Chapter 30: Night Off
Night in Metropolis
At the offices of the Daily Planet, Clark Kent was at his desk, wrapping up an article.
"The… senator… declined to comment." Clark read off as he finished up.
Suddenly, a pair of hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who." the voice of Lois Lane urged.
"You know, this doesn't really work on me." Clark remarked.
Lois grunted, removing her hands and giving Clark a glare as she sat on the corner of his desk.
"You could at least pretend for pete's sake, Smallville." she chastised.
"Sorry." He replied. "What's up?"
"Got any plans tonight?" Lois asked. "Any business to take care of?"
"Batman's on monitor duty tonight, so I'm free." he answered. "Why?"
"Well, Jenkin's still suffering that bad case of salmonella, so Perry needs someone to cover the grand opening of that italian restaurant." Lois explained. "It's geared towards young couples, so I figured I'd snag the job and drag you there with me as my plus one."
"Sounds fun." Clark replied. "What time should I pick you up?"
"Seven." She told him, sliding off his desk and giving his tie a flick. "Make sure to wear a suit, and I don't mean the blue one."
"Right." Clark remarked as she walked off.
…
That night, Clark arrived at Lois' apartment dressed in a nice suit and bowtie. Once he found her door, he knocked on it, waiting for her to answer. The door opened to reveal Lois in a long black dress with a slit in the side reaching just halfway up her thigh. She held a small black clutch in her hands and her hair was done up in an artful bun.
"Wow…" he let out. "You look great."
"You clean up pretty nice yourself, Smallville." Lois replied. "Shall we?"
Clark nodded as he held out his arm for her. She took it and the two went downstairs.
…
After hailing a cab, the two rode off towards the restaurant. Once they arrived, Clark opened the door for Lois, offering a hand to help her out.
"You weren't kidding about this place." Clark remarked. "It's certainly high class."
"You have no idea." Lois replied, getting out of the cab. "I heard the waiting list has been piling up for weeks. I don't know how Perry snagged a reservation, but I am glad he did."
"Certainly lucky for us." Clark replied as they went inside.
…
Once they went inside, they took their seats at a table near a balcony and glanced at the menus. Lois whistled at the prices.
"Sheesh, look at this." she remarked. "I'm glad Perry's paying for this."
"Tell me about it." Clark replied. "Honestly, this place seems like somewhere Bruce would go."
"Right." Lois chuckled. "Probably on information gathering missions disguised as dates."
"Yeah," Clark remarked. "Sorry about that."
"You didn't know." Lois assured him. "Besides, you came to my rescue when I texted, so I say that makes it even."
"Fair enough." Clark replied.
"And honestly, it wasn't my worst date." Lois admitted. "That honor belongs to a date I had with, get this, Lex Luthor."
"You and Lex?" Clark let out. "Seriously?"
"I don't know what I was thinking when I said yes, but I instantly regretted it." Lois informed him. "Turned me off men with money in a heartbeat."
"Good news for me then." Clark jeered.
"You know I didn't mean it like that, Clark." She snorted.
"I know, I know." Clark reassured.
The waiter came by their table and took out his pad and paper.
"Are we ready to begin?" he asked.
…
Sometime later, Clark and Lois were so wrapped up in conversation that they barely remembered to write anything down for their review.
"So, let me get this straight," Lois responded. "You actually fought the Greek god of war, and won?"
"Pretty much." Clark confirmed. "Although most of the credit goes to Wonder Woman and the Amazons."
"Sounds like it was a heck of a show." Lois remarked.
"Believe me, it was." Clark agreed. "I think that was the first time I ever felt vulnerable."
"What about when Lex sent a Kryptonite powered battle suit to kill you?" Lois reminded.
"Okay, second time." Clark amended.
"Brainiac." Lois went on. "Oh, and when Joker-"
"Okay, okay, you've made your point." Clark interjected.
"Just saying, even Superman has his off moments." Lois replied.
"However few and far between they might be." a new voice remarked.
