Brave New World
Written by Arcadia
Chapter 9: The Calm Before the Storm
China
The latest typhoon flooded a small village in China. The citizens knew the storm was coming but underestimated its strength and the rain it brought. There weren't enough sandbags to stop the flood leaving many homes destroyed by the powerful waters. A family who refused to leave during the first wave of evacuations huddled on top of their home that was on the verge of collapsing. They accepted their fate they would die together once the flood waters consume them away but it wasn't meant to be. The father of the family of four noticed a man with a large 'S' across his chest descending from the sky.
Twenty miles off the Florida coast.
A bomb goes off in the port side of a Caribbean cruise ship. Water poured into the ship, sinking it faster than people can put on life preservers and get to the lifeboats. Even in New York, Kal-El could hear the cries for help. He was flying over Georgia when the call came in from J'onn. Kal-El weld the hole created by the bomb and dried up the water in the ship with his heat vision before towing the ship back to harbor.
Steve Trevor sat in his office watching footage of Kal-El in London fighting Grodd. The intelligent gorilla thought he had an advantage over Kal-El mentally since he couldn't defeat him physically but that wasn't the case as Kal-El defeated Grodd with his mind control bands and physically subdued the large gorilla.
Steve flipped the channel to another news station and Kal-El dominated that. This time he was in the North Atlantic clearing the skies of ash from a volcano that was threatening to blow. The ash blocked air travel, forced flights to be canceled, which forced events such as movie premieres, concerts and conventions to be canceled and stranding millions of people in airports, hotels and cities for a week across the world before Kal-El intervened.
"Show off," Steve muttered and flipped the channel again.
Sam Lane entered Steve's office. Steve wasn't surprised to see him. He was coming over frequently since Kal-El made himself known to the world. It would be nice if Sam Lane called first or knocked once in a while.
"He's not wasting time winning people over, is he?" Steve turned off the TV. He had enough of the Kal-El show.
"The more he goes out there saving people, the more the people love him," Sam Lane sneered. "I haven't seen Diana Prince around lately. Did you give her a vacation? Rewarding her for keeping the alien a secret?"
"Yes." Two weeks was enough to hide the truth from Sam Lane. He was surprised the old General didn't pick up on the news sooner but Sam Lane wasn't interested in Diana and Kal-El's arrival dominated him lately. "A permanent one. I fired her two weeks ago."
The face of the cold, cruel Sam Lane lit up, rivaling that of the Grinch who stole Christmas. "Did you? You finally came to your senses?"
"I finally saw the truth," was Steve's only response. "And I don't want to talk about it anymore. Diana is gone from DOMA. There's no sense to bring her up again."
That was good enough for Sam Lane. "Good. We can focus on more important things such as what to do with this alien. He is a threat to society. He's buttering them up before he unleashes his powers and Kryptonian warfare on the world. We should strike first before he does."
"I agree," Steve said, "And I want in on whatever you have planned for him."
Sam Lane's soulless smile had Steve reconsidering his idea to join Sam Lane. For a moment. "I was hoping you'd say that. You won't regret joining my organization."
In Bruce Wayne's office with Kal-El were two of his top scientists: Dr. Benten, a Scotsman who worked at Wayne Enterprises London division but relocated to Gotham to work closely with Kal-El and an English female scientist, Dr. Griff, the head of Wayne Enterprises technology division in Gotham.
All three watched Kal-El demonstrate the Argosian Garbage Vaporizer. Each scientist read Kal-El's report on the device; how it was made on Krypton and Earth materials that can be used to make it. The device was small. No bigger than a round crock pot. They were amazed to see the paper bag containing the remains of a fast food lunch from MJ's diner evaporate before their eyes.
"If we can get this into every home, it will really cut down on the garbage and landfills around the world," Dr. Griff said. "We might finally be able to deal with the garbage problem."
"I've studied your report of the Argosian Garbage Vaporizer," Dr. Benten said to Kal-El. "The team Dr. Griff and I created can have 300,000 ready for homes in three months. After the initial sales, we can proceed on how much more we should build."
"Even though this will benefit homes and businesses, not to mention the environmental impact of the world, we have to consider how this will affect the industrial and waste management industry," Bruce said carefully. "With less garbage pick up, many sanitary workers may be out of a job."
