Paradise Lost Pt 8

by Arcadia

Chapter Eight

Diana watched Superman under the solar lights nervously. They were at full power but it still worked slowly on his body. When she got him to the Fortress, he was a death's door with his heart beating at four pulses a minute. Batman was with her now, reading the monitors observing Superman's heart and brainwave activities. There were slight improvements in the last forty-eight hours, but not much. His heart beat at twenty pulses. His skin color was a light green. The wounds on his chest and legs had not closed yet; he ran occasional fevers and he had not awakened. Diana sat at Clark's bedside holding his hand, a worried expression on her face. "I thought there would've been a better improvement by now." "He took a nuclear warhead lace with kryptonite head on, Diana," Bruce informed her. "It's gonna take some time before he heals." "Waiting is the hardest part." Diana noticed sweat suddenly popping on Clark's forehead as he groaned painfully. "He's burning up again." Diana pulled a towel out of a cold bowl of water nearby and placed it on Clark's forehead. "Shh! It's okay, Kal. I'm here. Just take it easy now." Bruce observed how Clark calmed down under Diana's voice. "Keep talking to him, Diana. It helps." After a brief moment, he said, "Kara called. The Kent's want to see their son." "I don't want them to see their son this way. Maybe in another forty- eight hours." "They don't care about his condition. They know he is in pain, Diana" "When Darkseid first came to Earth, Kal was so beaten when his parents saw him, they were horrified. He's so invulnerable no one thinks that he could be bloodied, battered and severely wounded. Kal never wanted that look on his parents' faces again and he made me promise I wouldn't either." Diana took the towel and placed it back in the bowl. "They *will* see Kal, Bruce but not until he's a little better, at least until his wounds heals. The medicines from my home are working on him." Diana looked Bruce over. Bruce had been at the Fortress since Diana called him forty-eight hours ago. "Thanks for staying, Bruce but why don't you get some rest, go back to Gotham. I'll continue to watch him." Batman nodded. "Contact me if there is a change in his condition." "I will," Diana promised. Bruce started for the door but suddenly stopped. "Are you leaving Clark?" "What?" Bruce faced her. "I heard you talking to him. You were apologizing for breaking up with him because of Triana." Part of Diana was angry Bruce listened in on her private conversation with Clark but she was so emotionally drained, she let it go. "I have to leave, Bruce." "Because of your vow to return to Themyscira?" Bruce asked. "Can't you see that Clark needs you?" "I'm not leaving him now, Bruce." "But you *are* leaving him. How long?" Bruce asked. "As soon as he's well?" Diana shrugged. "I…I don't know. Now that you're here, you know what to do if this happens to Kal again." Bruce frowned. He was hoping for a better answer from Diana. "You've been by his side nonstop. I saw his heart and brainwaves jumped up whenever you talked to him. The solar lights are helping, but it is *you* who is bringing him back." Diana turned away. She wasn't going to cry and she wasn't going to do so in front of Batman. "Bruce, don't make this harder on me than it is. I *have* to return home." "You don't. When Kara called, she also mentioned Triana coming to the league two days ago. She was so guilty about what she did, she told them everything about the Aremid. The league has everyone part of the organization in custody." Diana was shocked by that news. "She did?" She had no idea what happened to Triana after she went after Superman. "Where is she now?" "After the league told her everyone has been captured, she went back to Themyscira. She said she will faced punishment for her sins and work her way back to earn the trust of her people, her princess and her queen. So, you don`t have to return, Diana." Diana shook her head. "I still must return, Bruce. There are things in Triana's past…I just feel some responsibility for and I gave my word to my mother who is also queen. You know how important family is. Wouldn't you give up being Batman if to bring your parents back?" Bruce didn't answer the question. "So, you're just going to dump Clark to keep a promise--an inconsequential promise to your mother on the result of one of your sisters going rogue?" "Family is important." "Clark offered you to become part of his when yours turn their backs on you." Diana felt her eyes misting. Bruce was so cold and she knew he could be but she thought as a friend, he would how difficult this was for her. "You don't understand." "I understand you're breaking the heart of someone who loves you. You're leaving him to return to a race of people who won't adapt and judge everyone as the same group who hurt your kind centuries ago. You're returning to a race of people who's opinions differs from your own or are you as cold and heartless as your *family*?" The last remark stung her but she refused to let Bruce see how much. "I have to go, Bruce." "If you leave, then don't bother returning." Batman turned away and left the