Different Worlds by Arcadia
Part Seven
Shifting Views
Part Two
Lois Lane read the The World Today cover story with Wonder Woman and
her mother on the front for the fifth time. The Themyscirian
Princess had allowed humans to walk the island of her home for the
first time in over two thousand years. It was a fascinating read and
the pictures Wonder Woman's friend, Vanessa Kapatelis took were
incredible.
However, Lois was pissed once again. She wasn't angry she didn't get
the story. After all, she wasn't a friend of Wonder Woman. She
hadn't even met the Amazon Princess so she wasn't expecting an
invitation. She was pissed Clark Kent beat her to the punch and
wrote a side story about Diana revealing her home to the world based
on the article.
Clark's story spoke of what it could mean to the world that Wonder
Woman was opening her gates to mortals. How it would mean to the
Amazons to have a man walk the island or how it would mean for an
Amazon to return to the mortal world after years of isolation. He
even praised Diana for leaving her peaceful world to help humanity.
To the average reader, it was a positive piece on Wonder Woman and
her kind. But to an ace reporter Lois Lane, there was something
more. It was subtle but Clark wrote as if he was there.
Lois' sharp mind begin wondering. According to the date Vanessa
spent the weekend with Wonder Woman, it was the same weekend Clark
went out of town with a friend. Was it a coincidence that Wonder
Woman opened the world to her friends the same weekend Clark was
going out of town with a friend? Was it a coincidence Clark printed
his story a day after The World Today broke the story? Was it a
coincidence Clark was friends with Superman and help set up his date
with Wonder Woman? Hell, no. Clark Kent had too many coincidences,
especially with superheroes. Lois was once again determined to find
the connection.
Lois left her office and went to Clark's. Once again, she didn't
bother knocking. "Got a minute, Smallville?"
Clark looked up from his computer. "Sure. What's up?"
Lois sat on his desk and crossed her legs, giving her male colleague
a good view. Cat Grant had no luck tempting him but Lois figured she
did. "You know, we never had that lunch. Wanna go today?"
Clark looked from Lois's legs to Lois herself. What was she up to?
Not that he minded the view but Lois never flirted with him. "Sure.
My schedule's free but I thought you were going to be busy all week?"
"My lunch plans for today got canceled. How about we go to Minerva
at one."
Clark, though suspicious, agreed. "That sounds great, Lois."
Lois grinned. *Sucker.*
****
"Order what you want. It's my treat," Lois told Clark once they were
seated in Minerva.
"Thank you." Clark opened his menu and looked over the food choices.
Lois stared at Clark's head. The bandage was gone and what was even
more remarkable was there wasn't a scar of any kind. "You heal well,
Smallville."
"Hmm?" Clark up from his menu innocent.
"Your injury has healed completely. There's not even a scar."
Clark nodded. "Yeah. The doctor was really good, but I just followed
his orders and kept it covered." He shrugged. "It's no big deal."
Lois wasn't buying it and Clark knew it.
A waitress took their orders and it wasn't long after that before
the food arrived. Lois looked at Clark as he took his napkin and
placed it in his shirt. He twirled twice as much spaghetti on his
fork and tried to put it in his mouth. But it didn't work that way.
The spaghetti fell back on the plate, splattering spaghetti sauce on
the white table cloth and Clark's napkin. Clark tried to wipe the
stain clean but he ended up knocking his glass down and the glass
shattered on the floor. Lois rolled her eyes.
As the spilled water began to spread, Clark started to get on the
floor and clean the mess but Lois grabbed his hand. "No. They have
people to clean up." Lois signaled a waiter for another glass of
water.
With Lois looking the other way, Clark grinned. Clark sat back in
his seat and resume putting too much spaghetti on his fork.
"Um, why don't you put less spaghetti on your fork or better yet,
just cut it?" Lois suggested. *He better be putting on an act
otherwise I'll kill him for embarrassing me.*
Clark smiled like an innocent boy and did as Lois suggested. "Oh,
you're right, Lois. This is better."
As Lois cut her grilled chicken, she casually asked Clark, "So, who
is this friend you went out of town with last weekend?"
Clark almost dropped a meatball. "Why do you bring that up?" Clark
asked.
"Just curious. It *is* the reason why our dinner was postponed to
lunch." Lois smiled innocently. "Why are you dodging, Smallville?
It's just a simple question."
"I'm not dodging," Clark answered. "You never seem interested in my
personal life."
