Best Friends Part 15

PROPOSITIONS CHAPTER 15 Megara looked at the Hydra in dismay. She saw her Bana sisters scream and sink to their deaths. Some of the Themysciran ones were trying to aid them but were inhaling the poisoned air and collapsing. She screamed,"Ariadne!Stop the Hydra!!" "But why should I,Megara?"  Ariadne in Magala's disembodied body appeared. "The Hydra will contain the alien." "My sisters are dying!" "Yes,a pity. But in any war there is collateral damage and you wanted war,Amazon." "But not this. You are killing us too." "Yes. I know. You fool,you were so bitter and angry you did not realize that this is what I intended. To get both tribes on the battlefield and wipe you out. And when I slay Diana of Themyscira my plan will be complete. I will rule here and I may just take the Kryptonian for myself." "You tricked me!" "No. You fooled yourself." "Ariadne!" The ghostly figure disappeared and Megara screamed as a head of the Hydra spat poison in her direction. It hit her mount and the animal reared up and threw her. She fell heavily and began to scramble and run. She felt the ground suddenly go soggy beneath her feet and she was sinking. She tried to claw her way out but to no avail. She was waist-deep  when a voice yelled,"Grab the spear!" She looked up to see Artemis holding the end of a long spear to her. She was on a winged chariot. Upon regaining consciousness,Artemis had fought her way out of her confinement and made her way to the battle. She had been stunned to see the sight of a Hydra and Amazons on both sides dying or fleeing for their lives. Megara grabbed it and Artemis heaved her out,gritting her teeth as she pulled her up. Megara collapsed on the ground,panting and puffing. She stood up shakily."You saved me?Why...?" Artemis' fist flashed and she punched her in the nose."To rot in a cell that is why!!!" Megara felt herself topple to the ground and she held her bleeding nose in pain. Artemis spat on her,and  she stepped back upon the chariot and lifted off in order to see if she could aid the other Amazons. ************************************* Superman flew towards the Hydra. The fumes were thick and he could see Amazons doubled over,retching;some unconscious;others being attacked by the multiple headed creature. He took a deep breath and blew at the fumes and it dispersed. He had no time to rescue any one person,  as the longer the creature with its foul smelling toxin remained the more Amazons would die. He saw Artemis trying to save some women that were still alive and Phillipus and Cressida were also trying to drag injured sisters to safety. He swooped and  picked up two swords that were lying on the ground. He flew towards the monster,darting under and over the many heads that turned to attack him and slashed as he went along. Two heads fell off and before they could grow back he used his heat vision and cauterized the bleeding necks. He slashed another two. The creature roared in pain and rage. Burnt flesh and blood assailed the air. Clark was on the fifth and sixth head when he heard Diana's voice amongst the chaos. "Krypto!" He turned and saw someone flying in an attacking her in the distance."No!!" He was suddenly hit with a ball of poison than seeped though his uniform and burned off part of the sleeve. He winced. The poison burned like an acid and he ignored the pain and hurled a sword at the eye of the head that was spitting at him. The head screeched and he used the other sword to go up from under its jaw. He withdrew the swords and swiped the one head with a swift horizontal slash of both blades. It toppled to the ground. He heated the oozing neck. He had one more left. The main head was the largest and it was the most aggressive and was also spitting a kind of fire and the poison that leaked from its eyes seemed to scorch the dirt beneath it as it moved to attack. Superman did not hesitate. He went for it. He opened his lips and blew his freezing super-breath at it. Ice frosted it's mouth,momentarily stopping it .He turned and looked and saw Diana fighting Lacea. "Diana..." Were he another man he would have dropped everything and gone to save her,but he was Superman,and as much as it pained his heart and soul,he knew he had to get rid of the Hydra first. Diana would not forgive him if he allowed her sisters to die to save just her. He had to hope she would fight a good fight and protect their child. The Hydra shattered the ice and whipped its tail at him. He used his heat vision and sheared the spiked tail off. The monster roared in pain. Superman then flew under it and heaved.The poison was burning his hand,eating into his skin,dropping onto his shoulders . But he held on and lifted up,pushing the monster up and up and up. He was soon breaking the exosphere and the heat began to burn up the Hydra. With a grunt he threw it with all his might towards the vacuum of space. The creature suddenly seemed to expand and its body shattered into fragments of smoke