Chapter 6: Recovery
For 3 days Diana sits there, barely eating and sleeping. She mops Kal’s brow with a damp cloth trying to keep his fever under control. Every day Phillipus briefs her. She had lost another 200 sisters in the final battle and it would take years to rebuild everything. The council had agreed to delay the decision on her punishment until Kal’s fate was known. On the morning of the fourth day Kal’s fever broke and the wound finally closed but he remained unconscious. Diana had had the bed moved so he was in the sunlight. She strokes some of his hair back. “Kal you have to wake up. Remember what you said about just the 2 of us left, well I don’t want to be the only one left so you have to wake up or I’ll kick your butt.”
Nothing. No response. Diana sighs. Her heart aches.
“You care for him.”
Diana turned to see Phillipus arrive to give her daily briefing. “Of course I care he’s my friend.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.” Phillipus had watched Diana refuse to leave Superman for days. They had always had an easy banter between them but he had been betrothed to another so Phillipus believed they had ignored any possible attraction between them. After watching Diana for 3 days it was clear her feelings were beyond friendship.
Diana doesn’t want to get into that. Of course in the Fortress she had realised she might be attracted to him but she had put it to one side until Ares was defeated. Well now Ares was defeated she didn’t know what to do. She was still Queen at least until the council probably deposed her and then of course there was Kal’s emotional baggage. They had barely begun getting through that. Diana sighs. “I know what you mean but it’s not easy. He has issues, particularly around his late wife. He didn’t expect to live this long and he hasn’t come to terms with that.”
Phillipus nods in understanding.
“So anything new to report today?” Diana asks changing the subject.
“No not really. The council will meet with you when you’re ready. Rebuilding work has begun. Food could be a problem. Many field were damaged.”
Diana smiles “Kal could help with that. He’s a farmer’s son, did I ever tell you that?”
“No your Majesty you didn’t. I am somewhat surprised one such as him had such humble beginnings.”
“I think it’s those beginnings that made him who he is. His parents were such lovely people. They were open, kind, friendly and they didn’t judge. It was people like them that convinced me we could have relationships with the outside world. Of course since my mother’s death the council has refused outright to reopen the embassy in Washington or have any relations with the outside world.”
Phillipus nods “We opened ourselves up once and were nearly destroyed along with the rest of the world.”
“I know. But our isolation hasn’t exactly kept us safe. The last few weeks have proved that.”
“Maybe you should say that to the council.”
“Do you think they would listen?” Diana raises a sceptical eyebrow.
“I think Superman’s actions have softened their stance a little. It would not hurt to propose it.”
“If they let me remain Queen. I broke the law. Even the Queen of the Amazons can‘t do that.”
“No she can’t but she can bend them, after all Superman isn’t of Man’s world. He isn’t of this world at all.”
Diana let the words sink in. Well technically that’s true. Well she could mention that at her hearing she supposed. “Thank you. I’m not sure I’ve said that to you.”
Phillipus smiles “My duty is to serve you as it was to serve your mother. I’ll leave you in peace.”
Diana watches Phillipus walk off and turns her attentions back to Kal. Most of his cuts have faded to bruises but still he doesn’t wake. Of course this is not the first time she has sat beside him as he heals from injuries. She does care for him, she always cared for him but he had Lois and Diana respected that. Of course she had Bruce at least for a while. His obsession with his mission did grate slightly with her but she certainly did love him. Fate however ended that when her mother died and she had to take the throne. She sighs at the lost opportunities for happiness and turns her attention back to Kal. His eyes are moving under his eyelids, he’s dreaming. She wonders what about.
“Lois.” Kal whispers in his sleep.
Diana catches it. She isn’t totally surprised but for some reason she’s disappointed. No that’s not the word. Saddened. No she’s not sure that’s the word either. She can’t think of the word but a part of her wishes it was her name he had whispered. She brushes his hair with her hand “What are you dreaming about Kal?”
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Kal wakes up in his old apartment in Metropolis with dread. Oh no not this dream again. Wait he doesn’t usually realise it’s a dream. This is different.
“Hello Clark.”
Kal turns to the doorway. As usual Lois is standing there but again it’s different. She’s not in that red dressing gown, she’s in a long white dress. Apart from weddings and official engagements he had never seen her in a dress. And another thing she doesn’t usually call him Clark. “What happened to Smallville?” he asks.
