Best Friends Part 3

The Vigil

THE VIGIL. CHAPTER THREE Wonder Woman reached out to brush away the straying black locks from Superman's clammy forehead.She stroked the silver flecks at his temples and gingerly touched the faint bruising on his cheek and jaw.A long sigh escaped her lips. He had lain unconscious in the JLA infirmary for three days.His eyes had barely flickered open since he had been brought in after a brutal fight with an old adversary called Preus. Superman had sustained numerous cuts,bruises and broken bones.Normally his invulnerability would enable quick healing but matters had been complicated by being stabbed with kryptonite blades and losing pints of blood.It had been fortunate Kara and Kon were able to donate blood and that over the years Clark had built up a certain amount of immunity to the substance;if it had been a decade ago he surely would have been dead by now.It was now,according to J'onn and Dr Palmer,down to Superman's will and physiology. Wonder Woman bent her head onto her clasped hands and murmured a prayer to her goddess' for what must have been the tenth time in forty eight hours.But there had been no miracle awakening.Nothing but the beeps and blips of the monitors and lines attached to his bare arms and torso.      Her eyes felt dry and burned.She had rushed to the JLA satellite as soon as she had heard.An action that had caused a certain amount of friction between her and her fiancee. Robert DeCourtenay had been understanding at first.It was Superman after all.He could support the woman he loved going to the side of a colleague who was at death's door;especially if he happened to be one of  the world's greatest heroes and  had just saved the earth from an alien dictator. He became less empathetic after twenty-four hours when she refused to leave Superman's side.They had argued over it via the camera phone link. ************* "For god's sakes,Diana!He's Superman.He's not going to die!" "It has been over thirty hours and he is still not showing any sign of consciousness....." "He's in good hands,you said so yourself.Would it kill you to come home?Have you forgotten we have that White House engagement?'' She had felt guilty about that.They had known of it for weeks and it was to be a special weekend for Robert.He was not only due to dine with the President but possibly meet with the Secretary of Defense and heads from the Pentagon.His rise up the ranks was a certainty.As much as she was proud of him,social status and promotion paled in comparison to Superman's situation. "Mother isn't going to be pleased." Diana had felt herself bristle then. "How does your mother come into this?" "You know she's only just coming to terms with our engagement.How do you think she'll feel when she hears you are deserting me?" "I am not deserting you!I am here for Superman.....who could have died protecting this planet.....your Planet!" "Well,I can hardly tell her that, can I?" "You know what,Robert,do as you please!" "What?Surely you don't mean....?" "I do not care at this point.You think your mother will feel better if she knew who mousy Diana Prince really is and why she's really "deserting" you? Go ahead!I will remain here until I know my friend is out of danger!" "Diana,don't you dare hang up....." "Goodbye,Robert.I will speak to you soon.Good luck at the White House." "Diana!" She had hung up on him then.She had looked at J'onn who was sitting across the room at a console. She had asked wearily,"Am I being unreasonable?" The Manhunter had said dispassionately,"You made a choice." ***************** Diana sighed.It was a choice she may come to regret.In her heart she knew she was where she wanted to be but her head keep asking her why.What did it matter who kept watch at his side? Would he care?Why was she risking her future with one man who loved her for one who...possibly never..... She shook her head sternly and muttered,"Stop it." A voice behind her made her jump. "Did you say something?" She turned quickly to see Superwoman. "Kara,you startled me!" "You are talking to yourself,Diana.Not a good sign.You look exhausted.You need to rest!" "I'm fine",she shrugged. "I'll stay with him if you want to go lie down." "No....I think I ought to stay." "It's over twenty-four hours since you took a break." "This is nothing.When one is fighting wars and villains  one barely sleeps." "But you aren't fighting Ares or saving the galaxy today....please go lie down...even for an hour...." "No!Please.....Kara....I want....I need to be here!" Superwoman looked at her in surprise.It was unlike Diana to look so agitated at a simple request. "Okay,okay.I just don't want to have you collapsing on me too." Wonder Woman said very low,"I know.It's just.....I am afraid I won't be here if....if...he passes.......like the last time.Lois was there for