Different Worlds by Arcadia
Part Five
Aftermath
Part Two
It was surreal going back to work on Monday Clark thought as he rode
the elevator to his floor at the Daily Planet. After everything that
has happened over the past two days, he felt different. He wasn't
sure why. Superman and Wonder Woman were the hot headlines and that
hadn't gotten to him yet. Maybe it had to do with the fact there
wasn't a crisis since Saturday to thrust the Man of Steel into the
public eye. Maybe it was his Pa's advice that eased his doubts about
Diana. He wasn't sure but he was going to enjoy this peace around
him while it lasted.
Clark stepped off the elevator. He dropped his things in his office
and went to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. As he got his coffee
and a couple of donuts he said hello to Ron, Jimmy and Cat who was
also in the kitchen. The three were looking at the pictures of
Superman and Wonder Woman from various papers across the world.
"If you look at those pictures closely, you'll see how hot they are
for each other," Cat said pointing at a picture of Superman and
Wonder Woman staring at each other.
Ron only came in for his coffee and donut before he was pulled in to
look at the picture. He shook his head at Cat and Jimmy's
behavior. "There are more important things going on than Superman
and Wonder Woman."
"You're telling me you're not the least bit curious about them?" Cat
asked.
"Sure I'm curious but this was obviously a private meeting between
them. After all they've done, they deserve some privacy and not nosy
people butting in their lives," Ron explained.
Cat ignored Ron. She felt as a gossip columnist it was her right to
know as well as the public of two of the most popular public figures
in the world. "Just look at Superman, Jimmy. You can totally tell he
wants to rip off what little clothes Wonder Woman is wearing."
And that was all Clark needed to hear. He made a quick exit. The
last thing he wanted was to be dragged into this conversation and
the less time he thought about ripping off Diana's clothes the more
productive he will be at work.
When he returned to his office, Clark was surprised to see Lois Lane
in his office, sitting in his chair. She had the morning's paper in
her lap.
"Lois?" Clark looked at his co-worker confused. "Good morning." She
didn't answer. "What's going on?"
Lois opened the newspaper to the front page revealing a picture
Superman and Wonder Woman staring in each other's eyes in the
Balkans. The headlines read: Is it Love? It was written of course by
Lois Lane.
"Got anything you want to tell me, Kent?" Lois asked.
Clark adjusted his glasses. "Great story, Lois. You always get the
good stories. I guess that's why you're an ace reporter."
"An ace reporter wouldn't have almost lost this story to a country
bumpkin like you," Lois retorted.
*Uh-oh.* Clark laughed nervously. "W-what are you talking about?"
Lois rose to her feet. "I'm talking about how you knew Superman and
Wonder Woman were going to the Balkans for their date."
"W-what?" He laughed nervously. "H-how would I know about that?"
"I talked to Myndi Mayer. She said you helped Superman arranged his
date with Wonder Woman." Lois got in his face. "You can't lie your
way out of this, Kent."
Clark placed his coffee and donuts on his desk. "All right. I knew
but why are you angry? You broke the story. Shouldn't I be angry at
you for stealing my story?"
"I should be angry because all these stories about Superman just
happen to fall in your lap!" Lois screamed. "I'm the one risking my
neck. I'm the one dodging bullets, kidnappings, murder threats while
you're the one who has easy access to Superman and have big stories
like his date with Wonder Woman fall in your lap"
Lois shook her head laughing, "Y'know, I picked my brain trying to
figure how you get stories without near death experiences and it hit
me. You have to be Superman."
*Here we go again.* "Superman?" Clark feigned innocence. "You think
I'm Superman? Again?"
"At first I thought the idea was ludicrous. I mean, I made the
accusation before and I *was* on my fifth drink but the more I
thought about it, the more it *did* make sense." Lois looked him
over. "You're slouching but if you stand up straight, I'll bet
you're as tall as Superman."
"There are a lot of people the same height as Superman," Clark said
lightly.