Clark and Lois turned to see Lex Luthor standing before them with a smug smile on his face.
"Luthor." Lois said civilly, her face dropping to a neutral expression. "What are you doing here?"
"Surveying the opening of my new restaurant." Lex replied. "I was just checking on some of the other guests when I saw you here, Lois."
"Your new restaurant?" Clark inquired.
"Of course." Lex answered. "I do have investments in more than robotics and technologies. I've always had a love for the culinary arts and felt Metropolis needed somewhere that it could expand its cultural-"
"Save us the press statement." Lois cut off.
"My, Lois, you seem quite snippy today." Lex noted. "Was it something I said?"
"Said, did, pick one." Lois remarked.
"Well, I'll leave you to your meals." Luthor decided. "You ordered the veal, yes? I remember it was your favorite."
"Yes, it was." Lois replied.
He walked off as Lois grabbed her clutch.
"C'mon, Smallville." she declared. "I've lost my appetite."
"Don't let Lex get to you." Clark told her. "He gets under everyone's skin."
"Mine, especially." Lois remarked. "We already know Lex will go all out, and frankly, I don't feel comfortable knowing he's hovering around the corner."
"Fair enough." Clark relented. "Let's go."
…
The two hailed a taxi and made a stop at a small diner, sitting down in a corner booth. Lois munched on a chicken salad as Clark enjoyed some chicken fried steak, the former giving a smile.
"Now this I give five stars." she declared, holding up her fork and using it to gesture to her plate.
"I just hope we had enough for the review." Clark replied. "Still, I'll take this stuff over that place any day."
"Cheers to that." Lois declared, holding up her soda glass.
Clark lifted his and they tapped them together, going back to their meal.
Fast Lanes
Iris stood outside of the Central City Picture News, checking the time on her phone for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. As she looked up once more, Barry came speeding up to her, a bouquet of flowers in his hands. Unfortunately, most of them had lost their petals in the sheer winds of his speed, and those that didn't instantly caught fire. Barry saw this and immediately threw the flowers to the ground, stomping out the flames.
"Those were a lot nicer when I bought them." Barry promised.
"I'll take your word for it." Iris replied, laughing a bit. "Thanks for the flowers, such as they were."
"You're welcome." Barry replied. "Sorry if I kept you waiting too long."
"Actually, you're early for your usual time. I was only here for 10 minutes rather than my usual 20-30."
"Huh." Barry remarked. "Guess I'm getting better at that. Anyway, ready to go?"
"Depends, are you ready for what's to come?"
"Oh, I am more than ready." Barry promised.
"Then let's go." Iris declared.
…
Minutes later, the two entered The 300 Bowling Alley, giddy smiles gracing both their faces.
"Man, it has been ages since we've been bowling." Iris let out.
"Not since we were teens." Barry recalled.
"As I recall, I still held the streak for most consecutive wins." Iris boasted. "And I think I'm going to expand on that streak today."
"Well, things have certainly changed since then." Barry reminded.
"I don't think super speed is gonna help you in bowling." Iris told him.
"I'm more than my speed, Iris." Barry insisted.
"If you say so." Iris remarked. "Let's bowl."
…
As the game progressed, the two were neck and neck, picking up spares and high numbers of pins. Iris managed to get a small lead on Barry, one she had an incredibly tentative hold of.
"Looks like I'm keeping that winning streak after all." Iris declared happily as she pulled off a second spare.
"Games not over yet." Barry promised.
"You seem pretty confident for a guy who's down by about 20 points." Iris quipped. "Besides, this is the 10th frame and I've got this in the bag."
"Maybe, but I still have a chance to seize victory." Barry countered.
"Alright then," Iris replied. "Loser buys dinner."
"You are so gonna regret making that bet." Barry promised.
"Oh shut up and bowl." Iris pressed.
Barry obliged as he grabbed his bowling ball and tossed it down the alley. Much to both of their surprise, he got a strike.
"No way." Iris let out.
"Still think you have a chance?" Barry asked.