room. Diana turned her attention back to Clark. Diana climbed in bed with him and draped an arm over his chest and laid her head against his left shoulder. "Kal, I'm so sorry. No matter what happens, I hope you will forgive me." **** Four days have passed since Diana left Themyscira with Superman in her arms. After failing to contact her daughter with the Embassy, Hippolyta made contact with the Justice League. Batman picked her up at the Embassy and flew her to the Fortress. Hippolyta followed Batman as he led her to Clark's room. Diana was by Clark's bedside talking to him and the two other people in the room. They were an older couple. Hippolyta guessed they were Superman's Earth parents. Diana looked up when she saw Batman in the room. She thought it was strange he had returned so soon after dropping off the Kents but then she noticed his guest. "Mother?" She rose to greet her. "What are you doing here?" "I came to visit." Hippolyta looked at the sleeping Superman. "His color has returned." "Yes, it came back this morning. His wounds have closed as well. Mother," Diana gestured to Jonathon and Martha Kent. "These are Kal's parents. They just arrived a few hours ago." Hippolyta gave a slight nod. "Hello." The Kents knowing they were meeting royalty gave a bow much to Hippolyta's surprise. "It's nice to finally meet you, Your Highness," Martha said. "I wish it was under better circumstances." "Thank you for coming to our world to see our son," Jonathon added. "It means a lot." They seem so simple but Hippolyta detected genuine kindness from them. She was surprise when Diana told her Superman's Earth parents were farmers in a small town. She was learning to give the people of Earth more credit. "Your son did a very noble thing. The Amazons will never forget it." A groan from Clark's bed alerted them. Diana went to Clark's side and held his hand. "Kal?" She caressed his hand gently and to her astonishment, he squeezed her hand. Diana and everyone else looked on anxiously. Clark's eyes opened slowly. The first person he saw was Diana looking down on him, smiling. "You're awake." "Diana? What happened?" "Shh!" Diana silenced him. "Take it easy. That was a lot of poisoning you exposed yourself, too." It suddenly came back to Clark what happened to him. Given what happened the morning he last saw Diana, he was surprised she was with him. Clark looked around the room to see who else was greeting him. He saw Batman quiet as ever but he knew his good friend was relieved. His parents' eyes were brimming with tears and lastly he saw Queen Hippolyta. "Your Highness?" Hippolyta smiled kindly at him. "Hello, Superman. It's good to see you well again." "He's not out of the woods, yet," Diana said, "but it is promising." Over the next half hour, Hippolyta quietly observed everyone in the room. Batman was cool and informative of the events in the world while Superman was out. His parents, particularly Martha Kent fussed over him like a worried mother. His father tried to keep things light by telling jokes. But what really surprised Hippolyta was Diana's behavior around Superman. Diana was as relaxed with him as she was with her sisters. Laughing and talking freely with him. She held his hand, kissed his forehead. She never saw her daughter so happy. After Batman left, Diana and Hippolyta followed, leaving Clark alone with his parents. Hippolyta saw the anxiousness on Clark's face when he asked Diana if she was returning. Diana responded with a smile and a soft kiss on his lips. When they left the room, Hippolyta said, "Daughter, may I have a word with you?" "Yes. This way." Hippolyta followed Diana to her room. Hippolyta looked around the large room, noticing Greek artifacts on shelves, some of Diana's weapons as well as a bed and a shrine to the Gods. "This is your room?" At Diana`s nod, Hippolyta said, "You live with Superman? Share a room with him? A bed?" Diana closed the bedroom door. "No mother. Kal has his own room as well. My apartment is, er, was small and there were things I didn't want to leave at the Embassy. Kal built this room for me some while ago so I could put my extra things and have a room to myself wherever I stayed for a night." She saw the appalled look on her mother's face. "It isn't like that, Mother. We sleep in separate quarters." "Well, I've no choice but to believe that," Hippolyta said more to herself than her daughter. "Yes, well, after Kal is well, I will leave for Themyscira as I promised," Diana said. "Do you approve?" "That is why I came to see you." Hippolyta sat on Diana's bed. "Have a seat, daughter." Diana did as she was told. "Is this about Triana?" Diana asked. "How did you know?" "Batman told me what she did. How is she?" "She feels very guilty. She's seeking guidance from the Gods, Penelope and several of our priestess. Triana knows she's made a terrible mistake but is making steps to eradicate it." "That's good," Diana said. "She has many problems to overcome." "More than you know, daughter. It's one of the reasons why I came to see you. I need to tell you about Triana's past. Before I and your Sisters arrived on the island, we lived in Man's World as you know. Melania heard about