"Not really," Kal-El said. "The vaporizer is only a foot wide. The bigger things will still need to be picked up. Also, the waste management workers can be trained to do more. Krypton didn't have landfills like Earth does. That was dealt with a long time ago but I know how it was done. I'll have to build a prototype of larger vaporizers for your scientists to follow and once we build enough, the sanitary workers can be trained to reduce the landfills. It will take a while but all the landfills on this planet will be gone and after purifying the land again it could be used for something beneficial." Kal-El was confident about that.
"How soon can you get started on it?" Bruce asked. "I want it to coincide with the introduction of the Argosian Garbage Vaporizer to assure the public, particularly your critics, there won't be a job loss."
"In the next week," Kal-El said. "It may take another week or two to finish, depending on my schedule."
Bruce nodded his agreement as he picked up his ringing desk phone. Though he was wary of trusting Kal-El, Bruce was amazed at how well they worked together. At Wayne Enterprises at least. He refused to work with him on the Justice League roster. "Wayne." He frowned. "Again?" This time he looked at Kal-El. "Your friend Lois Lane-Olsen is calling again."
Kal-El rolled his eyes. Her again. She was very persistent in wanting an interview from him. Though she was married, she often went by her maiden name, Lane, in the press. Kal-El wondered if she was related to Sam Lane and given what Diana told him of Sam Lane, Kal-El didn't want anything to do with Lois Lane. "She should interview you. Your life's more interesting than mine. Especially," he added with a sly smile, "your night life."
It was the only time Kal-El witnessed Batman in his Bruce Wayne persona close to revealing his infamous scowl. "Sorry, Mrs. Olsen, but Kal-El isn't interested in giving interviews." He paused as Lois said something. "No. He will talk when he wants to. Goodbye." Bruce hung up on her before he could say anymore. "She's gonna keep trying until you give her that interview."
"I won't give her an interview because she begs or pulls ridiculous stunts to get my attention." He was almost as surprised as Bruce to see Lois sneak into Wayne Enterprises during Kal-El's first week but even worse, she got into Bruce's office. The security guard on that floor was promptly fired.
Kal-El's earpiece beeped. "Sorry, but my other job is calling me."
Bruce pressed a button on his desk, opening the wide screen window of his office. "We'll continue this later."
Kal-El jumped out the window. One second, he was dressed in slacks and a button down shirt and in the next, he was in his uniform flying off to save the day.
Dr. Griff sighed. "I'm going to like working with him."
Bruce rolled his eyes.
Batman worked alone in his bat cave. It was a slow night in Gotham for once and when Bruce finished his patrol, he returned home to catch up on past projects he started but haven't the time to finish. He put his projects on hold after meeting Kal-El and learning he found out his identity. He spent numerous hours beefing up security around his cave to detect Kal-El when he was near. He wouldn't be caught off guard again.
"Nice cave."
Bruce turned around on full alert. Anger seethed through him as Kal-El casually looked around his cave. Bruce prided himself on detecting whenever someone was in his cave and if he couldn't, his alarms and sensors would but Kal-El got passed them. Back to the drawing board. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see this cave," Kal-El answered. "In person and not from the sky with my x-ray vision." Kal-El strolled to the batmobile. "So this is the famous batmobile." He ran his fingers along the hood of the sleek car.
Bruce said through clenched teeth. "Step away from my car."
Kal-El didn't. "I can do some improvements on your car. I can make it hover. My father created Krypton's first hover car."
"How nice," Bruce dripped with sarcasm. "Get out."
But Kal-El didn't leave. Didn't budge at Bruce's gravely Batman voice. "I upgraded Jonathon Kent's truck. It wouldn't be hard to upgrade yours."
"My car works fine. It doesn't need any improvements." Bruce pointed to an exit. "Get out."
Kal-El sighed. "I don't understand you, Bruce. You don't mind sharing my Kryptonian inventions with your company but you don't want me to improve your car to catch criminals? You don't trust me?"
"This isn't about trust. I don't like anyone touching my car." Bruce put down the batarang he was working on. "Why are you here?"
"Truthfully, I want to get to know you better."
Bruce glared at him. "Haven't you researched me enough to know?"
Kal-El expected Bruce to react this way. If he was in his shoes, he would be the same way. "Diana respects you. She considers you one of her dearest friends so there must be something appealing about you. I want to find out what it is."
Bruce blew him off. "No thanks."
