Best Friends Part 2

by Hellacre13
	Set years after Lois' death.Diana is engaged to another.Clark is back in town,working as a writer and free-lance journalist.Clark has rejoined the New League's Roster.

Not a Date

NOT A DATE CHAPTER TWO "Clark,you did not tell me you made the Phoenix Prize short list for book of the year!" The man dressed in the blue and red uniform at the monitor turned to see the Flash,with Superwoman behind him,waving the  hand-held compact modern combo of mobile technology, that broadcast  the news, in his face. Superman blinked and cleared his throat."Oh.Yes.That.Seems they like my book." Kara said,"Cousin Kal,it says the ceremony is tonight at the Royal Plaza. That's very fancy,isn't it?" Wally West ,still as buoyant and cocky in his forties, enthused,"You are talking champagne and caviar fancy,Kara.With the best writers,poets and journalists around the world in one room." He sniffed at the paragraph listing the nominees. "Competition looks pretty stiff.You are in a category with some literary greats here,Clark. It says this A.S.Jonson..... 'is a modern day Shakespeare who bagged the Phoenix five years ago and whose novel is already a bestseller'.Then there is Maxine Carter.....'controversial but challenging,her novel on corruption in the halls of power has caused waves in government circles'.Then there is........" Kara took her cousin's arm and cut Wally off mid-paragraph. "Kal's work can stand up to anyone's there,even if it is his first attempt at fiction." Flash said,"Yeah,I am sure.What did you write about again?" Kara said crossly,"It was a story set in Europe and America, amidst  the horrors of war.A story of one man's journey from losing faith to finding redemption." Wally whistled."Sounds heavy." "Wally,didn't I give you a complementary digital copy?",asked Clark, with an amused quirk of the brow. "Er,yeah...I guess you did.See...I...er,I loaned it to Linda,who said she loaned it to her best friend.I tell her to get it back...." Clark smiled."It's alright,Wally.I know you were never a great reader." "News and comics,that's me.But seriously,I'll try to read it." Kara frowned."Kal,it is six o'clock now.I mean,I know speed is not an issue here but why aren't you going home to get changed?You are going, aren't you?" He looked at them, a tad guilty."Well,now that you mention it,I thought.....you know,it was unlikely I'd be receiving any award,so,why bother?" Kara cried,"Kal,you must go!You have to!" The Flash agreed."Yes,come on, Clark.I was just joking.This is about your hard work being recognized.Putting a face to the name of Clark Kent, author,and you never know,Book of the Year." Clark said seriously,"It's the putting the face to the author I have the problem with.I can't afford too many questions about my personal life and my aging." "Oh please,it is 2030!Everyone looks younger than their biological age. With all the implants and injectables and lasers,they'll just think you've had cosmetic rejuvenation or something.Besides you can do that slouching, retiring,geek thing that you do so well.They won't bat an eyelid!!!! And to top it all,you get to party with the cream of society!",Wally responded swiftly. Clark said, with a grimace,"Ah,therein lies the rub.You see,it is a bit formal....black tie affair,dinner,ceremony,and after party and well I er,have...no date." The Flash held his head."No date!Aw ,come on!You are Superman!You can get any date!" "Wally,I have to be Clark Kent tonight." "Yeah,so?I bet one of the office gals would go with you? What about  Sarah?Or that Police Chief that always fancied you?Lupe?Or Lana?Or that reporter you dated last month?" "Everyone is busy or, in Lana's case, married." "You could go with Kara." Kara rolled her eyes."With me?! Kal,as willing as I would be to help you out,taking your cousin is a bit lame." Clark said seriously,"No,not Kara.Too much press." Wally's eyes lit up as his gaze fell upon the monitor that began to light up with the signal of an incoming leaguer.It was Wonder Woman coming in to do monitor duty. "I've got it! Just the person!" He hurried towards the transporter.Superman frowned as the Flash dashed in front of the Amazon princess just as she was about to step down from the transporter. "Diana! Got an urgent job for you!" "Gracious! Good evening to you too,Wally.What the...?" He hustled her to stand before Superman,who, now understanding what the Flash had in mind,began to shake his head. "No,this isn't fair.Diana has monitor duty...." "Which we will do!",Flash finished rapidly."Right Kara?" Kara blinked."We will?" Flash elbowed her and she exclaimed," Oh! Yes!We will!" Diana looked bewildered."What is going on here,Clark?What are these two on about?" Kara took up the communications gadget and showed the article to Diana. "See!Kal was nominated." Diana's face lit up. "Oh Clark,how wonderful!I told you that book was good work." She then wrinkled her brow."But the ceremony is only one hour away.Why are you still here?" Flash interrupted Superman before he could speak. "That is where you come in.Clark Kent needs a date." "A date?" Wonder Woman cocked her head at the Man of Steel. Superman gave both his cousin and Flash a warning glare and  returned to his station to continue his entry of data into the files. He said