the Amazons and wanted to join us. She had a child with her, Triana. Triana was a mere babe at the time. Melania had lost her husband in a war and didn't have any other family. At first I didn't want to accept her. I wasn't sure if she would have the discipline to become an Amazon but I decided to give her a chance. Melania proved me wrong with her skills as a warrior and the kind heart she had. She had such a strong faith in the Gods. We became very good friends." Diana stared at her mother. She looked so sad now. Diana suspected what her mother was going to tell her next. The horrible time in her people's history. Hippolyta sighed, "You know of our sisters who were beaten, raped, and murdered by Heracles and his men. Triana witnessed it all including her mother's murder. She was only twelve. "When we arrived on Themyscira, I took Triana under my wing. I felt I owed it to her mother since I failed her. Seeing Triana grow into a beautiful strong woman, increased my yearning for a child and when Menalippe told me about you inside me, I created you and the Gods blessed me by giving you life. When you were born, Triana was the first person I introduced you to before the other Sisters saw you. Triana wasn't happy as I thought she would be. She was angry, jealous, as if I betrayed her somehow. I had hoped it would pass, but when your talents proven high above others, Triana's jealousy grew. I talked to her privately about it and it was then I learned how deep Triana's jealousy had gone. "Since her mother's death, she assumed I became her mother and thought she was princess of the island. She felt you stole her title when you were born. That was never the case. I warned Triana her jealousy could ruin her and the Amazons. Triana tone down her jealously so no one else could see it but I saw it. When the trials came to send an Amazon to Man's World, I knew Triana would use it as a way to prove she was the best Amazon. When you revealed yourself, I knew Triana was furious. Her fury increased as you became famous as Wonder Woman. She never changed, Diana. She was always jealous of you." "I know." Hippolyta looked at her daughter. "You do?" "Yes. In my fight, I put the lasso on her. I saw Triana's past, her pain." She looked at her mother. "You never would`ve told me about any of this if Triana hadn't went rogue, would you?" Diana was angry. "As Princess, I should've known." Hippolyta explained, "I didn't want you to blame yourself." "I do feel some guilt, Mother," Diana admitted. "You shouldn't. This is exactly, what I wanted to avoid, Diana. If you had not existed and I chose a successor over her, Triana would've been jealous. She wanted to be princess. She thought it was hers but it was not. It never was." Hippolyta tilted Diana's face so daughter would look at mother. "You were always meant to be Princess of Themyscira. You were always meant to be Wonder Woman. If you had not existed, Diana, I would've missed out the joy of having you as a daughter. The world would've missed out on Wonder Woman and Superman would've missed out on you in his life." Sadden at the mention of Superman's name, Diana looked away from her mother. "I'm not in his life now. It's over between us. I'm only staying with him until he is well again." "No, it's not over. Daughter, I relinquish your banishment." Diana whirled to face her mother stunned. "Why?" Hippolyta smiled at her daughter. "Because you are needed in Patriarch's World. You're working to make it a more peaceful place and as much as I hate to admit it, you *want* to be there. I was wrong to force you to choose between Themyscira ….and Kal-El." Diana was amazed her mother used Superman's Kryptonian name. She always addressed him as Superman. She felt it would be too personal otherwise. "Mother?" "I know how deeply you want to be with him, and I know how deeply he loves you. To sacrifice himself for us, for Themyscira, just so you wouldn't be alone proves to me he's not Heracles. He will never break your heart. I was wrong to keep you from such a powerful love." "Oh, mother," Diana cried and hugged her mother. "Thank you." "You're welcome, my daughter." Hippolyta warned, "However, if by some chance he breaks your heart, I will pierce his heart with Hephaestus sword and feed his carcass to the pits of Tartarus." What a mother-in-law Kal was getting Diana thought humorously. Speaking of which, "Mother, since I'm allowed to stay in Patriarch's World, there's something you should know. After I was banished, Kal asked me to marry him and I accepted his proposal." Hippolyta appeared tense. "When I told him it was over between us, Kal didn't want to accept it and we never got the matter settled." Diana sighed. "I don't know what will happen between us." "What are your feelings of Kal-El now?" Diana looked at her mother honestly. "I *want* to marry him. I *want* to be his wife." "I see," Hippolyta said. "Mother, I know you do not approve. I expect you to be angry, but I love him. I just want you to honor my decision and believe in what I am doing." "The truth is Diana. I approve of your decision to marry Kal-El of Krypton." Diana was befuddled. "You do?" "Yes." Hippolyta laughed at the look on