"Listen," Kal-El tried again with more sincerity. "I really want us to be on better terms. You are a control freak but you are a decent person. I know you are watching me like a hawk whenever I am at Wayne Enterprises but I appreciate you putting your feelings toward me aside to help the world. The Kandorian Surgical blade helps doctors with its fine precision and lessens the loss of blood. It's even being used for people with low blood levels that normally wouldn't be operated on because it's not safe. Farmers no longer have to worry about their crops in droughts with the Dry Earth Crop Enhancer."
"I can put my differences aside when it benefits others but it doesn't mean I will trust you." Bruce got in Kal-El's face. "You want to be friends with me to be on better terms with Diana," Bruce accused Kal-El. "Sorry. You can't use me to get to Diana."
"If we become friends, I won't be using you," Kal-El said. "I'm willing to admit I came at you with a bad attitude but so did you with me. I don't like anyone attacking Diana. I won't stand by and tolerate it. I am extending the olive branch as Earthlings say but you have to admit being wrong coming down on Diana as you did."
Bruce didn't have a chance to respond as Alfred descended down the stairs. "Master Bruce-" he paused seeing Kal-El in the cave. "I didn't know you had company." Alfred knew about Kal-El finding out about Bruce's identity and the two working together to build Kryptonian inventions but he got the vibe from Bruce he didn't like Kal-El so it was odd finding him in the bat cave with Bruce.
"It's all right, Alfred. What is it?"
"Turn on the news, sir," Alfred looked concern so Bruce knew the news wasn't good. "There has been a break out at Arkham Asylum."
Bruce grabbed his remote on the table and turned on the television. On the Gotham News Network channel, the news broke of a breakout at Arkham Asylum. Bane, Killer Croc and the Mad Hatter combined forces to break into Arkham. On the television was live footage of the chaos going on in Arkham. Many of the doctors had the Mad Hatters' mind controlled cards on their head while the prisoners ran around rampant adding to the madness.
"Damn. I just put Joker, Ivy and Mr. Freeze back in there." Joker laughed into the camera as he shot acid into it, killing the video. Bruce turned to Alfred. "Have you contacted Nightwing?"
"He's on his way but you know he won't be enough." Alfred looked at Kal-El. "If you won't contact the Justice League, might I suggest you take the person standing beside you."
Bruce saw Kal-El smirking at him. "If you need me, I can help. I have good references. I've worked with Black Canary, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Flash and Wonder Woman."
Kal-El has worked with most of the Justice League members since his reveal to the world three months ago. Even the ones who didn't trust him were starting to warm up to him. Bruce avoided a chance to work with Kal-El… until now. Bruce sighed as he pulled his cowl over his head. "You can come but it doesn't change things. I still don't trust you."
"I guess that means I won't be riding shotgun in your car," Kal-El joked.
Bruce ignored Kal-El, jumped into the bat mobile and drove off. Kal-El flew out of the cave, following Bruce. Kal-El looked on the bright side of this situation. Bruce could've told him to stay away or ignore him as he has been doing the past three months but he accepted his help. It was a start.
Diana noticed a change in Kal-El since meeting her mother on Themyscira. He was different. He still carried himself in a proud manner but he was softer and more opened. Diana knew her mother said something to him but what was it to provoke Kal-El to change his behavior? Whenever Diana asked her mother, Hippolyta wouldn't say and ask her if it was fair to intrude on a private conversation. Diana decided not to pry anymore and accept this new Kal-El.
Aside from Justice League business and brief visits at Kal-El's home in the Arctic, Diana put some distance between them. Kal-El needed to befriend the other Justice League members on his own, without her influence. He needed to talk with the people of the world without her. As much as Diana didn't like the idea of being parted from Kal-El, she knew it was the right thing to do.
With her free time now that she was fired from DOMA, Diana also had to focus on herself. Though unemployed from DOMA, Diana was financially secure. Still, she felt she needed to do something to do. She didn't want to devote all her time at the Watchtower. There were more than enough heroes to work the required shifts so no one would be overworked.
Diana knew she didn't want a job like DOMA again. Seeing Kal-El share his science from his planet to the world, Diana was inspired to do the same. She wanted to do more to contribute to the world. Perhaps it was time she shared her culture to the world. With the world the way it was now, Diana thought it was time the people of Earth embrace other cultures and rid themselves of the fear and paranoia that stirred in them due to the attack of the White Martians.
Diana spotted Batman entering Training Room A. Just the man she was looking for. She heard from Nightwing of Kal-El being in Gotham and helping him and Batman deal with the criminals in Arkham Asylum. Bruce set the controls on the simulator and went to the center of the room, waiting for the simulation to start. Diana turned the controls off.