briskly,"Diana,don't pay any attention to them.I do not need a date because I'm not going anywhere.I have this report to finish for Jonn...." Kara whispered to Wonder Woman,"He is chickening out.Go on,your Highness, order him to go." Superman said dryly,"I heard that." Wonder Woman came around to face him over the work station. She said,"Clark, you need to do this." "I'm not likely to win anything,"he said dismissively. "That is not the point.I know how hard you worked on this book.It took you years to research and write.You are being recognized for it.You should be there even if it's to hear your name called." Superman pretended to begin studying the statistical data from a report he had complied last week."It's not that big a deal.My name is called and I get a mention in the press.I get enough hassle as Superman as it is.Clark does not need the publicity." She grabbed the slate from him and said irritably,"Stop talking about yourself in the third person.You are Clark as much as you are Superman.And Clark can face anything..even a barrage of nosy press....." He looked at her crossly."I need that." She threw it at Wally."Not where you will be going." Wally caught it neatly and interjected,"You tell him,Di!" Superman rose to his full height,glared down at her and turned his back to face Wally."Will you stop trying to organize my life?I don't need a date because I'm not going.Give that back,West." He held out his hand for the report. Diana reached out and touched him on the shoulder from behind. She said, almost wistfully,"Kal,I would have been honoured to go with you." He stopped,turned and looked at her.A look of penitence crossed his face. He said, with a groan,"Don't look at me like that." She sensed victory and assailed him with the final battery of  a forlorn sigh and look of disappointment."I just hoped......Never mind......." Clark's wall crumpled with that.He never could bear to see anything mar her beautiful face. "Oh, for crying out loud.Very well.We'll go to the darn thing!Stop looking as if someone died." Kara beamed and clapped."Yay!!!!!Go,Diana!" Diana smiled smugly. Clark narrowed his eyes at her. He observed dryly,"You are a minx,Diana,Princess of the Amazons.Next time you bat your eyes like that I"ll know what to do." She laughed but insisted."I meant it.Anyway what would you do? Generally, you can't refuse me anything." It was not a boast.It was a fact.He would do anything for her and they both knew it.He'd go to the ends of the earth if she asked him to.He even went for 1000 years away from Lois for her.One thousand nights of torture and desperation. Praying to go home everyday as he felt himself slipping further away from Lois.The more he was closer to having Diana the more he was prepared to sabotage them.He never analyzed the phenomena,but he knew it in his gut that he was too fearful to get her,have her and  then risk losing her.The thought was too much to bear.Keeping her at arms length made it safe,would keep her safe. "You are not brave enough to ask me for anything,"he retorted, gazing down at her, risking treading on dangerous ground because they were not alone. Diana folded her arms."Oh really?" "Yes.Really." "You seem to think you know a lot about the way I think." "I could say the same about you." "Er,I don't know why you are two arguing but time is running out," Kara announced impatiently. "We are not arguing,Kara,"said Clark."We are just discussing something." "You are?" Diana nodded."You would not understand." The Flash cried exasperated,"Who the hell could? Go!You need to get ready. You have forty-five minutes and the world is not expecting Superman and Wonder Woman to fly in.Clark Kent and Diana Prince need to get moving!" He pushed them towards the direction of the transporters. Superman looked at Wonder Woman as they stepped into the ports. "You are sure about this?" Diana berated,"Clark!" "Okay,okay.Shall we meet at the corner of Park and Crescent?It is a block from the Plaza.We can walk to it and make an inconspicuous entrance." She nodded."Yes.I'll see you in fifteen minutes." They ported out.The Flash looked at Superwoman. "Why is it still complicated with them?" Kara sighed."It's worse now.And Lois is dead.It does not help also that Diana has a boyfriend.And you know Kal,too honourable to make a move while she is with someone." "He's been back  six months;he is the reason I came back.It is almost like old times.Even if Bruce helps out from behind a computer and Arthur condescends only to grace us with his presence if the oceans are affected.It is so obvious how Clark avoids  too many team-ups with her now.There was a time you could not get them apart.They were good together though,in fact they worked well as a team.People just responded to them.When they were together they were like two demi-gods........." Kara blinked."Goodness,I did not know you were so sentimental,Wally." "I am old enough to understand a few things about life and relationships and I know fate has been testing of those two." Kara agreed."It's as if there is some force keeping them apart,and it is frustrating because it is something you know that is meant to be.I do not mean to sound disloyal to Lois.I liked her and I know how much he loved her.Yet I believe Diana is the one for him." "Maybe they both