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Arrows flew through the air, his arm blurred shattering them all. He looked up as the red-haired woman leapt above him, coming down with a magic blade that they knew would cut him in his weakened state.

"You should have ignored the arrows," Artemis growled forcing him into an awkward angle. "You're now out of position for any counter attack because you dodged the arrows and the sword strike."

Clark grunted in pain as she slammed the hilt of the blade into his shoulder.

"Your skin, even with the rock in your watch, is strong enough to have shattered those arrows. You shouldn't have stayed still, that's the first step to getting yourself killed!"

Clark grunted as she swept out his legs, slamming him hard into the ground.

"You're distracted," Artemis said flatly. "Something is bothering you, you're usually not this bad."

"Always as blunt as a hammer," Clark did a back handspring and was back in a standing position. "The woman, Astoria Jul, something is off with her."

"You noticed it too," Artemis raised an eyebrow.

"No, besides the fact she decides to take one of her lowest designers and try and "help her career" and gives her first interview to a reporter who happens to be her friend?" Clark deadpanned. "I would have to be incredibly blind not to think something is up."

"At least you're starting to wise up," Artemis smirked. "Though you're still a rock-head."

Clark scowled. "Let's get to this. I feel like I need to train."

Artemis smiled. "Now you're talking my language, male. Show me your skill."

Clark slid his front foot out, placing all his weight towards his back leg. His hands were in knife-edge and his arms bent at the elbows. His eyes narrowed as he watched Artemis getting into a classic pankration grapple stance. He knew even though it was the stance that she showed, Artemis was capable of other styles of combat.

"Are you waiting for an invitation boy?"

He closed his eyes, inhaling sharply. He would not let this woman get to him. He heard a movement, twisted and caught her wrist. He twisted hard, sending her towards the ground, but she had broken his grasp and kicked him in the back. Doing a hand stand she flipped back as he stumbled forward.

"That kick would have sent you to the ground last week, you're starting to adapt to this stone," she said coming into a Kempo stance. "Do you have more?"

He nodded. "I will switch it out after this match."

"I still don't get why you wear these stones," Artemis said looking for her opening. Since he had been training in sword play he had taken to leaving openings to draw people in.

"Because in the end, I am still stronger than anyone else," Clark said simply. He dodged a knife hand strike to his throat. "I like the extra layer of control."

"You're a bad liar," Artemis whispered. "You're still having control problems, aren't you."

"And if I am?"

Artemis knew he still suffered burst where his control over his abilities went haywire, even with the control stones. The collection of alarm clocks was proof of that. Ever since his parents murder there had been erratic bouts of increased strength and power that often resulted in whatever he might be holding being torn apart.

"Then we will find a way to get you that control," Artemis said simply, chagrining him. He dodged her punch, caught her wrist and flipped her over his back. She brought her knee up and slammed it into his back. She pushed off his back and landed in a handstand and flipped back over into a fighting stance.

Clark spun around, sliding his leg through the rock. She was forced to dodge a large chuck of ground that he had kicked up at her.

"That's the way brat," she screamed, charging at him. "Use the world around you, pay attention to all of it and keep moving."

"Useful advice," Clark smirked. His punch met hers and the ground cracked under them.

"Let's take this up a notch, brat," Artemis said with a smile.

"Let's, old lady," he smiled back. Damn he missed these times with his teacher.

He had a large scar across his chest. To this day, Artemis had no idea how he had gotten it. It started at the shoulder blade and ended just above his navel. It was jagged and looked like someone had tried to rip him apart.

"You know, Clark," Artemis looked over. "You're the talk of the Embassy. Your argument with Diana is now the stuff of folklore."

Clark snorted. What she did not want to admit was that Amazons loved to gossip as much as people in the world of the Patriarch. No Amazon gossiped, she had drummed into his head more than once.

"She accused me of being Superman," Clark shrugged. It was no big surprise to him that he had ruffled a few feathers, he was at odds with her. A photographer had caught a picture of it and the entire world had been speculating what had been going on between him and the Princess and why he looked ready to try and fight the Goddess Blessed warrior.

He took a towel and started wiping down his brow and shoulders. Sparing with Artemis is always fun, and with the stronger rocks it always felt like he was actually being pushed. She was right though, he needed to replace the rock with one of the larger ones he had.

"So she thinks you're Superman, confronts you, and you all but went and confirmed it?" Artemis raised an eyebrow. This was part of the rock-headed mentality that she had tried to work out of him when he was teenager, but it figured he would be as stubborn as an Amazon.

"Honestly, I don't care," Clark tossed the towel down. The Cabal was all that he wanted, all that he cared about. People discovered who he was, so be it, he didn't intend to be Superman for the rest of his life anyways. It was a means to an end right now. "She saw me fly, fine. If she gets in my way, I will break her."

"You know her mother might have something to say about that," Artemis raised an eyebrow. It was hard not to notice the more aggressive stance that Clark had been taking lately. It wasn't something that she liked, because it could get him hurt. "You need to stop looking at this so narrowly. I know you think you don't have people to care for…"

"I know I do," he looked down at the ground. "I understand Artemis, but she is fishing for information. She wants to know where I stand, I have spurned the League for a long time now."