"Yeah, but do these same people have the same hair and eye color as
Superman *and* special contacts with him like you?" Lois asked then
answered. "No, they don't."
"Lois, we've been through this before," Clark argued
sheepishly. "You saw Superman and me together once."
"It could've been a trick," Lois dismissed the thought. "You're
Superman. I'm sure you have a thousand ways of protecting your
identity."
"Boy, Lois, when you get drunk, you have some wild imaginations,"
Clark laughed though on the inside he was sweating bullets.
Lois got in his face again. "I may not have all the facts but I
will. You're gonna slip up, Kent and when you do, I'll be there."
Lois stormed out of his office and Clark dropped into his chair. So
much for that peace. He had to think of something quick to throw
Lois off. He couldn't have her watching him otherwise she *will*
catch him in the act.
He thought about using Diana to help him but that would make Lois
even more suspicious. Diana was also on her way to Greece this
morning so contacting her was out of the question.
An idea did come to mind and it would require him to go to his
Fortress. Knowing Lois would follow him wherever he went, Clark
waited until Perry White called Lois into his office to leave. He
was only gone for half an hour but as soon as he returned, Lois was
after him on his whereabouts.
"So, where did you go, Smallville?" Lois asked. "Stopped a bank
robbery? Rebuilt a bridge?"
"Well, I did go to the bank for a deposit." Clark said.
"Yeah, right," Lois didn't believe him and to prove her point she
pulled out a pair of cuffs and put one over Clark's right wrist and
the other over her left.
Clark was stunned Lois would go this far. "Lois, what are you doing?"
"You're not going anywhere else without me, Smallville. Not until
you prove you're not Superman."
Clark looked at the cuffs. "You keep a pair of cuffs handy?"
"It's not what you think," Lois said then added. "Never mind. A
country bumpkin like you would never think that way. After all the
times I've been tied and cuffed, I've been teaching myself to get
out of them."
"Oh," Clark said but the fact that Lois kept a pair of cuffs was
still a little disturbing. "Does that mean you're going to the
restrooms with me?"
"Whatever it takes to prove you're Superman, Smallville," Lois
promised.
A large crash outside was heard that sent everyone in the newsroom
going to the nearest window. Lois pulled Clark out of his seat and
dragged him out of his office to a window with her.
A corporate building not far from the Daily Planet was being built.
A large crane holding a group of workers several stories up toppled,
barely attached to the building. The people on the crane were
holding on for dear life.
"This looks like a job for Superman," Lois quipped and stared at
Clark.
Clark looked out the window. "Yeah, I hope he shows up. Those people
can't hold on forever."
"He will," Lois said and pulled Clark's arm and lead him towards the
nearest elevator. "And we're going to greet him together."
In the elevator, Clark said, "Lois, supposed I was Superman and I'm
not, is it worth it to break my secret just so you can be proven
right?"
"Yes!"
"What about the people?" Clark asked.
"Superman would not hesitate to reveal himself if it saves lives,"
Lois said confidently. "I know him. I know him better than anyone."
When they left the Daily Planet building, Lois and Clark went to the
crowd that were watching the workers hold on. Lois
frowned. "Superman should've been here already." She looked at
Clark. "What are you waiting for? Go and change."
"But I'm not Superman," Clark argued. He wanted to help but this
accident wasn't part of his plan. It would help it thought
if `Superman' revealed himself while he stood next to Lois.
Lois looked at Clark irate. "Lives are at stake, Smallville! Stop
being selfish and change already!"
"But Lois, I'm not---"
"Superman!" Someone from the crowd shouted.
Lois and Clark looked up to see Superman flying in the sky coming
onto the scene. Superman begin grabbing the workers and helping them
off the crane. Lois' mouth fell open. She looked at Clark standing
next to her and Superman in the sky. "That can't be!" She grabbed
Clark by the lapels of his jacket. "How are you doing this?"
Clark looked at Lois innocently. "But Lois, I'm not doing anything.
I'm not Superman."