were meant for him,but at different times in his life.Love is not exclusive to age and we love differently each time.These loves gives us the things we need when we have them." Kara looked at him impressed."Well,well,you sound so grown up,Mr West." He smiled."Don't spread it around.We would not want them thinking I am wise and too responsible.Right,now, seeing I am your senior,I nominate you for first watch,and  maker of coffee and snacks.I'd like a roast beef and...." "In your dreams.We toss for it........" "Aw come on,be kind to an old man." *********************************************** "Well,"Clark Kent said, as he and Diana Prince left the auditorium of the Plaza into the foyer and out the revolving doors,"at least we were well fed,if not the toast of the town." Diana drew her pashmina about her shoulders as they stepped into the chilly spring night.It was about ten pm and she and Clark had opted not to hang back for the after-party. She said,"I think controversy won out over humanity.I may be biased but I liked your book over hers......." Clark said philosophically,"Scandal feeds the jaded world we live in.So it is no surprise.Still, the publicity will help pay my bills.It is only only ten....we were sent with the expectation we'd be partying until early morning.I don't think Wally and Kara would be impressed at our early retreat." "They would be horrified if we went home,seeing as they are doing the monitor duty.I am tempted to say lets go flying but in a tuxedo and cocktail dress we'd be the talk of the town.And I don't really want to sport the uniform if I don't have to..........,"she replied. He suggested,"It's a nice, clear evening.Let's take a walk down the embankment like the two old-timers that we are." Diana agreed."Yes.That sounds good,Mr Kent.At least we won't have to hang our heads in shame at our lack of adventure." "You never know,Missy;there is a bingo hall and a cafe down the end of the river,"Clark returned with arms akimbo."We could do some serious damage if we wanted to." She giggled."This town better watch out." They walked across the square,towards the river, occasionally stopping to admire the lights reflecting on the water, some old piece of architecture or to smile at the various couples strolling like them selves.They chatted about various topics,with the ease of friends.The cafe that Clark had mentioned came into view. He suggested,"A hot brew?" "Mmmmm,I'd love a tea." They went into the establishment.It was not a new place like the big coffee houses in the main part of town,with their trendy bar stools and sofas and pretentious concoctions.It was a small and cosy 1950's building that still boasted its old decor and its owner,a chubby man in his seventies,greeted Clark with a familiarity that made Diana realize that her friend had in fact been a regular patron during his Planet days and still came despite his freelancing. "Mr Kent.What a surprise!You back in town.Hey guys,look , our roving reporter has returned!" The owner turned to the customers sitting down.They were mainly the patrons from the bingo hall next door,and Diana realized most of them were probably just a little older to her and Clark's age,only none of them looked as young as they both did.The irony of the situation made her smile.It also made her look at Clark with a warmth she could not disguise.Typical of him to come to a place like this.It was this connection he had with everyman that made him so unique.The old folks  waved at Clark from where they sat. "Mr Kent,you look very dapper." "Good to see you,my boy.You' re looking well." "Are you back for good?" As Clark answered their questions,a few curious stares went her way.She thanked the gods her Diana Prince persona was such that she never got the jarring sort of attention she normally got as Wonder Woman.However the folks here were very interested in her. "Who is this lovely young lady ,Mr Kent?"'asked one lady. "Oh,this is Miss Prince.A very good friend of mine." "Hello,Miss Prince.It's time I said he got himself a girl." Diana felt herself blush as she realized several pairs of elderly eyes were appraising her.Their affection for Clark was obvious and they were nodding to themselves as if in satisfaction that  one of their younger sons had done themselves well. She said hastily,"We are not together......." Clark said almost simultaneously,"She is not my girl......." They nodded at them,almost as if to humour them,but the same old woman said,"Nonsense!She is a lovely girl.What's wrong with her?" Clark looked mollified."Nothing,Mrs Cohen.But she and I are only friends." One of the old men said."Yeah sonny.Just friends.We know how that one goes." "Seriously,Miss Prince is engaged." They looked at Diana as if she had suddenly grown horns. Mrs Cohen said,"Engaged?Humph,what kind of fellow is he?He as good as our Mr Kent here?" Diana looked bewildered but felt almost compelled to answer."He is an officer in the Air Force." "Ah,uniform man, eh?Looks dashing.Always a bit too wild. You mark my words.You'd do better with Kent." "I am not.....We are not  romantically involved.We've never been and .....never.....will...",she said, blushing furiously over the last words. Mrs Cohen barked at them both,"So what are you doing with an engaged woman at this time of