Lois chuckles “That’s just to annoy you.”
“Well I hate to tell you this but I kinda got to like it.”
Lois mock pouts at him. “You really are one of a kind.”
“I aim to please.”
Lois walks over and sits on the bed. When she moves to touch him Kal backs off afraid she’ll turn to dust like before. “It’s alright Clark. Take my hand.” She holds it out.
Kal slowly reaches for it and gently takes her hand. It’s warm and she’s still here. Kal looks up into her eyes “Lois?”
“Clark or is it Kal these days?” Lois responds to him.
“How do you know that?” he asks with surprise.
“You tell me. It’s your dream Smallville.” Lois gets a smirk on her face as she says his nickname.
Kal can’t help but smile in return but he can’t help but think this is all wrong. “Is this a dream?”
Lois tightens her grip on Kal’s hand “Yes it is but that doesn’t make it any less real at least to you.”
“So I’m not dead? Because the last thing I remember is getting stabbed.”
“No your not dead but really Clark I thought you would have learned to stay away from the kryptonite by now. When you crushed it tiny pieces entered your wound. It’s taken your body 3 days to burn them out.” Lois informs him.
“Ok you know a lot for someone who is…” Kal can’t finish the sentence.
“Dead Clark. You can say it.”
“No I can’t.” he says back to her.
“Sure you can, you said it to Diana. You tell anyone who asks about me.”
“I can’t say it. Not here. Not to myself. It hurts so much.” Tears form in his eyes.
Lois moves in and wraps her arm around him “I know it does but this isn’t good for you. You’re actually having to remind yourself to think about the good times. That should be a given. It’s time to let go of me.”
“I can’t. I love you.”
“I love you too but I’m not the only one and it’s time to let her in…” Lois breaks the hug and points to Kal’s heart “here.”
Kal’s brow furrows with confusion “Are you asking me to forget you?”
“No I’m asking you to do what you have done for everyone else. You accepted their death and moved on. Have you forgotten about any of them?”
“No of course I haven’t.”
“Exactly you cherish your memories of them and move on.”
Kal’s mouth hangs open. “That’s exactly what Diana said.”
“Yeah I know. For once I’m glad that women is around.” Lois says with a note of jealously in her voice.
“Lois I told you…”
Lois cuts him off “Yeah, yeah, you and Diana are just friends. Answer me this if I hadn’t been around would you have considered a relationship with her.”
“I,…I” Kal can’t answer it.
“Think about it, someone close to your level of power and don’t say you don’t think she’s attractive.”
Kal spoke honestly “No I can’t say that. She was, she is my friend but I had you.”
“And at one time I was just your friend.” Lois reminds him. “So now answer my question.”
“Honestly?” he asks.
Lois nods.
“Yes I would have thought about a relationship with her.” Truthfully Kal had cared for her, perhaps more than he was willing to admit to himself but he did love Lois and in the end he had chosen Lois.
There’s a silence. Kal gets worried “Lois are you going to send me to the couch again?”
Lois bursts out laughing. A loud all consuming laugh. Kal is confused and worried. “Lois what’s so funny?”
Lois gets her laughter in check. “Oh it’s just I stopped being mad at you after the second day.”
The second day? “Lois you left me there for a week.”
“I know.” Lois starts laughing again.
Kal folds his arms across his chest and waits. Lois’ laughter subsides “Oh you know perfectly well that look doesn’t work on me.”
“A week Lois. Why did you leave me there for a week?”
Lois shrugs. “I just wanted you to stew and it proved to me how much you loved me.”
“I still love you.” Kal feels the need to add.
“And you always will. Doesn’t mean you should drown yourself in sorrow and grief. I’m glad to see Diana had made a dent in that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you happier since she’s been around? And remember you’re Superman and you don’t lie.”
“Yes.” Kal keeps the answer short.
Lois stands up “Right then that’s all I needed to know. Well that and the fact I needed you to realise it.”
Kal rather concerned “Where are you going?”
Lois starts to visibly age in front of his eyes “Clark I’m not really here.”
Kal reaches for her hand and grabs hold.
“Clark let go.” Lois says in a soft voice
Tears are rolling down his cheeks. “No.”
“Clark you don’t live here anymore. Stop living in the past.”
“I need you.” he pleads.