Screams were suddenly heard and Lois and Clark looked up to see what
was going on. Workers were holding onto Superman any way they could.
Four was holding onto Superman's harms while another had an arm
around the Man of Steel's neck. After Superman rescued the last one,
the crane gave way and fell to the ground. The people below were
running avoiding the crane fall of them. Superman couldn't do
anything to stop it as he still held on to the men he rescued. Lois
and Clark looked up too late as the crane fell towards them.
Clark only had seconds to act. Clark picked up Lois and jumped. He
avoided getting the crane to crash on him and Lois but he landed
hard on the street as a result, crashing head first onto the
concrete with Lois safely on top of him.
Lois raised herself off Clark, slightly disorientated. She gasped
when she saw blood oozing out of Clark's head. "Clark!" Lois cried
out. She lightly slapped him. "C'mon, Clark. Wake up. I'm sorry. I'm
so sorry! I thought you were Superman and---"
Clark groaned and slowly opened his eyes. "Wh-what happened?"
"You're alive!" Lois cried out.
Superman, free of the workers he saved, landed beside Lois and
Clark. "Is he all right?"
Lois looked up at Superman. "Superman, Clark needs a doctor. You
gotta get him to the hospital."
Superman helped Clark stand. "Are you all right, Mr. Kent?"
"Not really," Clark groaned.
Superman noticed Clark cuffed to Lois. He gave her a questioningly
look. "It's a long story, Superman," Lois said. "And it doesn't
matter. Clark needs a doctor."
"I'll get him to one right now." Superman broke the cuffs of Clark,
picked him up and flew away.
Lois watched them leave, feeling guilty for putting Clark's life in
danger like that. "Great. I could've gotten Smallville killed trying
to prove he's Superman and he was right. He wasn't but I was so sure
he was." Lois sighed, "How am I gonna get over this guilt?"
Superman flew Clark Kent higher in the sky until they were soaring
above the clouds so the power of the yellow sun shined on both.
Clark groaned in mild pain.
Superman also known as Kel-Ex looked at his master concerned. "Are
you all right, Master Kal-El."
Clark pulled up his jacket sleeve revealing his red sun watch. Clark
built it with similar powers of the red sun. He had it in case he
had to pretend he was human. He had no idea he would use it to prove
to Lois he wasn't Superman. Clark removed the watched and gave it to
Kel-Ex. "I will be as soon as my powers return. Keep that safely in
the Fortress," he instructed Kel-Ex.
Clark floated in the air allowing the sun's powers to heal the wound
on his head. He grimaced, "The things I do to keep my identity a
secret."
"Was it your intention for the crane to fall?" Kel-Ex asked. "I
wasn't program to expect that."
"No. That was a freak accident. I was only hoping for Lois to catch
Superman and Clark together at the same time. I had no idea that
crane was going to fall or I was going to injure myself. I was
planning on cutting myself or trick Steve Lombard into punching me
but it all worked out for the best. Lois will no longer suspect me
as Superman."
*At least until she gets the crazy idea again.*
And that was something Clark was hoping wouldn't happen for a long
time.
****
Diana didn't find time to talk with Julia until the morning they
were leaving Greece. Everything didn't go as expected for the
princess. While Diana was able to visit the home of the Gods when
they were on Earth, Diana encountered a witch, Circe who Diana knew
nothing about. It troubled her the Gods did know about Circe and
They did not warn her.
Diana sat in a chair in front of a mirror as Julia brushed her hair.
She was once more looking through Julia's photo album when she
thought about Superman. "Julia, now that we have time alone, I must
talk to you and I feel you are the only one to help me sort out what
I am going through."
"You can talk to me about anything," Julia told Diana. "You know
that."
Diana began with the dreams she was having of Superman, her
confession to Vanessa, going to Myndi and finally meeting Superman
and helping the people in the Balkans.
"Yes, I saw the news coverage of the two of you in the Balkans,"
Julia said. "I didn't ask because I knew you would talk about it
when you wanted to."