him.He died in her arms.It was her right.....I....." She looked up at Kara,pale-faced and resolute,the only thing betraying her was the solitary tear trailing down her cheek. Kara felt a catch in her own throat.Truth be told she was afraid also.She had been trying not to think of it;she assumed it was a matter of course for him to recover.She had not yet come to earth when he had been killed by Doomsday.But she had heard of it.She had glanced at  footage in the archives and it had been unwatchable.She could not bear the thought of losing the one being in the world that made her feel safe and connected to what she had lost.He was her family. Kara reached her hand out to Diana's.There was no need for words.She drew up a chair and the two women in the world who loved him most kept vigil at his bedside. *****************************    Superman's eyes flickered open.He blinked and focused.The light was turned down low but he could immediately recognize the JLA infirmary. Memory flashed and he could recall the dying moments of battle.Of Preus and his army downed,surrounded by Lantern Corps,of himself falling into dead space....of blinding pain and then blackness. He winced.Not from pain,but from numbness.He stirred and attempted to sit up.As he did,he realized there was an oxygen line in his nostrils;he was attached to monitors recording his brainwaves,sinus rhythms,respiration, blood gases,temperature and blood pressure.There was even a drip stand. He sat upright,beginning to pull out the lines when his eyes fell on a figure at his right.It was Wonder Woman.She was curled up in a chair,with a blanket over her legs and a book splayed open on her lap.A gentle smile tilted his lips. He peeled off he last of the attachments and swung his legs over the side.There was a large bandage about his torso.He remembered being stabbed several times.He remembered the pain.He yanked the bandage off.Sure enough the skin was healed,showing only a faint discoloured bruising that would no doubt disappear soon. He looked down at himself and grimaced.He was in cotton boxers.He looked around;his uniform was hanging from a hook on the wall.It was in a state of disrepair;the cape was singed and torn and the torso slashed.He picked up the blue tights only to hear a shriek behind him. "Kal!What are you doing?!" The lights brightened and Superwoman dropped the tray she was carrying.The clatter made Wonder Woman jump.Superman bent to pick up the bandages, dressing pack and tray. "I don't think you'll be needing these",he observed mildly. She grabbed him around the neck before he could do anything and hugged him."You're awake!Oh thank god!What are you doing,you silly man?You should be in bed!" She took him by the hand like one would a child."Your wound! Oh, it's healed!Diana!Look,it's healed!" Diana's face was full of joy,relief and concern.She rushed over and caught his arm."Clark,are you okay?How do you feel?" Clark said, looking from one solicitous face to the next,"Well, nice to see you gals too.Seriously,my uniform....?" Kara said firmly,"No....no..help me,Diana, get him to bed." As they herded him to bed,he protested,"Come on,let a man put some clothes on at least!" He was pushed,mainly by his cousin, to sit down on the edge of the bed.She felt his brow and pulse."Are you in pain?Are you dizzy?" Diana went to the sidebar and poured out a glass of water. "Here,Kal,drink." He took the glass and said dryly,"I'm fine.For heaven's sakes,Kara,stop fussing.Yes,Princess,I'm drinking.Happy?" She took the glass off him with a twinkle in her blue eyes."Thank you,Superman." "Now may I get up?" "No!Jonn and Ray need to see you first.You were nearly dead when they brought you in,Kal.You need to get back to bed,"Kara declared. "What?I'm not getting back into bed." "Kal,you can't go traipsing......" "I'm not going traipsing.I just want to salvage my dignity and talk to someone who won't cluck like a mother hen around me,"the Man of Steel returned bluntly. Wonder Woman tried not to laugh.She touched his arm. "Clark,listen to your cousin." Superman was about to refuse.She mouthed the word "Please" and pulled the covers back. He rolled his eyes and put his legs up. Kara noted with satisfaction."Good.Now keep him there while I go get J'onn and Ray." Once Kara had gone,Diana propped his pillows so he could lay upright.She gently tucked the sheet around his waist."You know you won't have gotten any peace if you had continued to argue." He grimaced,'"I just battled one of the most sadistic villains and yet I'm cowed by by my little cousin and friend." She said almost apologetically,"We were very worried." Diana went to pick up the fallen tray and put it on the side bar; Superman asked,"How long have I been out?" "Three and a half days.It's the 21st today." "That long,eh?' She picked up the tights which