"You'll need another strike to beat me."
"Then get ready for strike to." Barry remarked, reclaiming his ball as he came back up.
He bowled again, sending it rolling right towards the pins and knocking them all down once again. While his third swing only managed to knock down seven pins, his victory was assured.
"Darn, there goes my record." iris lamented.
"Sorry." Barry concoled.
"Hey, it was a good game." she assured him. "You earned your victory, and dinner on me."
"Don't worry, I'll make it easy on you and your wallet." Barry promised. "How about just Big Belly Burger?"
Iris let out a sigh of relief.
"That sounds perfect." She agreed. "Though, maybe we should just walk there."
"Sounds good." Barry replied, wrapping his arm around her.
She snuggled in close as the two walked out of the bowling alley.
Night In
Green Lantern flew through the skies of Coast City, making his way home after foiling a rather daring bank heist. As he banked towards his part of town, an idea slipped into his mind, one that had him banking in a different direction. He darted past various buildings until a particular apartment complex came into view. He did a quick count of the windows before landing on the balcony of one in particular. Through half-parted curtains, Hal could see Carol Ferris sitting on her couch with a book. She was dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, looking quite comfortable. Through another window, he could see a large pot on the stove, no doubt dinner in the making. He then opened the balcony doors, somewhat concerned they were unlocked, and stepped inside, taking a sniff of what was cooking.
"Smells good." He commented.
Carol let out a scream, turning around and throwing her book on instinct. Hal quickly formed a shield to block the book before it hit. Once Carol realized who was in her apartment, she went from scared to mad.
"Damnit Hal!" She exclaimed. "Warn me next time! And how did you even get in here?!"
"Your balcony doors were unlocked." Hal explained. "You need to watch that. Any maniac could sneak in here."
"Like a certain green suited maniac who clearly has a death wish." Carol muttered, stalking over and grabbing her book, locking the balcony door as she did. "Seriously, warn me next time."
"Sorry." Hal apologized. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"It's… alright." Carol replied, sighing. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Just thought I'd stop by." Hal told her. "I've been a bit of a flake for dates lately, and I thought I'd make up for lost time."
"Well, I'm afraid I already have dinner plans." Carol lamented, pointing at the kitchen. "Beef stew, and it's almost done. Although, if you ditch the green, I'm willing to set another place at the table."
"That, I can do." Hal agreed, his GL suit dissipating and leaving him in a jacket, t-shirt, and jeans.
Carol gave a small nod, then glanced down at her sweats.
"And now I feel underdressed in my own home." she sighed.
"Hey, you always look beautiful to me." Hal reassured.
"Flirt." Carol remarked, getting out two bowls.
She then scooped the stew into the two bowls before placing them on the table. The two sat down and dug into their food, Hal's eyes rolling back in his head from how good the food was.
"Damn, this is good." Hal commented. "Ever considered becoming a chef?"
"Cooking's always been a hobby, but planes are my passion." she explained.
"Can't argue with you on that one." Hal agreed.
"Besides, who else is gonna keep providing planes for you to crash?" she ribbed.
"Hey, give me a little credit." Hal insisted. "I don't crash all of them."
"Right, just 85% of them." she amended.
"Still something." Hal replied.
"If you say so." Carol conceded.
…
After a while, the two finished and Hal was sent to do the dishes.
"Great meal." Hal commended as he washed the bowls. "Makes me wanna drop by more often."
"Just make sure to give me some warning before you do." Carol insisted from the living room. "Otherwise I'll do worse than throw a book and make you do the dishes."
"Fair enough." Hal conceded, noting something on the coffee table. "Say, after I'm done here, wanna do something fun?"
Carol paused, turning around on her couch to face Hal.
"That depends on your definition of 'fun'." she answered.
"Well I happened to notice a deck of cards on the table." Hal informed, coming out of the kitchen. "That could lead to something fun."
"Again, you fail to define 'fun'." she pointed out.
"Strip poker." he said bluntly.
Carol snorted, setting her book down once more.