"Considering what you did for me, I'm willing to change and get to
know Clark Kent better. So, tell me about this friend of yours. Is
it a guy? A woman?"
Clark sipped his water, delaying his answer as he wondered what Lois
was getting at. Surely, she couldn't be thinking he was Superman
again? "It was a woman."
Lois looked intrigued. "A woman." *I knew it!* "A girlfriend?"
"No," Clark quickly answered. "A friend. I was helping her move. We
left Metropolis with her stuff and I spent the weekend helping her
move in." *You're getting good at lying on your feet, Kent.*
*You're a bad liar, Kent.* "Oh, so where did you go?"
She was asking too many questions. "Oh, um, New York City."
"The Big Apple. Wow. That's a long drive, Smallville. Guess that's
why you were gone the whole weekend," Lois said nonchalantly.
"Yep," Clark agreed. *Lois is sniffing for something.*
*I'll pull back now. No need to make Clark suspicious.* "Oh,
congratulations on the article, Smallville."
"Thanks." *I knew she would come to that sooner or later.*
"I was reading The World Today magazine about Wonder Woman inviting
her friends to her home and you know what I found strange?" Lois
mused. "Wonder Woman didn't invite Superman. You would think she
would with them dating and all."
"They're not dating, Lois," Clark confirmed Lois. "They are friends.
Anything else is gossip for the rag magazines."
"And Cat Grant's column," Lois added. "You have a connection with
Superman, Smallville, a lot better than me," Lois remarked
bitterly. "And he is a guy. Surely, he talked to you about his
feelings for Wonder Woman."
"Superman only confirm stories with me. He doesn't talk about his
personal life and I don't ask." He looked at her and asked, "Are you
looking for answers because of *your* feelings for Superman?"
Lois scowled. *He thinks he can turn the tables on me so easily.*
Clark would never say it out loud but he did get a kick out of
seeing Lois squirm. "My feelings for Superman are platonic," Lois
lied. "And this isn't about me. It's---" Lois words were cut off by
screams and sounds of explosions.
A group of frightened people ran inside the restaurant. "There's a
giant walking toy outside and it's spitting acid," a civilian cried.
"Toyman?" Clark guessed.
"What a town we live in," Lois quipped. Lois grabbed her purse. "You
pay for lunch, Smallville. I'm covering this story!"
Clark rose from his seat, "Lois, wait!"
Clark started to go after her but a waiter grabbed him. "Hey, you
can't cut and run on the bill!"
Clark sighed as he paid for lunch and rushed out the back entrance
to change into Superman. As Lois hid behind cars and civilians to
protect herself from flying acid, Superman soared in the sky to take
care of business.
Lois noticed Clark hasn`t joined her outside. It wasn't the first
time this happened. Clark always seem to disappear when a disaster
happened. Oh, he had an excuse but Lois was finding them less and
less believable. *There's a chance Clark might not be Superman but
there's a bigger chance he is. I bet a year's salary he went to
Themyscira with Island Girl last weekend. It's too big a
coincidence. I'll find out the truth and how close he is to Wonder
Woman. Superman is mine.*
Once the toy robot was defeated and Toyman taken into custody, Lois
got a chance to finally talk to Superman. It's been a while since
Lois saw Superman up close. For the past weeks, she only saw him on
the television or in the newspaper, particularly the gossip columns
wondering about Superman and Wonder Woman. He answered her questions
about the robot and Toyman but Lois easily detected something
different about Superman, particularly how he viewed her. In the
past, Lois always thought she and Superman had a connection, that he
secretly admired her just as she him but never said it. Now it seems
it was gone, as if he no longer had eyes for her. Lois had an idea
where Superman's eyes were wondering and she didn't like it one bit.
"One more question before I let you go, Superman. Care to explain
the nature of your relationship with Wonder Woman?"
"Wonder Woman and I are friends," Superman answered coolly.
"That's all? Rumors are that you two are a couple."
"And like most rumors, it is false."
"Most rumors contain seeds of truth," Lois countered. Superman said
nothing. "If you and Wonder Woman are friends, then were you
disappointed she didn't invite you to her home?"
"No. I am a man so I assume I will not be welcome and it's only
fitting Wonder Woman invites the people closest to her on
Themyscira. If she wants to invite me, she will."
Lois tucked her recorder in her purse and smiled flirtatiously at
him. "I have an invitation for you, Superman."
"Invitation?"
"Would mind having dinner with me?"
Superman raised an eyebrow. "Professional?"
"Personal," Lois flirted. "How about dinner at my apartment?"