Bruce turned to Diana annoyed. "What are you doing?"
"I want to talk to you. I heard Kal-El was in Gotham and helped with a breakout at Arkham Asylum."
Bruce walked over to the simulator. He reached to turn it back on but Diana's firm hand covered his told him that wasn't going to be happening. "Nightwing told you this?"
Bruce pulled away from her. "He said Kal-El saved your life. Scarecrow hit you with a potent fear gas. You were too distracted by the illusion your mind created you almost fell of Arkham's roof."
Nightwing was going to pay for running his mouth. Bruce wasn't sure how or when but Dick was going to pay for that. "What if he did?"
"I wonder if you changed your mind about Kal-El."
Bruce narrowed his eyes at Diana. "Why does it matter to you?"
"Just curious," Diana said it so innocently but it was anything but innocent. "After all, you signed up to be on the roster with Kal-El for next week."
Bruce blew off the insinuation. "A coincidence."
Diana didn't buy it. She knew Bruce too well. "I think you're starting to trust Kal-El."
"Maybe," Bruce admitted, "but you trust him too quickly. You didn't trust me this fast. I think we knew each other for six months before you trusted me."
Diana smiled; her mood becoming playful. "You're not jealous are you?" She saw the scowl forming on Bruce's face and decided to tease him. "Do you want me and see Kal-El as an obstacle?"
Bruce stared at Diana for a long moment. He removed his cowl so Diana could see the honesty in his eyes. "Diana, you are a beautiful woman. I would be lying if I didn't say you're the most beautiful woman I've laid eyes on and I wasn't attracted to you, but the truth of the matter is, I care more about my jewels than bedding you."
The smile on Diana's face quickly replaced itself with shock. Her eyes widen and her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Excuse me?"
Seeing the stunned look on Diana's face encouraged Bruce to continue. "You can crush a car with your bare hands. Imagine what the rest of you will do to me, a mere mortal." He smiled and when Bruce smiled, that was a bad sign for the person he was smiling it. "It makes me wonder about you and Steve."
"Not that it matters to you but Steve and I broke up almost three months ago."
"Did you?" Bruce was intrigued. He was also surprised he didn't pick up on it sooner. Of course, Diana hardly said anything about her relationship with Steve Trevor and was as good at keeping secrets as he. "Did Kal-El have anything to do with it?"
"A little," Diana said truthfully, "but Steve and I were having problems before he arrived. Kal-El's arrival just sped things up."
Diana was surprised with Bruce's response. "Good. Steve wasn't a match for you anyway. I never thought I would be saying this to you, Diana, but you could do better. I don't know if Kal-El's a match for you but I know Steve wasn't."
Bruce reset the controls again. "Are you done questioning me? Can I get back to my training now?"
Diana left Bruce to his training. She wondered around the Watchtower longer than she should have. Kal-El was with Hal on a space adventure. They were gone for a week and due back today. It wasn't as if Diana didn't trust Hal but she knew him and his ways. With Hal, two things were guaranteed: a great time and plenty of women to go along for the ride. Kal-El was free and single and could spend time with women if he wanted to. Diana didn't have a claim on him and she had to admit it was selfish of her to make Kal-El wait for her when he made his intent clear but she wanted to be sure about him. She didn't want to make the same mistakes with him as she did with Steve.
Diana decided to wait one more hour for Kal-El and it paid off. Five minutes before she gave up, she saw Hal and Kal-El return to the Watchtower in a green jet designed by Hal. Kal-El stepped out of Hal's jet first. He looked annoyed but lit up when he saw Diana.
"Had a good time?" Diana asked.
"For the most part. There are so many worlds and different cultures out there." The annoyance on his face returned. "The only time I didn't enjoy myself occurred when Hal took me to Almerac."
"They have very beautiful woman there," Hal argued joining the two. "I thought Kal-El would enjoy it. How was I to know the queen wanted to make him her husband?
"Husband?" Diana sharply picked up.
"It's a long story, Diana." It was clear Kal-El didn't want to get into it. "And it's all Hal's fault."
"I wasn't the one showing off my powers," Hal defended himself.
"I'm not ashamed showing what I can do. You knew Maxima was a man hungry woman looking for a husband."
"All right, I did," Hal conceded. "But you have to admit Maxima's beautiful and very strong. She has the stamina and strength to keep up with you. If there's anyone physically compatible to you and available, it's her."