and ash. The creation of the Gods,gone the way it was created. Superman wiped his sweating brow and grimaced in pain as he looked at his hands which seemed to have been eroded away to the muscle. His shirt had been burnt in places and stuck to his skin in fragments. He flew down breaking into the atmosphere and sunlight hit him,instantly healing his hands and the skin of his shoulders and arms. ********************************** Diana felt Lacea try to take her to the ground. She gritted her teeth and managed just to get enough leverage  to use her elbow against her jaw. Lacea fell back heavily and rolled down the slope. Krypto flew at her. Diana cried,"No! Krypto!' Krypto sunk his teeth in her calf. Lacea used the Gauntlet of Atlas and punched him hard in the head and he let out a yelp of pain as he tumbled off her and fell unconscious in the dirt. "Damn you!" cried Diana,and she flew at her sword raised. They met in the air. The spiked mace hit Diana's shield. It dented on the first blow. The mace swung again and Diana weaved and ducked. She somersaulted behind Lacea and kicked her in the spine. Lacea tumbled in the air,falling short off the ground. Diana tried to cleave through the chain to try to  cut the mace in two. But Lacea anticipated her. She was fast with the Sandals of Hermes and soon had captured Diana's sword by the hilt with the mace and knocked it to the ground. Diana saw her coming at her. She had to avoid any full contact. She took the shield and hurled it at her. Lacea saw it and her mace smashed into it. The shield fell mangled to the ground. Diana undid her lasso and tried to throw it on her. Lacea saw what she was about to do and tried to fly upwards,but Diana managed to get the loop around her ankle. Diana yanked downwards with all her might. Lacea yelped and felt herself fall. She hit the ground hard and groaned. Blood seemed to seep  from her lips. Lacea looked up to see Diana pick up her sword and come over her. Diana loosened the lasso and directed the tip of the sword at her  neck and  snapped," Surrender,Lacea." Lacea laid on the ground. Her eyes full of hate and her lips in a sneer."You are dead,Queen Diana." Diana's brows raised."But I think not. You are caught." A disembodied voice behind Diana said,"No she is not. You are." Diana felt a force choking her around her neck. She gasped and dropped the sword and tried to catch her breath,clawing at her neck but feeling nothing but air. The voice was familiar as her senses seemed to swim. "Remember me,Amazon?" Diana knew that voice. "Ariadne!" "Yes. Ariadne. And it will be the last voice you hear!" Diana struggled and choked. The air was being cut from her lungs. She was being pushed to the ground by some force and she laid there,hands clawing,heels kicking  the earth as she tried to get free. Ariadne's voice rang in her ears."I want your body,Amazon. Lacea,pick up the sword!Quickly!I cannot hold her long in my current state!!" Lacea struggled to her feet and took up the sword. Ariadne urged,"Tear off her breast plate...Hurry! Now,drive the blade in her womb. Aim it where the child would be!" Diana felt a hand yank off the breast plate and saw  the sword coming at her and her eyes widened. She saw the blade,as if in slow motion,stab her in the abdomen and to the amazement of all the blade did not penetrate her skin. The blade seemed to bend in on itself and it snapped at the very hilt. Lacea gasped."Gods!The sword of Hephaestus! It broke!How?" Diana felt the hold on her neck loosen and Ariadne screech."That is impossible!That sword was forged from the fires of Olympus!! How did it not kill you?" A voice appeared behind them."Because the child  she carries in her body is combined of both their mights. You cannot hurt it with a mere sword." Diana sat up gasping to see a beautiful,ghostly woman with flowing black hair standing  before them. Aridane suddenly hissed."Magala!!!" Diana whispered,"Magala?'' Lacea gaped like a fish. The woman turned and smiled at Diana."I wasn't always hideous and deformed,child. I was young once and quite beautiful. The forms we manifest are just a projection of what is in our hearts." Diana watched Ariadne face her beautiful counterpart."What do you want?Get back whence you came. Isn't the Fields of Elysium good enough for you?" "I was sent by Hades to bring you back and retrieve my memories and power." Ariadne cried,"Never!I will never go back to Tartarus." The real Magala smiled."Oh I think you will. Unless you wish to defy Hades himself." She raised her hand and suddenly a portal opened up behind Ariadne. Magala launched herself at her and they began to struggle. Aridane was not going to go back easily. Magala uttered some arcane words and skeletal hands could be seen to be emanating from the whirling black vortex and grabbing Ariadne's hair and robes. She was being pulled backwards by them and pushed in by Magala. Ariadne screamed.”NOOOO!!!” There was a blinding burst of light and the two forms