"Miss Lane---"
"Lois," Lois corrected him. "After all the times you saved my life,
it's the least I can do."
Maybe if this was a few months maybe even a year ago but now…"I see.
Well, I appreciate the invitation Miss Lane but I think it will be
best if we keep our relationship professional. Have a good day."
Before Lois could say anymore, Superman flew away. Lois crossed her
arms and grimaced. "Damn."
****
It has been a long eventful weeks for Diana and she was glad to be
home. After dealing with the Khunds and engaging in an almost deadly
battle with the Bana Amazons and Cheetah, Diana was in much need of
a break. It was nice to be back in her room in Julia's home and yet
Diana missed her mother and her sisters. It's been so long since she
seen them and knew she had to return home. The Feast of Five was
approaching and what better way to celebrate by returning Antiope's
Girdle of Gaea. Diana laid in bed thinking of how happy her mother
will be when she presents the girdle when there was a light tapping
on her window. Diana turned and saw Superman outside.
"Kal."
Diana smiled. After the ordeals with Cheetah and the Bana Amazons,
it was nice to see a friendly face. Finally getting used to the ways
of this world, Diana no longer slept nude, settling for loose shirts
or gowns to bed. She rose out of bed, opened her window and floated
outside.
Diana flew into Clark's arms. It's been weeks since they've seen
each other. They've both been busy with Clark's double life in
Metropolis and hers with her mission and making new foes along the
way. She expected a friendly embraced but Clark's hold on her was
tight. It was similar to her mother's after her ordeal with Ares.
Her mother thought she would never see her again and almost refused
to let her go. "I saw the news of you in Egypt. Diana, what
happened? Why didn't you call me? I would've helped."
He was shaking as if he was scared for her. She could heard the
worry for her in his voice. Diana looked in Clark's eyes and saw
concern and worry etched over his face. Julia had that same look as
did her mother but there was something more into Clark's eyes Diana
couldn't decipher. So much has happened since they last spoke, so
much she wanted to share with him. "Come. There's much to talk
about." She took his hand and they floated to the roof where they
sat under the calm, clear sky and full moon.
Diana started with Guy Gardner and how she was forced to kill a
Khund, admitting in some cases violence was needed and how she liked
working with the International Justice League with the exception of
Guy Gardner.
Clark was glad Diana was coming out of her naiveté and seeing the
world for what it was and her admiration of the league, secretly
hoping she would one day join the group. It was a step forward in
Diana growing up and hopefully, a step closer of Diana coming to him.
Then Diana went into what happened to her with the Cheetah,
including their violent battle in Egypt, how she came to close to
death with the Cheetah and the Bana tribe of Amazons in Egypt.
"I20discovered the darkness in me, Kal. The beast. When I fought
Cheetah, I no longer cared about retrieving Hestia's lasso, or
protecting the innocent people. I wanted to kill Cheetah, to utterly
destroy her and make her pay for all her previous attacks on me."
Diana looked at her hands. "I never knew I had such darkness in me."
Clark laid a hand on her left shoulder. "Everyone has darkness in
them, Diana. But we also have a choice to welcome the darkness or
reject it. No matter how much you wanted to kill Cheetah, you
didn't. That shows the true you."
Diana hugged herself. "Still, it's eye opening to see how far I will
go." Diana resume telling Clark the events of Egypt. She left out
discovering Hermes feelings for her. Knowing how Clark felt for her,
Diana didn't think he would react too well knowing that the God
Hermes had romantic feelings for her, too.
When she finished, Clark said worriedly, "You could've been killed,
Diana," Clark said worriedly. "I should've been with you."
Diana looked at Clark thoughtfully. His concern touched her. "If the
Gods had deemed it, you would've been with me, Kal. I've learned I
will face many dangerous things in my mission. Sometimes I will have
allies but sometimes I will battle alone and this was one of those
times." Clark nodded understanding but it was clear he wasn't happy
about it. Diana kissed Clark's cheek, instantly brightening his
mood. "But it helps to know someone cares."
"You know I will come to you whenever you need help," Clark told
Diana.
"I know." She knew he would do anything for her. He was a true
friend indeed though she was beginning to want more. "I do have a
favor to ask of you."
"Anything," Clark said.
"The Feast of Five is approaching on Themyscira. I would like you to
attend."
"I'll be invited back to your home?" Superman asked.
"Well, I think Clark Kent will have to go this time," Diana
explained. "I want to invite eleven others from this world. In an
attempt to promote peace, I must show others the way of my people
and there's no better way to do that than the Feast of Five."