her daughter's face. "He truly loves you, Diana, and I wouldn't be a good mother if I didn't want my daughter happy." Diana hugged her mother once more. "Thank you, Mother." **** "I really don't think I should go," Diana argued. "And I think you should," Clark shot back. "You've been missing from the world in two weeks." "The Embassy knows I've taken a leave. Angela told the press I went home and this is a home to me." "It is, but I think it's time you get back out there. The world needs you, Diana." Diana crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you trying to get rid of me?" Thank goodness Amazons weren't telepathic Clark thought. "I think you need to get out there, fight some crime, check in with the Embassy, something. You don't need to watch me all the time. I can take care of myself." Diana uncrossed her arms, giving the matter some thought. "I guess I could go to the Embassy for a few hours." "Good." "But first," Diana went to the door. "Krypto, would you come in please?" Clark rolled his eyes and slumped his shoulders. Diana wouldn't he thought. She wouldn't do what he was thinking. Krypto entered less than a minute later. Diana knelt to Krypto's level and scratched behind his ears. The dog rolled on his back and Diana rubbed his belly. Clark shook his head at his dog. He was such a nuisance in the beginning. He tore through things and hated everyone but with Diana, Krypto melted with almost immediately. "You are such a good boy, Krypto," Diana cooed. "I need a favor from you. I'm going out for a few hours so I need you to watch Kal for me. Make sure he doesn't leave this bed. Can you do that?" Krypto barked and licked Diana's face. "Thank you so much." Diana gave Krypto a kiss on his head. Clark threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "You don't trust me to stay in bed?" Diana rose to her feet and Krypto jumped on the bed. "No. I know you too well. I'll tell Kelex I'm leaving, too." Diana leaned forward and gave Clark a kiss. "I'll see you in a few hours." As soon as Diana left, Clark used his x-ray vision, watching Diana fly away until she was at least fifty miles away. Clark tossed off the covers and got out of bed. He took one step towards the door before Krypto got in front and growled at him. "Krypto, step away." Krypto only growled. "You're going to listen to Diana over me, *your master*?" Krypto bared his teeth at him. "Krypto, move!" Clark yelled and by the tone of his voice, he let Krypto know he was serious. "Or I'll lock you up!" After an intense stare between master and pet, Krypto whimpered and stepped aside. "Sorry, boy," Clark said as he stepped passed Krypto, "but it's for your own good." The door of Clark's bedroom slid opened. Clark looked to his left then his right. He grinned like a mischievous child and cautiously stepped out of the room. For two weeks, Clark had been confined to bed and he felt like he was going to go out of his mind if he didn't get out. His parents stayed at the Fortress three more days before going back to Smallville, Kara visited for a view hours over the two weeks but she spent most of her time with the league since with him out, she had to fill in a lot of his schedule shifts. The rest of the league sent well wishes through Batman whenever he stopped by. Diana had been with him since day one and although he loved it, he also found it a bit confining. He couldn't do anything with her around. Diana would always insist he stay in bed to rest and there was no getting around someone as strong and formidable as Diana, but thankfully, she finally left even if it was only for a few hours. This left Clark on his own and gave him the perfect opportunity for him to break loose from his prison. Clark headed towards the kitchen. For the past two weeks, Clark was given light meals. Since he took a large amount of radiation J'onn thought it was best if Clark kept his meals light and increased the food content when more of his strength came back. Salads, soups, fruits and Jello were nice but Clark was ready for some serious food like a burger or a good steak. But as he got closer to the kitchen he saw the hallway that lead out of the Fortress. To be outside again, soaring in the air under the sun, won out over his stomach. When Clark stepped outside, he inhaled the fresh crisp air. It felt so good to be out. He jumped in the air and smoothly glided in the air like a bird. He wasn't a full strength but he was stronger than Diana thought. She and J'onn were too overprotective. Clark grimaced and grabbed his head as a dizzy spell washed over him. He descended fast and crashed in the icy waters. Clark swam to the surface and nearly collapsed when he got himself on a floating block of ice. Damn kryptonite poisoning. It wasn't all out of his system yet. Once the weak feeling passed, Clark got back on his feet and slowly made his way back to the Fortress. When he entered his room, he found Krypto in a corner looking guilty. "Oh, don't look so worried. Diana won't be mad at you." He climbed into bed. "She won't find out." Krypto jumped on the bed and laid at the feet of his master. It wasn't long before both were asleep. **** When Clark awakened, he found