"You sure?" she questioned. "I'll warn you, this won't end the way you think it will."
"I'm not one to pass on a challenge." Hal told her. "Or a chance to see you naked, but that's beside the point."
"Alright." Carol told him with a playful smirk. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
…
The game continued on, and Carol was clearly coming out on top, only losing her shirt and shoes while Hal was soon reduced to his boxers. Both were holding their latest hand, smirking intently at each other.
"So, I gotta ask, and only because it'll keep bothering me until I do," Hal confessed. "Is the yellow bra incidental, or you making fun of me after the whole Sinestro thing?"
"What, this?" Carol asked, tugging on the strap of a lacy yellow bra. "I've had this for awhile."
"Right." Hal replied coyly. "And with matching panties, I'll bet."
"Well at the rate you're going, you'll never know." Carol remarked. "You know, it's not too late to back out."
"Sorry, Carol, not my style." Hal insisted.
"Alright." Carol replied. "Play your hand."
Hal obliged and laid out his cards, revealing triple threes.
"Three of a kind." Carol nodded. "Not bad, but my Full House is better."
She laid down her hand, revealing two fives and three aces. Hal was honestly a little surprised by that.
"Ok… did not see that coming." Hal admitted. "You sure you're not cheating?"
"Where would I hide any cards?" Carol asked.
"Well you are wearing more than I am right now." Hal reminded.
"Speaking of which…" Carol let out, gesturing to his boxers.
Hal just sighed as he stood up, took off his boxers, and tossed them on the table.
"Welp, that's everything." Ha replied. "Happy?"
Carol grinned, unabashedly looking Hal up and down.
"Yes. I. am." She declared, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss.
Going Swimmingly
At the Curry Lighthouse, Thomas was carrying in a large pot roast from the kitchen, setting it down at the large family table. Sitting at it was Mera, Arthur, and Atlanna, all of whom were marvelling at the spread.
"Alright everyone, dig in." Thomas allowed.
"It smells wonderful, Thomas." Atlanna commended.
"Made it special." Thomas told her. "It's the first time all four of us are enjoying dinner together."
"I will admit, one of the things I missed the most about the surface was your cooking." Atlanna declared.
"It does smell and taste delicious." Mera agreed, taking another bite of the roast. "After years of nothing but fish, it's strange to eat something not from the ocean."
"Well, get used to it." Arthur told her. "You're gonna be enjoying surface cuisine a lot more often."
"How are affairs in Atlantis?" Atlanna questioned. "The transfer of power was rather turbulent."
"Thankfully, things have smoothed out a little." Arthur reassured. "There are a few who still believe Orm to be the true king, but they're few and far between."
"Even so, we're keeping an eye on them, and Prince Orm." Mera insisted.
"Orm is just misguided." Atlanna told them. "His father's prejudice runs deep."
"Hey, I'm not giving up on him just yet." Arthur assured her. "One day he'll see the truth."
"I know he will." Atlanna replied.
"In the meantime," Thomas chimed in. "Mera, how are you enjoying the surface?"
"It's certainly been an experience." Mera admitted. "We fully explored Europe, and We even went on a wild-life tour of the savannah."
"Being King does have its perks." Arthur admitted.
"Just be careful that power doesn't go to your head." Mera warned.
"You've got nothing to worry about there." Thomas reassured. "Arthur's stable as a granite foundation."
"Hey, you grow up on a lighthouse workman's paycheck, you learn to be humble." Arthur replied.
"I'd imagine so." Mera remarked.
"You've both certainly made a life for yourselves." Atlanna noted. "I'm just sorry I couldn't be there for it."
"Hey, you had a pretty compelling reason." Arthur reminded. "Kinda hard to be there when you're trapped on a magically sealed island."
"Still," Atlanna went on, "I wish I could have been there for your first steps, your first day of school, your first swim..."
"His pet dolphin." Thomas added.
"I'm sorry, what?" Mera let out.