vanished and the portal closed with a loud bang. Diana and Lacea looked at the residual mist evaporating in awe. Diana held  her abdomen with a sigh of  relief .Lacea looked as if she were struck dumb and immobile. Diana rose to her feet and moved towards Krypto. She dropped on her knees and touched him anxiously. He was breathing. "Come on,Krypto. Wake up..."The animal began to stir and open his eyes. Diana crooned."That's it. Good dog." Lacea,meanwhile looked around to see the battlefield. Both sides seemed to have stopped fighting. Many dead littered the field. Her  eyes burned and she picked up the round spiked ball on the floor and lifted it to smash Diana on the skull. She suddenly felt the ball grow hot and she gasped and had to drop it. A hand had her by the scruff of the neck and was lifting her off the floor. Blue eyes that were normally full of light and humor,were dark as if a squall had clouded the sky. Superman said in a voice that made her blood run cold,"Try anything like that again and you will see the wrong side of me." Diana turned."Kal!" She floated up towards them and looked at Lacea with furious eyes as Superman dropped her scathingly to the ground. Diana gritted,"The Gauntlet and the Sandals. Off. NOW!". Lacea ripped off the Gauntlet and kicked off the Sandals and threw them on the ground. She looked at the two of them,as if waiting to be executed summarily on the spot. Diana said dangerously,"Two things in this world never desecrate nor touch again,Lacea. My mother's tomb and our child." Diana turned her back on her  to move into Clark's arms. Lacea gaped,in disbelief at being spared, and she stumbled away and ran for the woods. Superman watched her go in amusement. Artemis was not far behind and would deal with her. Diana touched his tattered shirt in concern. "Hera,are you okay?The Hydra?" He kissed her lips."I'm fine. The Hydra is dead. Are you alright?"He saw her breast plate was not on and she looked dusty and pale. "I...yes. I am. Clark,our baby. Can you see if it is unhurt?" He scanned her and nodded."Yes. Everything seems normal." "Oh thank the Gods!!!"she cried and hugged him tight. Krypto meanwhile floated over and he licked both their hands. Superman bent and slapped his back affectionately."Poor fella. You got quite a knock,huh?At least you are in one piece." Diana stroked his head lovingly and tickled his chin."He is my knight in shining armor,aren't you,Krypto?Not even Superman can boast of defending me these last two times." Krypto barked. He loved when she did that. Superman chuckled."So he has ousted even me in the saving department?But what happened here,Diana?" The sound of hooves were approaching. Diana turned. It was Phillipus on her own steed,leading a riderless Ajax, and behind them was Artemis in a winged chariot. Diana said softly,as they floated down to the ground,"I will tell you everything later." She went to reverentially pick up her mother's Gauntlet and Sandals. Phillipus and Artemis stopped before her a minute later."Your Majesty,are you hurt?" Diana nodded."I am fine. Our troops,Phillipus?Are they safe?" "Yes,but we lost some sisters as have the Bana. There are several injured who need medical attention. Artemis also told me the real reasons behind this farce of a war." Diana looked at Artemis."You know?" Artemis nodded."I found out and they tried to get me out of the way. Ariadne has been manipulating Megara since Ares .And Lacea is just a brainwashed sheep wanting to prove herself. My sisters have leaned that the hard way. We have Megara and will put her on trial. I am glad you are unhurt,Diana." "Thank you,Artemis. I knew you would not turn against us just because I am with Kal." Artemis looked at her and Superman together with a mocking smile."I will never understand it but I have known that you two had feelings for each other for a long time. It was pathetic to see you pretending to be only friends when your eyes use to say so much more. I also hear you are expecting." Diana smiled."Yes. We are." "Congratulations. He at least has some manners and isn't full of his own consequence. You could have done worse than him .Like that  cad Nemesis,was it?Or that arrogant Orin. Or that grumpy Batman." Superman grinned. He was well used to Artemis' acerbic ways. That was as much a compliment if ever she was capable of one. Diana shook her head ruefully."Thank you, I think ." The Man of Steel said,"Just to let you know,Lacea ran off in that direction." "Oh,she did did she?Well then,I will go and look for her." Artemis jumped back on her chariot and took off. Phillipus looked at Diana."What now,Majesty?" Diana sighed."This is getting to be like deja-vu. Both our peoples really need to get their houses in order. Another episode of burying dead and nursing the injured back to health and who will we be left with to live in paradise?" Superman said,"At least no buildings were damaged this time. We just have a stinky bog which I can deal with." Diana