Krypto wasn't in bed anymore. He was on the floor eating out of his bowl. Diana entered the room, carrying a tray of food. Clark grinned. "Another day of your servitude. You are spoiling me." Diana placed the tray on his nightstand. "Are you sure you're my Diana?" Diana punched his shoulder lightly. "I soon won't be with those remarks you are making." She then smacked him on the back of his head. "Ow!" Clark grimaced. "What was that for?" "For sneaking out. You're not at full strength." "How did you know I sneak out?" He snapped his eyes to Krypto. "You traitor." "Krypto looked so guilty when I came in, I suspected he let you get away." Diana rubbed Krypto's back. "He should know I would never be mad at him." She glared at Clark. "But at his master, all bets are off." Diana stood and glared at him. "Even if I wasn't alerted to his senses, I would've known." "How?" Clark asked. "Your hair's still wet. What, you decided to take a swim in ocean while you were sneaking out?" Clark shoulders slumped. Damn. He was too tired when he got back to dry his hair. Might as well come clean to her. "I, uh, fell in the ocean." "Kal!" Diana scolded then shook her head. "Ugh, I swear. It seems like I have a child to take care of. I warned you were still weak. You're in no condition to fly yet." "Don't start in on me," he growled. "I admit I was wrong but I'm getting antsy staying here, Diana. I've not been out in the world." "You have your television." `It's not the same, Diana, and you know it." "You don't have to worry about the outside world. J'onn took your place at the Daily Planet before calling in yesterday. Perry White doesn't expect you back to work until next week. By then, you should be at a healthy condition to go back to your life without any worries of falling into the ocean when you fly." Clark looked at Diana somberly. "Then will you be gone?" Diana stared at him puzzled. "Why do you say that?" "The matter concerning your sister is over and we haven't talked what will happen to us yet. You promised your mother you will be returning to Themyscira. I only imagine you are here until I'm well again." "Yes, we must talk about that." Diana sat on the bed. "I was waiting until you were much better before I give you the news." Clark knew what that meant. "That you are leaving?" Diana smiled. "No, that I'm staying. My mother relinquished my banishment. I can come to Themyscira whenever I pleased." Clark was obviously surprised. "What changed her mind?" "You. After what you did on Themyscira, my mother saw how much you love me. She realized how wrong she was." "I see. Where does that leave us, Diana?" Clark asked. Diana thought the answer was obvious. "I thought it would mean we will talk about our wedding plans." "We need to talk if we can *have* a marriage," Clark said seriously. "What if we get married, Diana. What's to stop you from abandoning us to go back to Themyscira?" After all that has happened, he had a right to be angry but she didn't think Clark understood everything. "I'm a princess, Kal, and someday I will be queen. I will have to return to Themyscira one day. Maybe for good." Clark sighed. "I know that and it has me thinking. What will happen to us when you become queen? Will you leave me to go home? What if another sister turns and you blame yourself?" "I realize now that it's not my fault for Triana's turn. We all make our own decisions and we can't blame anyone but ourselves for our actions. When I have return to Themyscira, I would think as my husband you will come with me. You are a welcome guest on Themyscira." Clark raised an eyebrow. "By everyone?" Diana gave an affirmative nod. "Yes. After hearing what you did, the sisters who begrudged you are having a change of heart. You can stay as long as you want. If we must, we can have separate homes on Themyscira, the Fortress and Metropolis." "I want that. I really do, Diana," Clark said earnestly, "But, Diana, when you wanted to end us, I was hurt and angry with you. It's hard enough to trust people, but I thought with you I wouldn't have to worry about trust or getting hurt." Diana hated doing what she did but she had her duty. She hoped her duty would never come between her and Clark again. "I know and I'm sorry. So sorry," Diana apologized. "But I promise in the future, if something like this happen again, we will talk this out and do what is best for us." Diana kissed him as a promise but Clark pulled her closer strengthening the kiss, making it into something more. It wasn't long before Diana was in his lap. Diana only pulled away when she felt something stiffening beneath her. "Well, it seems part of you is almost at full strength." Clark grinned wickedly at her. "It's a good thing the rest of me isn't, otherwise I'll forget my morals and take you right now. So, does you mother approve of us marrying?" Diana smiled happily before throwing her arms around Clark in a deep hug. "Yes, as well as the rest of my sisters." "Then I have a proposition?" "What's that?" "As soon as I get well, we get married." He pulled back so he could look in Diana's eyes. "I just can't wait anymore." "Neither can I, Kal," Diana said huskily as she kissed Clark once more.