"Thank you." Diana felt even better sharing this with Julia after
hearing that confession. "When we left the Balkans, Superman took me
to his home where we could talk privately. He freely shared his past
with me and said things that challenge my views but in a good way. I
enjoyed the time I spent with him and we have decided to keep in
contact."
"That sounds great, Diana," Julia said then noticed the concern on
Diana's face, "but you seem troubled."
"I am." Diana admitted. "I don't know what to think of these
feelings I have when I think of Superman. I thought I would
understand them better but I haven't."
"What are you feeling?"
"When I talked to him over the phone, I was nervous and excited at
the same time. My heart was racing as if I ran a marathon. When I
talked to him at his fortress, I realized he wasn't like the God I
envisioned him. He was more. Gods are known to abuse their powers.
Superman doesn't. He is so humble. He doesn't abuse his powers. He
helps whenever possible. And when we kissed--"
"Superman kissed you?" Julia was stunned.
Diana laughed shyly. "Yes. It was quite unexpected. I barely managed
a hello to him when he suddenly kissed me."
Julia laughed. "Sounds to me he was very infatuated with you and as
inexperienced in romance as you." Julia chuckled. "I never would've
thought that of Superman."
Diana looked at Julia amazed. "Yes! He admitted he had little
experience, too. Oh, Julia, you *do* understand. I'm glad I am able
to share this with you."
"It's my pleasure, Diana. So, how did it feel when he kissed you?"
Diana looked lost. "I don't know. I was too stunned to react. When
Superman saw how still I was, he apologized three times. He would've
continued with the apologies had I not stopped him."
"Sounds to me he really felt guilty for making you uncomfortable and
was trying to make up for it," Julia wisely guessed. "For Superman
to apologize shows he has some values."
"I think so, too. He didn't kiss me again until I left and even
then, he kissed my hand."
Julia noticed Diana looked disappointed at that. "Did you want him
to kiss you again, Diana?"
Diana became silent and then. "Part of me wanted him to kiss me
again while another part didn't. The feelings I have for him are the
same, only a little stronger."
Julia smiled. "You are many things, Diana. After all the amazing
things you can do, the wisdom you display, the hope you have for
this world. It's pleasing to see you're finally becoming a woman."
"But I am a woman," Diana said innocently.
"Yes, you are," Julia said. "But you haven't experience things as a
woman. You haven't experience your first crush. A first kiss."
"My mother warned women should be guarded of such feelings. When I
read upon these feelings here, I learn humans long for such
feelings, even die for them. That is frightening, Julia."
"Not really. You love your mother and sisters don't you?"
"Of course."
"Would you die for them?"
"Of course."
"Love is the same thing, only between a man and a woman, it's much
stronger and much different. When you have parents and siblings, you
naturally love them but when it's between a man and a woman, it's
different. It's something that develops. It can start as friendship
but grow into something more. You will want to show this love
differently than with family."
"Like kissing on the lips?" Diana guessed.
"Yes, like that," Julia said. *Among other things but I don't think
you're ready for that yet.* Love is a very powerful emotion, Diana.
It can be blinding, exciting. It can be many things."
"I see."
Julia laid the brush on the dresser and turned Diana in her chair so
she could look at her. "Oh, but I wouldn't worry too much about it,
Diana. I don't think you're in love with Superman."
"What do you think I feel, Julia?" Diana asked. She had no idea how
to sort her feelings but any advice from Julia would help her out.
"I think you are attracted to Superman. Nessie would say you have
the hots for him."
"Actually she did," Diana admitted. "Julia, do you think the
feelings I harbor for Superman are the same feelings you have for
your late husband?"
"Perhaps but it's too soon to tell, Diana. You only had one date
with Superman. You can't fall in love after one date. That's for
romance novels and soap operas. My advice would be for you to take
these feelings one day at a time. Don't try to figure it all out at
once."
Diana stood and embraced Julia. "Thank you, Julia. Your advice is
most welcoming."
*****
Superman flew over the calm night skies of Wakefield, Massachusetts.