"It's nothing." Arthur insisted, turning somewhat red. "We don't need to-"
"He tamed a dolphin?" Atlanna questioned, seeming shocked. "How?"
"He was out swimming in the ocean one day and saw a dolphin swimming out beyond the reef." Thomas answered. "When he came swimming back with the dolphin in tow, I knew he'd inherited your powers."
"Please tell me he named it." Mera insisted, a childish glee in her voice as Arthur buried his face in his plate.
"He called him Fluke." Thomas told her.
Mera just chuckled as Atlanna smiled.
"Do you have any pictures of this 'Fluke'?" Atlanna questioned.
"I have pictures of everything." Thomas informed her.
"And I'm out." Arthur declared, getting up from the table.
"Oh, come on." Mera insisted. "It's not like we'll be showing these to the royal court or the League or anything."
"No, just my mother and the woman I-..." he trailed off before brushing it off. "Forget it. I'm getting some air."
Arthur then stepped outside, leaving Mera and Atlanna alone.
"You know he was going to say love, right?" Atlanna asked.
Mera turned red as well.
"We… both agreed to hold off on anything serious until we were both comfortable." She muttered. "And aside from one heated kiss after the great battle of the Brine Kingdom, he has not shown much affection."
"Well, you two have been keeping pretty busy, from the sound of things." Atlanna defended. "Besides, just because he hasn't shown those feelings, doesn't mean they're not there."
Mera paused, pondering Atlanna's words.
"Plus, if he didn't have feelings for you, would he be taking you around the world, or home for dinner for that matter?" Thomas added.
"I… suppose so." Mera let out.
"Why don't you go check on him." Atlanna suggested.
"Knowing him, he's on a rock outcropping a ways offshore." Thomas suggested.
"Thank you." Mera replied, leaving the table.
…
Arthur sat on the rock outcropping, looking out at the sunset on the ocean.
"Your parents said you'd be here." Mera informed, climbing up on the rock with him.
"Right." Arthur nodded. "Listen, what I said back there-"
"We haven't really taken time for us, have we?" Mera cut off.
"What?" Arthur let out in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"I know we had that kiss, but with all the work we've done in the kingdom, and you with the League," Mera replied. "I… kinda feel we haven't all that much to… well, see where that kiss could lead."
Arthur remained silent for a moment before sighing in response.
"You make a good point." Arthur admitted. "And I do wanna see what the future holds for… us."
"We need more nights like this." Mera decided. "Nights where it's just you and me and whatever comes to mind for us."
"Well if you wanted to jumpstart things-" Arthur was about to suggest before he cut himself off. "Nevermind."
"Come now." Mera pressed. "What is it?"
"Just something I thought we could do tonight," Arthur replied. "But it might be a bit much at the moment."
"I won't know unless you tell me." Mera insisted.
"Alright, alright." Arthur relented. "It's a surface thing called… skinny dipping."
Mera cocked an eyebrow in response.
"And what pray tell is 'skinny dipping' exactly?" Mera asked.
"Basically, it's swimming… only naked." Arthur answered. "I know, it's a little out there, and
He was cut off by the sight of Mera slipping out of her skin suit. Before he could react, she dove head first into the water with a splash. She then pops to the surface with a smile on her face.
"You coming?" She asked.
Arthur quickly regained his senses as he shed his armor and dove in after her. He then surfaced right next to her, smiling coyly.
"You know, for a princess from a respected kingdom, you've got quite the wild side." Arthur remarked.
"Well, I did help a half breed mongrel assume the throne of Atlantis and prevent a bloody war." Mera replied, wrapping her arms around his neck. "But you know what… I don't regret my choices."
"Glad." Arthur told her.
The two then kissed lovingly before slowly sinking below the waves.
Long Overdue
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Victor walked into his dad's lab, dressed in a t-shirt and some sweats. Silas was working on constructing some new equipment for Cyborg to test his strength and stamina. Victor let out a whistle of astonishment.
"Whoa, what's all this for?" He asked.
