off on his own a few days ago and hasn't been back since."

"Oh," Nightwing said.

"Would you like a drink?"

"Water," Nightwing said.

"How about Starfire?"

"Do you have mustard?"

Nightwing, Zatanna and Inza all gave her a confused look. "Mustard?" Inza questioned. "No, I was asking if you want a drink?"

"Yes. The Earth beverage mustard is very nice. If not that, then Vinegar is also pleasant."

Inza looked at Nightwing who simply shrugged. "I'll get you both a glass of water," she said after a moment, before moving off to fetch them their drinks.

Updated December 2017