"Then I'll be honored to go." Clark did think he should pass the
story to Lois. She would've written a great story but Diana seem to
really want him to go and as someone trying to win her heart he
couldn't let her down.
****
"Scooped out of another story," Lois grimaced as she read the story
of Clark Kent's trip to Themyscira. Wonder Woman invited twelve
individuals who represent modern Man's World to her homeland. The
great story of Wonder Woman opening her world to people from
Patriarch's World was made even hotter with the attack from Eris,
the God of Ares' child who took control of the Amazons, had the
guests falling under the spell of the Apples of Discord and even
managed to control of Wonder Woman and almost turning her into a
tree. Most of the delegates and Amazons turned on each other in hate
and near violence. It almost brought a tragic end to Wonder Woman's
mission of peace but with Lord Hermes and Clark's help, Wonder Woman
was able to break the spell Eris had over her and help the delegates
break the spell. Lois was angry but she wasn't surprised Clark was
invited to Themyscira, thus getting a hot story that would guarantee
a journalistic award and not at all surprised Clark Kent was one of
the few who never fell under the Apples of Discord spell.
After all, she once again had a strong suspicion Clark was really
Superman and given his past article of the Amazing Amazon inviting
her friends to her home, it was obvious he would go. Still, it
didn't mean Lois wouldn't get any inside dirt.
Lois picked up her phone and contacted Phyllis Haller, one of
individuals invited to Themyscira and got a promise from the
feminist author she would tell Lois of her trip to Themyscira to
give it a more feminine perspective.
"It's a shame you weren't invited, Miss Lane," Phyllis Haller
said. "You would've enjoyed it."
"I'm sure I would've," Lois replied. "But my colleague, Clark Kent,
was the one the princess invited."
"Yes, and I find that interesting."
"Oh? How so?" Lois asked.
"You work with him, Miss Lane. Has Clark Kent mentioned meeting
Wonder Woman?"
"No. Is there something I should know?"
"It was my understanding that Wonder Woman invited him because she
wanted twelve people of different backgrounds to view her world and
give their individual perspective but it seems to me Wonder Woman
knew Mr. Kent quite well."
This was the dirt Lois was looking for. It was enough to make her
giddy. "And what makes you say that?"
"Well, he seem close to her. I often caught him looking her. At
first I thought he was attracted to her, which is perfectly natural.
Wonder Woman *is* a very beautiful woman. But then I noticed her
sharing looks with him and seem to respond well to him. Mr. Kent was
also the only one of us to speak with Wonder Woman privately. He
also came to Wonder Woman's defense when she was rudely questioned
by the Reverend Alan Witherspoon and Robert Cantwell. He was the one
to really help Wonder Woman out over that nasty ordeal with Eris and
help snap us out of the spell from those apples."
Lois listened carefully to what Phyllis said. *If Clark is Superman,
I can only assume he didn't change in fear his cover would be
blown.* Lois thought. "That's interesting. I think will have to
questioned Clark about it. Thanks for the information, Ms. Haller.
It has been most informative."
Lois hung up her phone and looked over her notes carefully. She
tapped her pen thoughtfully against her chin. "He has to be
Superman. There's no other way to explain it. If I go to him now
about it, he'll find some way to fool me again." Lois looked at the
article again and stared at Wonder Woman's picture taken by Clark
Kent for the Daily Planet. "If they are growing closer, I've got to
stop it somehow. Superman's mine. I had him first. Why should I let
some princess take him from me?"
Lois left her office. She went to Clark's office. When she got to
the door, she contemplated knocking or storming in when she heard
Clark talking on the phone. Curious she listened in.
"It's good to hear from you, Diana."
Lois froze. Diana? Wonder Woman's name was Diana. It had to be
Wonder Woman calling Clark. There was no way Clark knew two
different Diana's.
Clark sat at his desk, his attention fully on Diana and with the
normal hustle and bustle of a newsroom was unaware of Lois listening
in on the conversation. "I was worried about you when you took off
like that at the UN."
"I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly, Kal. I was excited to see Julia
and Vanessa and after all that has happened, I wanted to finally
relax. Nessie would say, `Chill out.'"
Clark laughed. "No, I understand completely. I get that way myself
sometimes. How are Julia and Vanessa?"
Diana sounded sad over the phone. "Actually, they are not here. They
were gone when I arrived."
Clark frowned. "That's too bad."
"It's all right. I forgot Nessie is in New York for summer camp and
Julia is in Turkey discovering Themyscira's original home."