The image of him and Maxima together didn't set well with Kal-El. "No thanks."
"I'm just trying to help you out," Hal said. "You've been on Earth for almost nine months and you haven't gotten any. You won't say how long it has been for you since you were on Krypton."
"That's enough, Hal." Diana didn't hide her annoyance. "You shouldn't push, Kal-El."
Kal-El added, "While Kryptonians have desires like anyone else, we have a better control of it than other races."
Hal put his hands up. "Okay. Okay. I get it. The women did nothing for you."
Kal-El walked off with Diana and once they were gone, Hal finally released the laughter he was holding in. The look on Diana's face almost forced Hal to lose it earlier than he wanted. She was not happy he was trying to get Kal-El with other women. Hopefully, this would push her to say something and maybe he would win the bet with Wally. The first one was a bust since it's been three months and Kal-El and Diana weren't together yet. So they made a new one and if Hal didn't get Kal-El and Diana together in a week, he would lose the bet.
"I didn't know you were on schedule today," Kal-El said to Diana as they entered an elevator.
"I'm not. I was here to see Bruce and I was hoping to see you." Diana found herself smiling shyly at him. "You've been busy."
"I'm never too busy for you but I haven't seen much of you." They got off on the next floor and walked to Conference Room B where they often have their talks on the Watchtower. "I've missed spending time with you."
"I've missed spending time with you," Diana confessed, "but I thought it was best. I wanted you to spend more time with Justice League members not just me."
Kal-El followed her train of thought as they stepped into the conference room and sat next to her at the round table. "You wanted me to get to know them. I get it and I did but it was your company I preferred."
Diana's heart quickened. She hoped Kal-El didn't hear it but his smile told her he did. "Um," she was having trouble focusing. Now that was allowing herself to welcome the emotions that stirred in her when she was with Kal-El, she found herself in less control. She found herself wanting to kiss him, wanting to touch him, wanting to say things she normally wouldn't say. It was exciting and scary. "So, you and Bruce are still getting along."
"He's still alive," Kal-El said. "So, that's good."
Diana's lips twitched at his humor. "It must be going good. There has been positive feedback on the surgical blade and the dry crop enhancer. There's plenty of positive buzz on the garbage vaporizer and it's not even released yet. It will be very profitable for…." Diana paused unsure how to follow that up. "How are the profits being handled?"
"Aside from the pay to Bruce's scientists, I will be getting the rest of the profits. It's what Bruce and I agreed on. Fairly easy, too." Kal-El was surprised himself that negotiations over the profits went so well. "I thought he would want to take some of the profits and add to his massive fortune but he told me he didn't want any of my money and asks that the people building my products get paid. I'm fine with that. With the money I'm accumulating, I predict it will be another six months before I part ways with Wayne Enterprises and form my own company."
"Oh?" That was news to Diana. "I thought you would stay with Wayne Enterprises."
"Why? I'm very independent. I wanted to do this on my own but knowing how the world felt about aliens, I knew I would need to ally with a human to earn their trust. I never thought it would be Bruce I'd work with but we are getting along well business wise. Bruce knows this and is perfectly fine with it. He won't like it so much when some of his scientists follow me to my company."
"You're certain that will happen? Bruce's workers are very loyal."
"Loyalty doesn't have anything to do with it," Kal-El told Diana. "It's the challenge that will sway them. The challenge of my Kryptonian science to Wayne Enterprise science. I think Dr. Benten will come on board as well as Dr. Griff."
"Even Bruce and Ollie have competition with each other from time to time so it will be interesting to see who wins this." However, Diana knew Bruce wouldn't be pleased if any of his workers left his company to join Kal-El's.
"How have you been keeping busy?" Kal-El took the attention off himself. "Your roster hasn't changed much since you were fired from DOMA."
"I went home for a while and thought what I should do next. I want to keep my Diana Prince identity for when I want my privacy but I don't want to live as I did before." Diana shook her head to emphasize her point. "No more double identities for me. My mission by the Gods was to prevent the threat that would be unleashed on this world from coming to Themyscira and I did by fighting the White Martians. I stayed at DOMA to be near Steve and now I don't have either anymore I feel I've been given a chance to do something different. I can do what I want in this world."
"And have you decided on something?"
"I haven't worked everything out but I'm thinking of sharing the Amazon way to the world just as you are sharing your Kryptonian technology to the world." Just thinking about it excited her but the new adventure made her apprehensive as everything wasn't planned out yet. "I haven't decided how to go about it and I have to get my mother and my sisters on board but I think it would be a good way for the people of this world to open their minds and hearts to other cultures like aliens."