laughed and kissed him."Thank you. While you deal with the stinky bog I will go with Phillipus. I will see you later,okay?" He nodded and took off and she mounted Ajax. She and Phillipus then went help their sisters and meet with the Bana elders. ********************************************************************************************************** Two weeks later. "I think it knows my voice." "Clark,it's only fourteen weeks. How can it know anything!?" "Diana,it has my genes. It is an intelligent fetus,"he said with a mocking air of self importance. She laughed and playfully ruffled his hair at his ridiculous assertion. They were lying in bed chatting softly after having made love. His head had been lying on her abdomen and he had been listening to the baby's heart beat ,a habit he had taken up recently. She envied him his ability to see and hear their child and he often made her laugh with his deliberate,outlandish statements. He had even claimed the baby liked his singing,which was somewhat far fetched as it was well known when Clark attempted to sing,Krypto would howl mournfully as if someone had died. She tutted."It may be intelligent but it's making me very hungry .Truly,the amount of food I am packing in,I'm stunned I don't have a bigger bump yet. And I think the food is going to my bottom and breasts." He chuckled as he moved to join her under the covers and drew her back to his massive chest. He patted her posterior gently."Oh you'll hear no complaints from me there. Besides, you are eating for two now. My mother used to always say you were too thin." "My mother thought so too. I wish they were both alive to see the baby." "Me too. Pa would have gotten a kick of this. I think he always had a soft spot for you." "Really?" "Yep,but then you see Pa was a smart guy. He saw what I was too young too see back then. That I cared for you more than I would admit. I can just see him smiling and chewing his piece of straw and saying,"Told you so,son." Diana frowned."Everyone seems to be saying that these days. In fact,Clark,everyone wants to know when the wedding will be and wants an invitation." "Yeaaah,I think this is going to get out of hand,Diana. There are your sisters,the League,our mutual work colleagues and friends,family...I'm not sure I want  fuss and pomp and ceremony." Diana remarked wryly,"With our luck we might have Darkseid coming down and gate crashing." "I had a traditional church wedding with Lois and that was stressful enough for one lifetime." "Not to mention the fuss I had with Robert. I could say let us just have a ceremony on Themyscira but we can't invite any and everybody and the Gods are so spiteful at times. Gaea,after all we have been through we sound very paranoid,don't we?" "Well,we have a right to be with that little bun in the oven. Twice you have been attacked and we need to be very careful." Diana sighed."I wish we could just get married alone. You and me." He lifted his head to look down at her."You mean that?' She nodded."Mmmm." "We can,you know. We just need two witnesses." "Who?'' "I could ask Bruce and you can ask Donna." Diana digested this."That sounds feasible...But oh Clark,what of Kon?Kara?Cassie?They will never let us hear the end of it..." "Diana,what of Phillipus,Mala,Julia,Cassie,Wally,Jimmy,Lana..?I can go on and on and the list will be endless. We have to be brutal and we do it this way or just stress over a huge wedding." Diana exhaled and conceded."We ask Bruce and Donna." Clark hugged her close."You know,for the civic records you are going to have to marry Clark Kent as Diana Prince,right?" Diana nodded."Of course." "And you want my last name or you'll keep Prince?Most women nowadays keep their own." "Well Prince was fabricated and I think I can stomach yours. Mrs Diana Kent. Sounds nice." He laughed and kissed her."When do you want to do this?" Diana replied,"I would do it tomorrow if you want." "Tomorrow huh?If only but I will drop by Gotham and see what Bruce is up too. What about a honeymoon?" She replied,"It doesn't matter as long as I can be with you. I will see how much time I can wrangle off the island. The Bana are actually doing whatever they can to try to make up for what happened. I know Artemis let rip into them for being duped by Megara." "What happened to Megara and Lacea?Their trials are over?" "Yes. Both have been imprisoned on one of the outer islands in the chain. I think they were lucky they did not get executed. But so many have died and Artemis realizes further bloodshed is bad." "A week with you would be a luxury. So far we have had a few days here and there and still duty calls for both of us." "It's our blessing and our burden to be who we are."She yawned. It  had been a long day in meetings with the Bana contingent and her own Senate. He stroked her hair."Tired?" Diana nodded. The first trimester was over but she did feel somewhat tired at times. Especially when she had queenly duties that seemed to drain her mentally more