"Dr. Wells has granted me the use of an old weapons range to convert into a specialized gym for you." Silas replied. "I figured it would serve as a way of recording your new stats, as well as provide you with some semblance of what once was."
"That'd be… great." Victor responded. "Thanks, dad."
"Don't mention it." Silas replied. "So, care to try it out?"
"Definitely."
Victor set himself up under a hydraulic weight press, pushing up against the metal plate as hard as he could. As he held it up, Silas carefully increased the pressure, keeping an eye on Victor to make sure he didn't go too far.
"How's it going, son?" he called out.
"So far… so good!" Victor called back.
Victor continued pushing against the plate until he felt he couldn't anymore, quickly moving out from under it and letting it slam on the ground. Silas makes notes of the levels, jotting them down.
"You alright?" He asked.
"Yeah." Victor reassured. "Just… need to catch my breath."
"Take your time." Silas told him. "Why don't we move onto something else."
Victor nodded as he moved onto a rush bag, one set up on another hydraulic press. It had a metal shape of a football player set up on the end, leather lining it carefully. Victor took a few breaths before charging at the bag, hitting it as hard as he could. Unfortunately, the entire contraption buckled under the pressure. Victor winced in response, pulling himself free from the dent now shaped like his shoulder.
"Sorry, Pop." he apologized, rubbing the back of his head.
"No trouble." Silas reassured. "I just need to make a note to reenforce the structural integrity for future use."
"So what now?" Vic asked.
"Now, we take a break." Silas answered, checking his watch. "In fact, it's just about time."
"Time for what?" Victor asked.
…
Later, Victor and Silas were sitting on a couch in the S.T.A.R. Labs break room watching a football game. It was the Central City Diamonds vs the Gotham City Knights and the game had just started. Much to Victor's surprise, there was a plethora of snacks laid out on the table, including a seven layer dip he was particularly fond of.
"What is all this, Dad?" Victor asked.
"Making up for lost time." Silas answered. "I figured that the best way to start would be indulging in your passion. I even spoke with some colleagues on the best snacks to have for this sort of event."
"You… you didn't have to do all this." Victor tried to insist.
"Actually, I think I did." Silas replied. "I've spent far too long dismissing you and your interests. I was not the father you deserved, and I can only hope it is not too late to try again."
Victor couldn't help but smile at as he took a seat on the couch.
"Well, I hope you plan on eating some of these snacks." He spoke up. "Even with my iron stomach, I doubt I could eat all this."
"We'll give the leftovers to Mr. Allen." Silas declared.
The two shared a laugh as they turned on the game.
WonderBat
Batman sat in the monitor room of the Watchtower, going over the various feeds and signals from across the globe. As he continued watching the screens, a door slid open as Wonder Woman walked inside.
"Thought your shift wasn't until tomorrow." Batman assumed.
"It's not," Wonder Woman replied. "But I thought you could use the company."
"I'm alright." Bats insisted. "Don't you have business to attend to?"
"All business with the embassy is wrapped up for the night." Diana answered. "Besides, I could ask you the same. I heard a rumor you had a kid, a Robin I believe."
"Hardly a rumor." Batman dismissed. "You even met him once at S.T.A.R. Labs when we started this thing."
"Yes, but I just assumed he was merely your sidekick." Diana replied. "Not your son."
Batman perked up at that.
"Where would you get an idea like that?" Batman replied.
"From the way you just reacted." Diana answered. "Plus, Lantern told me you said you raised four teenagers. I can only assume this Robin is one of the four"
"He is." Batman confirmed.
"And the others?" Diana questioned.
"The first became Nightwing, a hero of his own right out in Jump City." Batman explained.
He fell silent after that.
"And the other two?" She asked.
"I need to focus, Diana." He told her.
"Sorry, I don't mean to pry." Diana apologized, sensing the rough topic. "I was just curious. Out of all the members of the League, you're the one we know the least about."
"We all have secrets." Batman replied. "I simply choose to keep mine better hidden than others."