Kal-El was truly proud of Diana. He wanted to kiss her but resisted the urge. It was hard resisting himself to kiss Diana but he honored his promise to Diana's mother and patiently waited for Diana to come to him. "Whatever you decide to do, I know you will do great."
"Thanks for the encouragement and while we are on the subject of life changes, I want to talk to you." Diana reached forward and took Kal-El's hands in hers. He was a scientist. He should easily figure out what she was trying to say. "Since you decided to join the Justice League and share your science with this world and since I've ended things with Steve, I thought a lot about us. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting but I wanted some time to myself. I didn't want to make the same mistakes as I did with Steve."
Kal-El squeezed her hand. "You don't have to explain yourself. I understand why you did what you did."
Diana stared at him in admired wonder. "You've changed as well. I feel I can trust you more than any man I've ever met. I know you have been patient waiting for me to come to a decision on what I want." Her heart was racing, her palms were sweaty. This was harder than when she confessed to Steve she had feelings for him. "I have feelings for you, Kal-El. I find myself caring for you more than I've ever cared for anyone and I'd like to see how the feelings we have for each other go. Whether it will run its course or it will be forever, I'd like to see."
"This doesn't have anything to do with Maxima, does it?" Kal-El asked. "I don't want you to be with me because you feel intimidated by Maxima because you shouldn't be."
"No," Diana set him straight. "I made this decision a week ago. I want to be with you because I care about you a lot and I am deeply attracted to you. I know other women have turned their eyes on you. I'm not blind or deaf, Kal-El, and instead of welcoming their advances you waited for me. In truth, your patience has made me want you more."
Kal-El pushed the table aside, nearly slamming it in into the wall across the room and pulled Diana's chair to his. "That's good then. Because I want to kiss you now."
Diana's eyes moved from Kal-El's eyes to his lips. "What's stopping you?"
Kal-El took Diana's invitation and moved to kiss her but stopped before he could do so. "I want to kiss you but I won't."
Diana stared at Kal-El dumbfounded as he abruptly pulled back. "Wha-why?"
"I've always been the one to kiss you. You told me how you feel about me. I'm glad you did but it would be nice if you initiate kissing me for once."
Diana smiled wryly at Kal-El. "You want me to kiss you?"
"Why not?" Kal-El challenged her. "I see something I want and I go after it. Why can't you?"
Why not indeed? Diana jumped to her feet and pulled Kal-El with her. Wrapping her arms around Kal-El's neck with her body subtly pressing against his, she kissed him. Her kiss was all Kal-El needed to react. He matched Diana's passion with his own. Her mouth explored his as Kal-El's hands traveled through the sea of Diana's hair and her back, subtly moving lower. Diana's hands caressed the sinewy muscles of Kal-El's chest through his uniform. If only the uniform wasn't in the way, she thought and wondered what was coming over her to think that way.
Kal-El pulled from Diana's lips and proceeded to kiss her neck when Diana murmured a breathy, "Kal."
"I like that," Kal-El crooned.
"Hmm," Diana said dazedly as she enjoyed Kal-El's lips on her neck.
"Kal. I like that. You should say it more often." Kal-El stopped kissing her neck and settled back in his chair with Diana on his lap. He twirled a loose strand of Diana's hair with his finger. "So, it's official. We're together."
"We are," Diana kissed him again. "But I want to keep our relationship a secret."
Kal-El frowned. "Why?"
"I want to enjoy this moment between us before the others know."
"Diana, the Justice League already suspects something about us." He wondered how Diana would react if she knew about Hal and Wally's bet. "Might as well confirm it for them and get it over with. If you think they will respect you any less because of your relationship with me, you are wrong."
Diana found herself feeling foolish for thinking it. Yes, there were some Justice League members who criticized her but over the weeks, they were having a change of heart as they got to know Kal-El. One of those people included Bruce.
"I'd rather handle things privately, Kal." She found herself smiling as she said that name. It was so easy to do and Diana wondered why she hadn't called him that before. "I don't think there's a need to call a Justice League meeting to tell them we are exploring our relationship."
"We don't have to do that but if I want to hold your hand or kiss you, then I will wherever we are."
Diana stiffened slightly. "Wherever we are? Kal, it's one thing to let the Justice League know but it's another to let the world know."