than physically. He blew out the lit sconces on the walls from where he laid ."Okay,your Majesty,time to sleep." She smiled,feeling safe and warm and protected and turned on her side."I love you,Clark." "I love you too,"he replied and wrapped  an arm around her waist from behind,his large body lying protectively against her own,as they settled to sleep. ********************************************************************************************************** Clark called for Bruce the next day and got Selina on the phone. Bruce was away in another city for a business meeting and Selina informed Clark that he would be back later that evening. "Oh,I see. I needed to see him. Well,it can wait,I guess. I will call another time." "Don't be silly,Clark. You will come over for dinner and see Bruce." "I don't want to impose..." "You won't be. The girls would love to see you too. They haven't seen Uncle Clark for months and Helena keeps asking after you and Diana." "Well,when you put it like that..." "Are you coming alone?" "Yes,Diana is busy still with Themyscira." "How is she and the baby doing?" "Doing quite well. She keeps asking for some of the weirdest things,Selina. Like gerkins and peanut butter. Together." Selina laughed."Cravings, my dear,they  make absolutely no sense. But that's quite normal. I am so happy for you two." "Thanks. What time tomorrow?" "We dine at seven. So come for six." ************************ Clark Kent arrived at the Wayne Manor promptly at six and was let in by the cybernetic that had taken Alfred's place. Bruce had not bothered hiring any human for reasons of security and after Alfred died he did not feel anyone could take the old man's place. He had the cybernetic look like a man in his fifties with a graying blond hair and a sturdy built. The cybernetic was christened by Selina as Jeeves. He had been programmed to do domestic functions as well security detail. If the need arose he had an arsenal of weapons hidden in his frame. Bruce, with two daughters and a wife to protect, was not going to take any chances. Jeeves greeted Clark. His mannerisms were like a normal human and were it not for Clark's super-senses he might have been fooled too. Jeeves led him into the large living room,where Bruce and Selina were sitting with their two daughters. The older girl,Eva,was nineteen  and her sister,Helena,was three years younger. Eva had come home from Paris as it was the start of the summer vacation and was slender and willowy and looked like an aristocrat. Helena was taller and  had a kind of restless energy. Both were dark haired and had Selina's eyes. When Clark was announced the two girls stood up and cried,"Uncle Clark!" Bruce and Selina waved from where they sat. They hurried to him and hugged him. Eva said excitedly,"Mom told me that you and Aunt Diana are having a baby!Wow! That's so wonderful!I knew you and she would hook up." Clark looked at her amused."Did you now?" Helena slipped her hand in his and said naively,"Of course,Uncle Clark. Dad said not even you,a cornfed Boyscout, could play Super-monk forever with Aunt Diana around." Clark 's eyes met Bruce's across the room. He couldn't help but chuckle."Did he now?" Selina looked at her husband with a shake of her head."Bruce,you are too much." Bruce shrugged."Well,I was right,wasn't I?" Helena asked solemnly,"So what are you having,Uncle Clark?Will it have your and Aunt Diana's powers?That would be awesome. But you know, it could get no powers whatsoever?Or it could be very very powerful and that is kinda worrying if you don't keep it under close supervision. You think it will have a weakness to kryptonite?" Selina remarked,"I swear she is getting more and  more like Batman. She just says whatever she feels." "It's too early to know and in any case,Diana wants to keep it a surprise. And we will try to parent as best as we can,"Clark replied,trying not to laugh as he bent to kiss Selina on the cheek and shake Bruce's hands."Hey,thanks for having me over at such short notice." Bruce gestured for him to sit."Blame it on,Selina. I come home tired and want to nap and she says we have company." Selina tutted."Oh ignore the Grinch. You are like family,Clark,you can interrupt Bruce's nap anytime." The girls plunked Clark on a sofa and sat him between them. Helena was keen to hear about his fight with Ares. Eva just shuddered and said,"Let him tell you when I'm outside the room. Please. She thrives on blood and gore,Uncle Clark." Helena stuck her tongue out."You're only concerned about your music and boys. Uncle Clark,Dad does not want me join the Titans. Is that unfair or what?" Clark looked at Bruce."Is that so?" Bruce said,"Yes,that is so. She needs to focus on her studies. She fell back quite a bit this semester and it isn't because she isn't capable. Plus she's too young." Helena cried,"That's not fair!I am nearly seventeen. You had Uncle Dick and Aunt Babara and Uncle Tim with you when they were younger." "That was a