night?Your man know you are here?" Diana looked helplessly at Clark.Being interrogated by six senior citizens was worst that being tortured by Darkseid. She found herself stammering"Well no...we...we decided to do this on the....the....spur of the moment....but my fiancee is very understanding." Another man piped his two cents in."I would not have let my girl date anyone else." Clark said defensively,"This is not a date,Mr Brown" Mrs Cohen asked,"What is it then?It's ten thirty pm.You two are dressed to the nines, her fiancee has no idea where she is and you are not exactly in a hurry to get home....." Diana said,"With all due respect,this is the 21st century.We are modern thinking and relationships are about trust and........" "So if your guy was out with some gal he calls a friend late at night without you knowing ,you'd be fine?" Diana looked taken aback. She lied however."Of course.I'd trust him." They shook their heads mainly in disbelief. The owner came up behind them. "Come on you all,give the kids a break.They are not here for you to poke your noses into their affairs.Mr Kent, will you and Miss Prince take a seat?" Clark nodded relieved."Thank you,Mr Jones." The owner had the tact to show them to a booth across the room,where they could speak in private.He apologized to them for his customers. "They mean well.They don't stand on ceremony.I hope you didn't take them too seriously." Clark replied,"Believe me,I won't.Two Earlgreys,please" As he went to fetch their tea,Diana let out a gasp."It's like  the Inquisition!Is is only me,but I could not string a sentence together,Kal?!" He said wryly,"They are a pretty feisty group." "They should come work for the league.They'd make short work of any interrogation.Even Bruce would be impressed!" He smiled."They are amazing though.Most of them have lost spouses, children,friends;they come here for the society." "How long have you been coming here?" "Some years after I married Lois,I use to come and do my best thinking here whilst I fleshed out a story." "They knew Lois?" "No.They knew I lost a wife though.I think they sort of adopted me then." Diana grimaced."That Mrs Cohen,what a tongue on that one." "She's very outspoken." He paused as their tea came.Once alone and fixing their respective brews,he said,"Diana,Robert will not mind you coming with me tonight?" She said,"Off course not.He'll understand.They are making a big deal over nothing.They are old fashioned...." Clark reminded her gently,"Diana,some of them are no older than you and I......" She paused,and sighed."Gods,I keep forgetting how much time has passed. Well,Lois always understood........" The look on his face made her stare at him intently."Clark?She understood. Right?" Clark took a sip.He said gravely."Truthfully?Not always. " "But we never.......Not even before you started dating her." "She knew that.But that did not make it easier for her.She was very insecure about you." "Why?She had no cause........you choose her to share your life...",Diana began confused. "Diana,do you look at yourself in the mirror?" "Don't be silly,of course I do." "No,Diana.Really look at yourself." "What do you mean?" Clark said simply,"You are very,very beautiful.And what makes you even more amazing is that you have no idea the effect you have on people.Then there is your courage, selflessness, strength,compassion....I could go on.........Which normal woman could deal with that?" Diana looked saddened."I am sorry,Kal." He shook his head."Don't be.It's in the past.But relationships are always hard work to keep alive and I would not like to be a reason for yours and Robert's to suffer." She bit her lower lip.In her heart she knew Robert did not quite like Superman's closeness to Wonder Woman.History was doomed to repeat itself it seemed. She stated firmly,"Our friendship means a lot to me,Clark." Somehow that admission did not seem to make things better.Clark looked troubled. He said,"I know.I lost it one time and won't again........" She knew he meant that horrible time with Max Lord.It was one of the worst times of her life.Made worse because he had judged her harshly.She had killed for him;and he had despised the thought of her tarnishing herself for him.The years had passed,making that hurt less and making him realize she was fallible and not perfect.It made him less anxious about his own worth but more anxious about his feelings for her. Diana looked at him.There was a wistfulness in his gaze that made her want to reach out and touch him.It was funny,how careful they were about touching each other now.He kept a respectful distance,and if he touched her  it was brief and rare. She said softly,"It's in the past.No recriminations remember?" "Just regrets," he said and looked at her intently. She looked down, suddenly not wanting to meet his gaze. "I hurt you  back then,"he said flatly. "We hurt each other,"she replied,staring at the cup and saucer. "You did not turn your back on me.I was so caught up in my selfish fears to save only what I cared for.I could have killed you.I did not remember what I did but I saw it.I looked at those tapes nearly everyday for weeks after to remind me what I could have done to Bruce....to you....to anyone who had gotten in my way." She tried to look cheerful and reached out her right