He heard on the news about the shocking death of Myndi Mayer. He
knew Myndi helped Wonder Woman make a name for herself in this
world. She was the one to set up their date. Knowing Diana as a
gentle yet innocent soul, he knew the news had to shock her. Diana
came from a world of peace where there is no violence, no drugs or
alcohol to bring out the worst in people. It was tragedy for Myndi
to die in such a way and the only thing he could offer Diana was his
condolences.
During his research, he was able to find out a lot about Julia
Kapatelis including her address. It wasn't hard to find them. Not
many people owned a large piece of land with a lake. He scanned
Julia's summer home and only found Julia and her daughter Vanessa
asleep in bed. Not seeing Diana inside, he figured she was outside.
He flew towards the lake and spotted a dark silhouette moving in the
shadows. It had to be Diana. He landed where the moonlight shined
brightest on the ground. Diana was still in the dark hiding behind a
tree. "Diana?" he called softly. "It's me, Super--um, Kal."
Diana stepped from behind the tree and walked into the
moonlight. "Kal?"
Superman froze. Diana stood before him naked. This wasn't like the
dream where he pictured her naked. This was much better! He could
feel his lower body starting to react and so he turned away. He only
saw Diana nude for a couple of seconds before manners kicked in but
he will remember the sight he saw. Oh, he will always remember.
"Er, I'm sorry," he apologized. "I didn't know you were undressed.
I'll give you a chance to dress. I'm sorry."
"I didn't bring any clothes with me," Diana said. "I left Julia's
home nude."
Clark felt a twitch in his red underwear and his member stiffening.
He did not need to hear that! Clark closed his eyes and
concentrated, thinking of the only thing that would get his member
down: pummeling Darkseid. He pictured beating the Lord of Apokolips
senseless. With great relief his member started to sag.
"Kal?" Diana called.
Superman removed his cape and held it to her Diana. "Here. Put this
on."
"I must get use to the strange customs of this world and how
uncomfortable it is for others to be nude," Diana said taking the
cape. "Our bodies are beautiful things and we Amazons were taught
not to be ashamed. I hope to change this."
*What does she mean by that?* "You want everyone in the world to
walk around naked?"
Diana laughed. "No. We wear clothes to cover ourselves and for
protection from such things as battle or the weather but if we see
each other nude we are not ashamed or embarrass for walking in on
someone as you were with me in prayer."
"You were praying?" Superman asked. *Who prays naked?*
"Yes. You can turn around. I am dressed."
Superman turned and Diana was as he thought erotically wrapped in
his cape. Her curves were defined as the cape fit her like a
strapless dress, revealing her bare shoulders and long legs. It
covered her more than her own uniform but she never looked as sexy
as she did now.
"Let's walk back to the house," Diana suggested.
Clark followed Diana to the steps of Julia's home. The automatic
porch lights came on. Diana stood at the door. "Would you like to
come inside?"
"No. When I checked the house your friends were sleeping. I don't
want to disturb them."
"All right." Diana sat on the steps and Superman sat beside
her. "I'm surprised you've come to see me." She smiled at him. "But
I am glad you did come by."
"Yes and I wish it was on better terms," Clark said somberly. "I
came to express my apologies over the death of Myndi Mayer."
Diana was visibly sadden at the mention of Myndi's name. She looked
away pensive. "I feel some responsibility for her death."
"Why?"
"If I wasn't so blinded by the celebrity of being Wonder Woman, I
would've noticed the corruption around me. I knew Myndi drank and
smoke. From what I read, I knew they weren't good for the body. I
could've talked to her, convinced her to quit. I could've stopped
her from going so far as to using drugs." Diana looked at Clark, her
eyes looking lost to his. "How can I teach the world if I cannot see
the corruption around me, Kal?"
"Some things are beyond our control, Diana. You can't blame
yourself."