"Still, it must be hard not being able to share those secrets with anyone." Diana mused. "It becomes quite a burden."
"I've learned to live with it." Batman responded.
'But you shouldn't have to.' Diana insisted. "You don't have to fight the world by yourself, nor do you have to stay in the darkness."
"I find I do my best work in the dark." Batman retorted.
"That is not what I meant." Diana insisted, cracking a little smile. "Though I must admit, I did not think Batman could tell jokes."
"Just don't tell Lantern." Batman told her. "I'll never hear the end of it."
She smiled, then leaned in and have his shoulder a squeeze.
"Your secret's safe with me." she promised.
She walked out of the room as one of the screens switched to an image of Robin, dressed in PJs save for his domino mask.
"Glad I hit screen saver mode when she came in." He remarked. "I swear I saw you blush under that cowl of yours."
"What are you talking about?" Batman asked.
"Oh come on, it's totally obvious." Robin insisted. "You. her. Sitting in a tree. That whole diddy."
"It wasn't like that." Batman dismissed. "We were just talking."
"For now." Robin challenged. "Heck, I'm surprised she didn't try to kiss you."
"Somehow, I don't see that happening." Batman replied.
"Give it time." Robin insisted, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet on the table. "Give it time."
"Is there a reason you called, or are you just bored?" Batman asked.
"I do have a reason for calling." Robin insisted, grinning from ear to ear. "I was bored."
Batman scowled.
"Good night, Robin." he declared before ending the call.
Disaster Scientist
J'onn flew towards DEO headquarters, concerned that he hadn't heard from Kari in a while. He landed in front of the building, the guards at the door giving him a salute as he entered. As he headed down the hallway, Faraday was walking by, catching a glimpse of the martian.
"J'onn, surprised to see you here." He remarked. "Everything alright?"
"I hope so." J'onn replied. "I've been trying to call Kari, but haven't heard anything in days."
"Ah," Faraday let out, shaking his head. "More than likely, she's locked herself in her lab again, working on her latest project."
"Does this happen often?" J'onn inquired.
"Honestly, it's more surprising when it doesn't happen." Faraday admitted. "I mean, she was a recluse when I first hired her, but lately it's become a bit worse."
"I see." J'onn replied.
He then flew off towards her lab, approaching the large doors. As expected, they were sealed shut, but that was barely an inconvenience for him. He phased through the door, entering the lab to find it in quite a state of disarray. Papers littered every surface, multiple tests were running on various machines, and several rock samples were scattered about the lab. The trash can was also overflowing with instant noodle cups and pizza boxes, as well as several coffee filters around a currently empty coffee pot. From the number of mugs around it, the pot was clearly well used. The small cot stealthily tucked next to a filing cabinet was not. Instead, the lab's owner was currently asleep in her wheelchair, her glasses askew on her face as she leaned on her work table, snoring lightly. J'onn floated over to her and gently nudged her shoulder.
"Kari?" He let out, getting little more than a muffled grunt. "Kari, it's J'onn."
Kari let out another grunt, then slowly began to stir. She sat up carefully, adjusting her glasses and giving a stretch.
"J'onn?" she muttered sleepily. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking on you." J'onn told her. "I hadn't heard from you in a while."
"Really?" Kari questioned. "I would have heard my phone."
She then began fumbling around her table for her phone, eventually finding it half buried under calculations. She tried to turn it on, but nothing happened.
"Unless I forgot to charge it… again." she amended.
"It appears you have been busy." J'onn noted, looking around the lab.
"Believe me, I have." Kari nodded. "I've been exploring that Kryptonite radiation lead I discovered with some surprising results, not to mention the upgrades to Superman's lead suits, the study and repair of his rocket, I've been swamped."
"All the same, perhaps you could use a break." J'onn suggested.
"I just had a break." Kari insisted. "I took a power nap."
She glanced at the clock and went wide eyed.
"For… six… hours..." she added slowly.
"I meant stepping away from the lab for a while." J'onn elaborated.
"And do what?" Kari questioned. "I mean, what can I do if I'm not here?"