hand to touch his fingers."We moved on.We learned.Don't look so guilty.Friends forgive and forget,don't they?" He looked at her hand and touched her wrist almost as one would a fragile piece of glass."I snapped your wrist.I can see where I broke it even after it has healed",he said, using his x-ray vision instinctively. Diana felt the hairs raise on her skin.She drew her hand back rapidly and hid it in her lap.She forced a laugh."I left you with a souvenir too." He touched his throat.It had healed neatly,but the magic of her tiara had left the faintest scar that could only be seen in strong light. "Marked me for life,"he conceded."No one has had that distinction." The double meaning of his words left her flustered.She looked up at him helplessly.He saw the dismay and longing in her eyes for the briefest of seconds and he fought the urge to reach out and do something rash.But Clark Kent was never impulsive nor was he a man to touch what was not his.If only she would ask.But she wouldn't.She couldn't.Not now;not this way.If she had wanted him in  the past,she had never betrayed it because of Lois.How could he do that to her now,when she had moved on and was in love with another. Diana shrugged airily,pretending to not understand,"Never mess with a woman." He smiled."She is a force to be reckoned with.Lois use to brow-beat me into submission........you....you unashamedly make me feel either  I am the biggest toad alive or I  am doing you the greatest service in the world........" Diana laughed."You make me sound so conniving." "You use to be so innocent.Time has dented your halo, Princess." "Well, you have grown somewhat mulish in your middle-age, Superman." "Me?That's a case of pot calling the kettle black.You are the stubborn one." "When last have I  been stubborn?" "Ho ho!That is a laugh.What about the chopping up the rose heads,eh?" "I lost my temper.It is not the same." "It is one side of the same coin." "You want to know who is stubborn?Bruce. Ollie. Artemis. Kara.Shyera.I am not like them.....I....You are laughing at me now, aren't you?" "I'm sorry......you are in no way as cantankerous as Ollie and Bruce........Hey,have you heard of Garth recently?" "No.How is he?" "A little  one is on the way." "Really?Oh, that is wonderful!" They chatted about the impending fatherhood of the new Aquaman;it was light and pleasant and by the time they got up to leave it was near midnight.A handful of Mr Jones' customers were still there.It seemed Mrs Cohen's grandson was due to pick them up after a shift on the docks.As the pair left they bade everyone goodnight. Mrs Cohen called after them,"Bring back your girlfriend,Mr Kent." Clark stopped to return exasperated,"She is not my...." Mr Brown waved him away."Pull the other one.You've spent the last hour staring at her.....not that I can blame you.She's a fine figure of a woman.......Got a pretty smile and nice ankles." Mrs Cohen rebuked."Albert,don't be so fresh!" "Well,she has.I'm an old guy and I can see it.Kent isn't blind,are you,lad?" Clark shook his head in resignation."You are all bent on embarrassing me aren't you?" Diana laughed and said,"Oh leave it,Kal.They are just baiting you.Come on!" She pulled him outside and slipped her arm through his."Let's go home." He said ruefully ,"I bet you'll never come back here." "Why not?" "You did not mind?" "Mind?Why should I mind?It is so refreshing to meet outspoken, honest people after having to rub shoulders with some of those upper crust snobs I come across all the time..And the tea was excellent." "Well it was a good....er...none-date,type of outing then?" "Yes,"she conceded magnanimously."I'd say it was.Time for Miss Prince to catch a train.I can just catch the last one home.Walk me to the station?" "I can do better than that." Before she could utter a word he had moved with the speed of Mercury himself.If anyone on the embankment had been looking they would have been none the wiser.In the barest twitch of a mortal eye,he had transformed into his famous uniform and had scooped her up and was over the city,high above the clouds. Diana squealed. "Claaaaarrrk.......!!!!!!!!!" By the time she had finish the word,she realized she was in his arms and was being flown home, which was an entire city altogether, at  a speed only someone as strong she was could withstand.Her glasses flew off with the force of the wind. He apologized."Sorry but you don't really need it ,do you?" Her hair was whipped out of its coiled chignon and flew like a banner behind them. She had very little choice but to lean closer to him and keep her purse and shawl from going the way of her glasses. She was being let down onto her own balcony in less than two minutes. "Here we are.Sorry about the speed but I thought it wise to get you home fast." Normally she could fly with the best of them,and if he ever carried her in the past she had been injured  or unconscious.His raw power was unequaled to anything or anyone she had ever known.She was taken aback by how unprepared she was for the feeling of wonder,awe and exhilaration. She let out a deep breath."Thank you,I think" He smiled and turned to go. "I'll see you at the next League meeting?" "I...yes......sure." "Goodnight,Diana." "Goodnight,Kal." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------