had been throw aside by Kara  to hang it with the rest of the famous red and blue ensemble."You need to throw these out.....only the boots look reusable." Clark looked pensive almost lost in his own thoughts;he then asked,"Preus?" "Incarcerated by the Guardians for life.He's in a worst state than you.I gather from Hal he is crippled." "He gave me quite a fight.Moments I thought I was a goner." She looked at the sliced fabric of the torso of the uniform and winced inwardly."If I had known........no one alerted me..." "It happened suddenly.You were in Themyscira.The Lantern Corps came to aid me.....Besides,I don't think I'd have wanted you there......" She turned to look at him;she looked offended."I could have helped." "You could have died,"he returned blankly. She said crossly,"You know you do not have the privilege to tell me what I may or may not do,Superman." He conceded mildly,"No,that will soon be the Captain's job to try.Speaking of the Captain,aren't you supposed to be in the White House?" "Yes,I suppose he is." "He is?And you...?" "I am here.....with you",Diana returned blankly. "Why are you here....with me?",he demanded curiously. They were walking the tight rope again.The truth was at the tip of her tongue and his eyes were almost willing her to say something. She turned back to the uniform;the S insignia was red in a sea of black.He had not changed it since Lois.......Memories of his dead wife,of his grief when he lost her, assailed Diana.She did what she could only do. She turned to face him with a bright smile and shrug."What are friends for?" She saw Kara coming with her two colleagues and let out a breath of relief."Here they come.I must go.You'll be fine,Kal.I'll see you soon." Superman watched her go;he would have followed her with his super vision but for the professor and the psychic alien before him. ********************* Diana hurried out of the infirmary towards the main control room.On her way she stopped to lean against a window along the long corridor and stared upon the earth rotating millions of miles beneath the satellite. How could one erase the past?How could one go on without ghosts haunting them?Clark Kent had loved Lois Lane.He had chosen her.A thousand years and beyond and Lois would still be the only one,he had said to her.She remembered it as if it were yesterday.He had barely looked at her as he said it;but it had been said.And Diana had accepted it.Because it had been the right thing to do and what they might have been tempted to do had been wrong.In a way he had released them from any residual feelings from the past and made her heart understand that she needed to move on. And she had moved on after that.There had been several men who had loved and wanted her.Even Bruce had looked at her with desire one time.But they had both been lonely and she vulnerable.It would have been wrong too.His heart always had been Selina's,and Diana had been lost and searching for anyone to fill the void. Lois' death had only worsen matters between her and Clark.He had grown more and more restless after the funeral;volunteering to go on long deep-space missions,determined to throw himself into work,to be away from anything familiar,any reminders of what he had  lost. Diana would only see him months at a time.Then he left the League and Metropolis and took up a post as a foreign correspondent,in Europe,then Asia and Latin America.He did this for five years,touching base with his friends and colleagues only through phonecalls,e-mails and his articles. He must have made some peace with himself because he came back to Smallville to stay on the Kent farm,which was still in the family.Diana saw him several times;it had been mainly through invites to dinner with the Waynes in Gotham.It was here he had confided his hopes of writing a novel and taking time off to research it.He left when she was being courted by Robert.He had returned to find them a couple. She knew how Clark felt about Robert.He respected him and had made it clear to Diana he was happy for them.Diana cared for Robert ;she had accepted his troth of love.It was not the giddy, naive love of youth and infatuation.Older,wiser,she realized love could be built upon mutual respect and admiration.She felt,well mostly,comfortable with Robert.Never uncertainty or the butterflies in the gut she had felt when she was around Superman in the early days. Now he was back and free.But it made no difference.Who would want a man who chose another and was still possibly mourning her?Did anyone want to be second choice?He was probably lonely and any woman would be able to get him to fall into their hands! Diana lifted her head upright and began to briskly walk to the transporters.She had a man who adored her.She owed it to go to him now. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------