“Clark I’m always around.” her now wrinkled face has a smile and a glint in her eye. She points once more at his heart. “I’ll always be here. I go where you go. Let this place go. Let me go.”
Kal is torn. He understands her point about letting go, moving on but for some reason he can’t do it.
“Kal you need to wake up.”
Kal turns to the voice and on the balcony is “Diana?”
Diana has her hands on her hips and an annoyed look on her face “Yes and what are you doing still in bed? There’s work to do so get up or I’ll kick your butt.”
Kal is so taken aback he doesn’t realise he lets go of Lois’ hand. Lois smiles and fades away mouthing in silence “I will always love you Clark.”
Diana marches forward and grabs Kal’s hand virtually lifting him out the bed and into the brilliant sunlight pouring through the balcony.
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Kal’s eyes flutter open to find himself in a different bed. He finds Diana resting her head next to him, her hand holding his. He takes his other hand and smoothes her hair. By doing so he notices how his body aches and he groans slightly. He feels awfully weak.
Diana who had drifted off to sleep springs awake at Kal’s groan. “Kal you’re awake!” She leans forward and hugs him.
Kal grimaces “Easy Diana I’m still a bit tender.”
Diana lets go “Oh sorry. Gods Kal you’ve been driving me frantic with worry.”
Kal sits up. Oh god even doing that hurts “Sorry but you know I was poisoned, stabbed and got punched repeatedly by a god.” Kal studies Diana's face after remembering she took quite a beating as well. She a few faint bruises left. “Are you ok?”
Diana shakes her head. Is she ok? How does he manage to think of others first all the time? “Kal I’m fine.”
Kal can see the shadows under her eyes “You haven’t been sleeping.” It wasn’t a question.
“Someone had to take care of you.” she informs him.
“It didn’t have to be you. You were hurt too. You should have rested.”
Diana is away to protest but she yawns instead.
“See.” Clark states.
“Don’t get cocky or I’ll kick your butt.”
“You’re saying that a lot lately and in my present state you probably could actually.” Kal admits.
“What do you mean?” Diana asks with renewed concern.
“Diana don’t worry. Kryptonite drains me that’s all. I need to recharge my batteries.” Kal closes his eyes and feels the sunlight on his body. He opens them at the sound of another yawn from Diana. “Ok that’s it. Diana get some sleep or I’ll make you, kryptonite poisoning be damned.” He folds his arms across his chest and then wishes he hadn’t at the pain of doing so.
Diana narrows her eyes at him. He’s got that ‘he won’t take no for an answer’ look. She sighs in defeat “Fine. I will.” She stands up to leave.
“Where are you going?” Kal asks.
“To get some sleep.” she answers.
Kal snorts “Likely story. I know you, you’ll find something else to do before you're two steps out that door.” Kal slides over on the bed and then pats down the empty space “You sleep here where I can keep an eye on you.”
Diana raises her eyebrows “You can’t be serious. I am not a child. You can’t just order me where to sleep.”
“Diana it will make me happy if I know you're resting properly.”
Diana’s resolve is cracking but she’s not beaten yet “What about you?”
Kal points to the window “Sunlight is all I need.”
Ok she’s beaten. Diana lies herself down next to Kal and shuts her eyes. “Kal?”
“Yes Diana.”
“You said Lois’ name in your sleep. Were you having that dream again?”
“No Diana I had a different dream. I’ll tell you all about it once you’ve rested.”
“You promise.” Diana says half asleep already.
“I promise.”
Diana nods and drifts off. Kal once again closes his eyes and feels the sunlight on his body. He thinks about his dream. Was it a dream? He’s encountered a lot of strange things in his life and his dead wife visiting him wouldn’t even make the top 10. He then realises what he did. He let her go. Diana appeared and he let go of Lois’ hand. He searches his heart and notices the pain has faded. Not completely, it’ll probably never go away completely. A smile forms. God bless that stubborn, pig-headed woman. He opens his eyes and notices Diana has started to lean into him. He wraps his arms around her and she cuddles into him in response. She really is beautiful when she’s asleep he thinks. He looks up and at barely a whisper “You’re right Lois. Time to move on. Thank you.” Kal then closes his eyes and drifts back off to sleep.
Some time later Phillipus comes by to check on Diana worried at her lack of rest. She walks in the room to find her lying there leaning into Superman who has wrapped his arms around her. A small smile forms on her face and she leaves the two of them to get some rest.