different time. The villains were not as ruthless nor high tech,"he replied firmly. Clark mused,"But from what I gather Helena has helped the Titans already?And fitted in quite well." "Without my permission,"said Bruce abruptly. Helena said pointedly,"I had Mom's." Clark saw Bruce give Selina a disapproving look."Yes,it seems at times no one listens to a word I say." Selina took her husband's hand and smiled."She was fine,Bruce. They were impressed. Clark,they want her to join. I have no problems with that. But Bruce is a tad protective." Clark said,"Understandable,but,Bruce,we both mentored kids and know what it's like to try to stop them when they think they have found their calling. Look at Kara,Kon,Dick and Tim. They are outstanding in their own right and would have never grown if we didn't back off a bit." "Point taken but wait until you have your own,Clark,you will see how different it is." "I admit I already feel protective of my child and it isn't even born yet. And I'm not sure how I will feel if and when he or she grows up and wants to follow in my or Diana's footsteps. It would seem strange though,considering who we are if it should be blessed and not want to help humanity." "That's how I feel,"said Helena,looking at Clark in admiration."I know I have no super powers but I am a good athlete and fighter and you said I had good detection skills,Dad. I don't see why I can't officially wear the Batgirl costume. I just want to make you proud.'' Bruce's eyes softened. This child knew how to wind him about her finger and everyone knew it. He sighed."Let's make a deal. You try to buck up next semester and I will begin your training myself." Helena's eyes glowed."You mean it?" "Yes but no less than all A's." She sprang up and launched herself at him,hugging him tightly. Clark grinned to see Bruce pretend to protest about being suffocated  but knew that he actually was gratified that his younger daughter was not ashamed to show her love for him in public. "Okay,okay,"said Bruce,disengaging her arms."You are killing my leg. Get off." Helena grinned. She looked triumphant as she took her seat. Eva shook her head wryly,"So,Dad lets you go into the hero business but will not let me go to stay the summer in England with Mark?"  Mark was Eva's British boyfriend of two years. Bruce said dryly,"I can keep an eye on Helena but you half way around the world with that boy is another story." Eva rolled her eyes. Her father was worse when it came to her beau. He tolerated Mark only because he was a Pennyworth descendant. He was Alfred's youngest grand nephew. "See how unfair he is,Uncle Clark?” Clark patted Eva's arm."Sorry,sweetie. Now here is where I agree with your Dad. If I had my way you would be in a convent and come out when you are forty." "Uncle Clark!"She hit him with a pillow. Everyone laughed. Bruce asked,"So what is so important,Clark?" "I have to ask a favor of you,Bruce." Bruce saw his serious expression and put up a hand."I'm not going to be godfather!I am already grandpa to Dick and Babs kids and I'm too old now to take up mentoring. Helena is my own so I'm stuck with her." Selina hit her husband on the arm."Bruce!" Clark looked amused."God-father?Who said anything about godfather?" Bruce looked at him suspiciously."What then?" Clark scratched his chin."Come to think of it,you would be a good godfather and we haven't thought of that. I'm sure Diana would love the idea..." Bruce said testily,"Oh,get to the point,Kent." "Diana and I want to get married but in a small civil ceremony and we need two witnesses. She is asking Donna and I want to ask you." The females in the room squealed and Bruce looked at him gratified."Oh." "Will you do it?" Selina and the girls cried,"Of course he will!" Bruce looked at Clark grimly."I hope you have the fortune to have sons. In a house full of women you are always brow beaten." Selina laughed."Oh never mind him. He's henpecked and loving it." Clark smiled."So it's a yes?" "Just tell me when." "Great. Now about that godfather thing..." "Now wait a minute,Kent..." "Come on,Bruce. The chance to influence possibly the most powerful kid in the world is up for grabs here,"said Clark with a twinkle in his eyes. Helena cried,"Say yes,Dad!" Selina patted his arm."You know you want too,darling." Bruce looked at his friend of  many years and his face grew serious."You know my methods. Are you sure you want me involved in your child's world?" Clark said sincerely,"I trust you with my life,Bruce. You are the most moral and disciplined man I know. Our child especially will need someone who is...incorruptible. How can you even ask me such a foolish question?" Bruce rose as did Clark. He searched his face and saw the truth in the sky blue eyes. The man known as the Dark Knight gripped the hand of the Man of Steel."I will be honored,my friend." Author's note...The ending in this chapter is a sort of Kingdom Come /Dark Knight tribute. Plus I think poor Bruce had no choice really. LOL.