"Sounds fascinating. What are you doing in the meantime?"
"I've read a couple of books Julia and Vanessa recommended for me. I
tried watching the television. It's very depressing. I tried
watching a show called "Days of our Lives" and it didn't make sense
to me."
"Soap operas," Clark mused. "They never do."
Diana laughed. "I guess not. I tried calling Steve and Etta but they
are busy. I tried contacting Lord Hermes and thank him again for his
help during my imprisonment with the Tree of Discord but I cannot
contact him. I thought about going home but I've only been away for
a few days you see. I don`t want to run home every time I am by
myself."
Clark knew what Diana's problem was. "Diana, I get the feeling you
are lonely?" Clark quipped.
Diana gave a little laugh. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yes." Clark answered and Diana laughed even louder. "So, what do
you propose to do about it?"
"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind some company in Metropolis."
"I wouldn't mind at all but there are more eyes here than at your
place." Clark thought about his plans. He had to work at the Daily
Planet today and tomorrow. He also had league duties tomorrow and he
couldn't back out of that. "I have to work today and tomorrow but I
am free Sunday. How about I see you then? We'll spend the day
together."
"I would like that. Thank you."
As Clark made arrangements with Diana, Lois walked casually from
Clark's office until she was safely away then she started running
through the newsroom like a madwoman. She had him. She had him now!
She was certain Clark was Superman. Now she needed proof and the one
person who could help her, she didn't see.
Lois spotted Jimmy coming out of the elevator and nearly pounced
him. "Jimmy, have you seen Cat Grant?"
"Um, I saw her downstairs."
"Is she on her way back up?"
"Um, I think she was waiting for someone." Lois released him and
jumped in the elevator. Jimmy scratched his head wondering what that
was about.
****
Lois jumped out of the elevator as she searched for Cat Grant. She
spotted the gossip columnist talking to a handsome, well dressed
man. Lois got in front of them.
"Excuse me," Lois said to Cat's date. "I need to borrow Cat for a
second." Lois grabbed Cat's right arm. "I need to talk to you."
Cat pulled herself out of Lois' grip. "Talk to me when I get back.
As you can see I have a hot lunch date."
"I have a story for you," Lois told her.
Cat scoffed. "I don't want any story Lois Lane is going to pass up."
"Not even concerns Superman and Wonder Woman."
That got Cat's attention. Cat looked to her date. "Give us a few
minutes, baby." She kissed her date's cheek and walked off with
Lois. "Spill. Why would you give me a story that concerns Superman
and Wonder Woman?"
"Because it's right up your alley. You are a gossip columnist and I
have a juicy story for you."
"Why me?" Cat asked cautiously. "Why aren't you hogging it. You're
hot for any story that concerns Superman."
Lois realized she would have to confess to Cat to get her to go
along with her plan. "Yes, but I don't want Superman to know I have
any connection to this story." *If he did, he would never want me.*
"I see," Cat said. "You don't want to ruin any chances you have with
Superman." Cat shrugged. "Luckily, I don't have that problem. What
have you got?"
"I have a good hunch Superman will visit Wonder Woman this Sunday.
All you need is some pictures and you can make up any story you
want, right?"
"Right?" Cat agreed.
"Wonder Woman is believe to be staying at Julia Kapatelis summer
home in Wakefield, Massachusetts," Lois said.
Cat nodded. "I gotcha. I'll take the pictures personally."
"You're not doing this without me," Lois said abruptly. "Superman
could hear you if you are two close. We need to get some cameras set
up around Julia's home and watch from afar."
Cat grinned. "I can do that. I know a guy who has the highest state
of art cameras. The range is incredible. It's not even on the
market. He'll let me borrow some."
"You slept with him didn't you?" Lois guessed.
Cat grinned salaciously. "Of course I did." She stared at her date
waiting. "I gotta go but as soon as I get back, we work out the
details."
"Deal."
Once Cat left, Lois head back up to her floor, pondering over her
decision. She felt guilty but she had to know the truth. If Superman
meets Diana this weekend, then she would know for sure Clark is
Superman. Before Wonder Woman arrived in the world, Lois felt a
connection with Superman and he felt it with her, Lois was sure of
it. It was like he was her soul mate. But ever since Wonder Woman
came to the world, she felt Superman pulling away from her. Even
when he saved her life, he would be cordial and professional. Now if
she discovers the truth about Clark and Superman, she can finally
find a way to work her way into his heart again.