"I won't keep what we have private," Kal-El gently argued. "Hiding something indicates being ashamed. I am not ashamed to be with you."
"This has nothing to do with shame but safety. Our enemies would use us to get to each other."
That didn't deter Kal-El's thinking. "I'm invulnerable so they can't capture me."
"You're not invulnerable," Diana cautioned Kal-El. "You're vulnerable to magic."
That was news to Kal-El because he didn't believe it. "Since when?"
"You can't break free of my lasso and it's made by the magic of the Gods. Also, you can't see through lead."
That was true but Kal-El didn't think that indicated he was invulnerable. "Our enemies won't know about that."
"Maybe they can't find out about you not seeing through lead but they are bound to find out about your vulnerability to magic when you fight someone with magical capabilities."
Kal-El wasn't bothered by that. "So, what if they do? It may weaken me but it won't defeat me, and if they capture you to get to me, they will pay for it." He wasn't going to allow the Injustice League or any other enemy they will come across to force him to hide his feelings for Diana.
Diana tried to compromise with Kal-El. "We can always find a disguise for you when we are among other people."
Kal-El didn't like that idea either. "Sorry, Diana, but I'm not one to hide behind disguises."
"Even without enemies, we will have to deal with paparazzi or people with camera phones. Stories will be fabricated about us. We may be accused of being unfaithful if we are working with another Justice League member or another human. Then there are stories that could jeopardize our credibility."
Again, Kal-El wasn't perturbed with Diana's concerns. "I know the truth and one visit from me will assure them to not make up lies about us without the facts."
He wasn't budging and it forced Diana to realize facts about herself. "I suppose I am used to hiding and keeping secrets."
"Well, it's time to change that."
Maybe it was. "You won't be bothered if we are walking in a park and someone takes a picture of us kissing?"
"We are expressing our feelings for each other. Humans do that every day. Celebrities' pictures are taken all the time. We're celebrities of a higher form."
Diana hadn't thought of it like that but now she was. "I just prefer certain things to be private."
Kal-El reassured Diana's worries. "You won't have paparazzi camping out of your home because you will maintain your Diana Prince ID. No one can find me in the Arctic and even if they did, I'm sure the paparazzi have their limits and won't venture in the Arctic just to take a picture of us."
"What if you want a home closer to people?" Diana asked.
Kal-El had a solution to that, too. "Funny, you should ask that. I have been thinking about building a home somewhere in the world. Maybe America. Maybe Australia. Who knows where but wherever it will be, it will have the highest security. I can create a hologram outside the home even if the paparazzi find me. We can be outside in our yard kissing while the paparazzi see a hologram of a pet running across the yard."
Diana smiled at the image. It would serve them right. She also noticed he said, 'our' yard. It was a little forward of him thinking they will be living together but she was also touched he wanted her in his future. "Obviously, you have given this a lot of thought and I can't do anything to change your mind. So," she sighed as cuddled against him, "I guess I have to accept it."
Life certainly was going to be different now she and Kal-El were finally exploring their feelings for each other and Diana didn't regret it one bit.
At Sam Lane's underground base a few miles outside Washington, D.C., Steve Trevor watched with annoyance various videos of Kal-El playing hero. He was annoyed with the videos but there was a reason for his viewing. He was hoping somewhere in the hours of footage, he would see some kind of vulnerability. Everyone had a weakness. Even Diana. So Kal-El or Superman as he went by had to be vulnerable to something.
With each heroic feat, Kal-El's popularity rose. There was a news story on Kal-El almost every night. If he wasn't saving someone or fighting the Injustice League, the news talked of his joint venture with Wayne Enterprises. A top surgeon tested a Kandorian Cellular Surgical Blade in surgery and praised it being the finest blade he ever used and that many lives that will be saved with it. Farmers praised the dry crop enhancer and predict a plentiful supply of food next season. Great. More good PR. What bothered Steve the most was a kiss shared between Diana and Kal-El that set the gossip magazines and annoying entertainment shows on fire. That made Steve's blood boil. That alien swoops in and wins the hearts of so many and takes Diana from him.
"Look at those fools," Sam Lane sneered at the image he saw on the television. "They are so easily taken in by that alien. Have they forgotten how we almost lost our world to aliens a year ago?"
"People easily forget things," Steve muttered.