"Perhaps get a proper meal that isn't instant noodles or pizza." J'onn proposed.
Kari sighed.
"This is one of those suggestions that you're not gonna let me turn down, is it?" She asked.
"I'm afraid not." J'onn confirmed.
She sighed again, then held up her hands.
"Alright, I-" She began before scrunching her nose and taking a sniff of herself, recoiling instantly. "Um… maybe a stop by my apartment from a shower and a change of clothes before food?"
"Of course." J'onn agreed, taking the handles of her wheelchair and rolling her out.
…
Sometime later, J'onn brought Kari to a small apartment on the edge of town, not far from the DEO HQ. Kari fumbled with her keys for a minute before finally getting her door open. Much to J'onn's dismay, the apartment was in a similar state to the lab. Dirty clothes and trash were strewn across the floor, dirty dishes piled up in the sink, and what looked like a large stack of unopened mail was assembled next to the door, no doubt pushed through the mail slot and slid aside by the door.
"Just give me a minute to find some clothes." Kari insisted, snagging a shirt and giving it a sniff. "Nope, not this one."
She dropped it back where she found it and grabbing another. As she sifted through the various garments on the ground, J'onn looked around the apartment.
"I assume you don't spend much time at home?" J'onn guessed.
"No, not really." she answered, sniffing a shirt before deaming it satisfactory. "Mostly just for a change of clothes and the odd shower here and there."
"Any particular reason?" J'onn asked.
Kari shrugged.
"Never saw the point." she answered. "I mean, it's not like I have anyone waiting for me."
"That sounds… lonely." J'onn noted.
"Eh, I'm used to it." Kari brushed off. "Never was good at the whole friends things, and after Mom and Dad died, I just sort of… gave up, you know? I mean, yeah I talk to the League and to the Director, but they're associates at best. I don't really have… friends."
"I… understand what that can be like." J'onn concoled.
Kari nodded.
"You're probably the only one." she told him, resting her claimed clothes in her lap. "Sometimes, it's hard to even find the motivation to do anything. Things only got worse after… this."
She gestured to her chair.
"So, I throw myself into my work." She explained. "If I'm busy and my mind is active, everything else just fades away and I don't have to think about it, you know?"
"I think I do actually." J'onn replied.
Kari smiled, leaning back in her chair.
"And that's why you're probably the only person I truly consider a friend." she declared.
J'onn smiled at her words.
"Well, I'm gonna get that shower I mentioned." she announced. "Sit… wherever."
She rolled off, closing the bathroom door behind her. He brushed a few stray clothes aside and sat on the couch and waited.
…
About an hour later, Kari emerged from the bathroom, dressed once more. She looked better, and certainly smelled better.
"Sorry it took so long." she apologized. "One detriment from my condition, tasks take twice as long as they should."
"No need to apologize!" J'onn called from the kitchen. "I was able to make myself busy!"
Kari blinked at the declaration, then took stock of her apartment. The laundry was gone from the floor, as was the trash. The mail stack had been sorted on the table and all the dishes were gone. As Kari rolled into the kitchen, she saw J'onn at the sink, finishing off the last of the dishes.
"You… you cleaned my apartment." she realized.
"It was in dire need of a clean." he explained. "Your laundry is currently in the washer downstairs."
"You cleaned my apartment." Kari repeated. "The trash, the dishes… all of it."
"Are you… displeased by it?" J'onn asked.
"No, no!" Kari hastily corrected. "It's just… no one's ever done that for me before. Thank you."
"It was… my pleasure." J'onn replied smiling.
There was a bit of silence as they just smiled at one another.
"I should… go check and see if my laundry needs to be put in the dryer." Kari declared. "Then, maybe we can get some dinner? Order in? I think there's a chinese food place that delivers."
"Sounds delightful." J'onn agreed.
Kari grinned, then rolled out to get her laundry. She closed the apartment door behind her, the smile never leaving her face.
"I have a friend." she marveled. "Huh."