"I just feel my world is falling apart around me, Kal. It's not just
Myndi's death that is bothering me. Not long ago, I was attacked by
the Silver Swan but it wasn't me she wanted to destroy but what the
celebrity of *me* represented: the epitome of feminine ideals and
beauty and while I was in Greece, I was attacked by a sorceress,
Circe."
"Circe?" Clark questioned.
Diana explained about her ordeal with Circe. When she finished, she
said, "Why didn't the Gods warned me about her? Why do others have
to die because they believe in me? When I pray to the Gods, they do
not answer. Have I failed them or are they realizing as I'm starting
to suspect that this mission is too much for me?"
Hearing the vulnerability in her voice, Clark couldn't help himself
as he put an arm around Diana and pulled her close. Diana leaned on
him.
"I don't think the Gods have abandoned you. Maybe they are silent
because this is something they feel you should discover on your own
without their help. My mother told me God is always listening to
one's problem and prayer. It's normal to experience a crisis but you
must never lose faith. Never lose hope for then you have truly lost
contact with God or Gods in you case."
"Your mother is a wise woman, Kal."
Clark grinned. "She likes to think so. Don't feel guilty for getting
caught in the whirlwind of being Wonder Woman. It's only natural.
Just don't forget who you are, Diana."
Diana nodded taking his advice and impulsively hugged him much to
Clark's shock. "Thank you. I needed to hear that but I wish They
would send me a sign."
Clark wrapped his arms around her and Diana leaned against him once
more. "They will, Diana. They will."
"Would you like to come to the memorial service?" Diana asked.
"Sure. I'll come as Clark Kent. If I come as Superman, my presence
will take away from Myndi's funeral."
"Yes. Human priorities are so misguided. I hope to change that,
too." Diana looked at him puzzled. "If you are coming as Clark Kent,
how will I recognize you?"
"Something tells me, you will know."
"Thank you." Diana realized how close they were. The feel of his
body against hers did strange things to Diana. Her heart started to
race and an unexplainable feeling passed through her having Clark to
close. It frightened Diana and she immediately pulled out of his
arms. "My….my thoughts are clearer now. I should get some rest for
Myndi's service."
They stood and Diana tug at Superman's cape still wrapped around her
body. "Do you want this back?"
"No, you keep it," Clark insisted. "I have plenty."
"I shall return this to you," Diana promised.
"No, you can keep it. Maybe take it out sometimes when you`re
praying." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Something to cover
yourself in case someone walks on you."
"Or fly in on me?" Diana quipped. Under the porch lights, she saw
Clark's cheeks turned a darker shade of red. She grinned. "Good
night, Kal."
"Good night, Diana."
Diana walked towards the door and looked back at Clark. After
staring at him for a long moment, she went into his arms again and
hugged him once more before disappearing in the house. As she closed
the door, Julia was coming down the stairs and Diana could hear the
whoosh outside of Superman flying away.
"Diana," Julia said sleepily. "I thought I heard voices." She froze
when she saw Diana wrapped in Superman's cape. "Why are you wearing
Superman's cape?"
"He loaned it to me. He came to talk to me when I was praying."
Thinking of how uncomfortable Superman was left Diana smiling. "He
was embarrassed."
Julia sighed. "Diana, you really should wear clothes when you pray.
It's not right standing before a man in the nude. You don't want
them leering at you."
"Superman didn't leer," Diana said. "As soon as he saw me unclothed,
he turned away and offered me his cape."
"So there are gentlemen still around in this world." Julia said.
*Still, I bet he got a good glimpse of her before turning
away.* "Why did Superman come by?"
"To express condolences about Myndi. He gave me some sound advice."
Julia smiled. She knew Diana was troubled over Myndi's death and she
was glad Superman was able to help her. Whether Diana knew it or not
she found someone special in Superman but Julia knew how naïve Diana
was and unaware of the attraction Superman had for her. She only
hoped Diana realized and understood her feelings before it was too
late. With rumors of that pretty reporter in Metropolis always
being rescued by Superman, Julia was sure Superman wouldn't wait for
Diana forever.