Sam Lane turned his head to Steve. "At least you haven't forgotten. I was worried you did but you came to your senses. You fired that traitor Diana Prince and you, like me, see this alien as a threat. I hope you cut contact with Wonder Woman as well. She has revealed her true colors by sucking face with that alien. Who knows what other things she is doing with him?" He laughed cruelly at his own innuendo. "He's probably doing things to her no other man has."
Oddly, Sam Lane's innuendo had no affect on Steve. After his breakup with Diana, Steve completely aligned himself with Sam Lane. He met with Sam Lane at his office at DOMA and Sam Lane's underground military base. He studied every footage that was captured of Kal-El, listened to whatever conversations the Kents had with Kal-El. If he wasn't concerned about the consequences he would pay, he would've had Diana's apartment in Washington, D.C. bugged as well because he knew Kal-El was spending time there.
"Kal-El has revealed himself to the world, gallivanting as Superman for three months now," Steve said. "If something isn't done soon, the entire world will have complete trust in him."
"I think I found that something," Sam Lane smirked. "After the scientists working for me couldn't find anything with that green rock from that alien's planet, I turned the rock over to someone who I knew could find me what I need. He's coming here tonight." A firm knocked rapped on the door. "In fact, there he is now."
"He?" Steve inquired. "Who could find something when a group of scientists couldn't?"
Steve didn't have to wait for long for his answer. As soon as Sam Lane opened the door, he saw Lex Luthor standing in the doorway.
"Lex Luthor." Even though Lex Luthor was a rich businessman residing in Metropolis, his reputation preceded him. Though it was rumored, Steve knew for a fact Lex Luthor was responsible for many evil metahumans battling the Justice League and dealt with many shady characters of the Injustice League including that of the psycho Joker. Diana told him of the things Lex Luthor was behind but since there wasn't proof to tie him to it, he couldn't be taken into custody. "You went to him? Do you know who he is?"
Sam Lane knew exactly who Lex Luthor was. "A man who can get the job done. A man who found what my scientist couldn't-a weakness in the alien."
"A weakness?" Steve inquired. "How? Kal-El is unstoppable. Bullets, missiles, fire, electricity… nothing can stop him. Even the strongest members of the Injustice League aren't a match for him."
"Come now, Major Trevor," Lex Luthor said smoothly, "have some faith in me."
"Faith?" Steve Trevor clenched his fists. "All I want is to put you behind bars."
"I am merely a businessman. I haven't done anything illegal," he lied. Luthor knew Sam Lane would look the other way from any crimes he's committed. He couldn't say the same for Steve Trevor. There was still a moral fiber in him. "You shouldn't believe any lies Wonder Woman told you about me," Lex told him. "Can you really trust her since she is in a relationship with this alien? Probably has been before the world knew about him. I don't like this alien, Superman, either but I have to admire him for getting himself between her legs because you know he is." He smirked. "I doubt that's something any human could do."
"Shut up!" Steve snarled at him.
Luthor smirked. He had his suspicions something was going on between Steve Trevor and Wonder Woman when she first arrived in the world three years ago. Steve Trevor was the only person who came in contact with her. But it seemed she dumped him for someone better. Luthor wondered how he could use that in the future. "We should put our differences aside. We have something in common. Our hate for aliens and I have a way to eliminate him."
"Tell us," Sam Lane demanded. "I've waited too long to find something in that alien's armor."
Luthor answered when he pulled a green rock from the pocket of his expensive suit. "Gentlemen, I present to you Kryptonite."
Steve pointed at the rock. "That is the meteorite from Kal-El's home planet Krypton. How is that going to hurt him?"
Luthor explained. "I put this rock under every known test possible and I discovered there's a high level of radiation coming from this rock. It could've been caused when Krypton exploded. It doesn't have any affect on us humans but I have a strong feeling it will affect the alien."
"Why?" Sam Lane asked.
"This alien or Superman as he calls himself didn't have his amazing abilities on his planet or he wouldn't have been the only person to make it off Krypton alive. He got it when he landed on Earth. So it's possible no matter what powers he has here, he will always be vulnerable to anything coming from his home world. The radiation from this rock will be lethal to him."
"You better be certain," Sam Lane threatened Luthor. "We only have one shot at capturing this alien."
Lex Luthor knew he was right. He always was. "If I'm wrong, I'll turn myself in to the police."
"Wait," Steve interrupted. "Even if this rock will do what Lex Luthor predicts, how do you plan on capturing Kal-El?"
Sam Lane only smiled at the confused Steve Trevor. "Live bait."