"Almost eight years," Artemis said. "You have to understand, it's hard not to look at you with pride as you do what you do. I know how hard it was for you to walk away when you first encountered the League."

"A lot of good it did them," Clark growled out. He remembered that one, it was the only Cabal member who he had caught who had gotten away from him. "They lost their Green Lantern. He is still in a coma from what I have heard."

Artemis nodded. "Alan is being treated by some of the best on the planet, but it is up to him to wake up."

"The purple ray didn't get used?"

Artemis shook her head. "It's still in debate in the Council. Several of the Bana don't want to use our healing techniques to save a male, and our princess is bound by their decision."

Clark smiled at her. This was where it got hard for him. Artemis, his teacher, his friend, always did her best to protect him, but sometimes it would mean she would have to go against her own people. "I am sorry for putting you in this position."

"It's one that I chose," she waved it off. "I have known since the moment we began training that I would not be able to openly show the pride most would in their student, but it doesn't mean I am not proud of what you have done. You just need to think more. What if information got out and someone went after Lana or Lane?"

"If anyone was dumb enough to use Lana, Lois, or even you against me," Clark's eyes narrowed. "If someone was that stupid, heaven wouldn't be able to save them from me. The Cabal has learned this, and if the rest of the world needs that object lesson, I will give it to them."

She smiled slightly at the hidden threat there. "So the Princess heard from your lips you are Superman, do you think she is going to give up trying to track you down?"

"Probably not," Clark shrugged. He didn't really care about it to think about it. She didn't matter to him right now. "She just needs to stay out of the path of the Cabal and we will be good."

"You know, you could use help with them," Artemis said taking a drink from her water jug. "They are many, you are one."

"You think the Amazon nation has a chance against the Cabal?" He looked at her. He gestured to the scar. He knew he had never told her about this one, but it was hard sometimes to admit he was as block-headed as she always told him. "You know how tough my skin is. Even a magic blade can't do this much damage, would you like to know what happened when I went against one of them?"

"I have asked," Artemis said immediately wishing that she hadn't. She knew it would not be pretty, he only kept things from her when it was proof of him being a block-head.

"I found one of them early on after college. You were away on a mission for your people, and me, being the cocky block-head that I am thought I would get information on one of them that I had found without proper planning. I was cocky and made a mistake, he made me from the moment I entered his building and had a blade laced with a black crystal. I thought nothing of it," he said looking down. He could already feel the darkened look from Artemis. "He caught me before I knew the mistake I had made and cut the entire length. He took his time with it, and seemed to enjoy it. He told me I needed this pain to learn my place in the world."

Artemis shuddered at that. Where had she been? Her friend had been gutted like a fish and she didn't know. That explained the caution with which he approached the Cabal and why he never asked for her help in dealing with them. If it was strong enough to do this to him when he had his powers fully out, what would it do to her?

"What happened to him?"

Clark looked at her. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

Artemis schooled her features though inwardly she didn't like that he had to kill. The one death that he had managed when the assassins attacked his adopted parents had left him broken up for weeks.

He was interrupted from saying anything else by a beep from his cellphone. Seriously, next time he needed to go out farther.

"Hey smallville. Good job on getting that story on Astoria Jul. Perry can't stop talking about you"

LL

Clark chuckled. Lois was probably seething that she didn't get this interview. It was more coveted than her usual gig with Luthor or the President.

He set his phone back down.

"Lane," Artemis said, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," Clark shrugged. "It looks like news of my interview with Jul has leaked out."

"And of course, she wants to introduce you to her daughter," Artemis laughed as his face faltered.

"Don't remind me," Clark groaned. "You know if I wanted to hook up with a beautiful woman I would have asked you to introduce me to an Amazon."

Artemis laughed. "Your personality would have had you two in a battle within minutes."

Clark chuckled. "Seriously, why does she seem determined to introduce me to her daughter? It doesn't make any sense."

"The only way to find out, is to go forward, Clark," Artemis said, slinging her bow across her back. "We should head back though, you don't want to be late for your 'interview'."

"Seriously, do you, Lana, and Zatanna compare notes," Clark pulled his spare t-shirt on. "Both of them have said the same thing to me."

His only reply was Artemis's laughter.

Cafeteria – Watch Tower

"Look at that!" Flash whistled as he ate, watching the news. "Seriously, I didn't think beauty like that existed in the mortal world."

"Yeah…she is something," Hal Jordan said simply. Kent walked down the carpet with Lyla Lerrol on his arm and her mother on the other side. The news's speculation of his relationship with the Jul woman had been the talk of even the biggest news networks for the last day. "Where the hell did this guy come from? As far as I knew, the only Kent in journalism was some beat writer for the Daily Planet."

"Kent?" Ollie asked looking up. "He's been a friend of Zatanna's for a while from what I gather. He was the one who wrote the first review of her show."

Everyone looked over at Zatanna who had come up from Metropolis earlier in the morning.

"What," she asked looking at all of them.

"Has Kent really been dating Astoria Jul?"

Zatanna busted out laughing. She almost slapped the table. "Seriously, you guys need to get a life. Gossip news is bad for your brains."

"So he isn't," the Flash asked hopefully.

"As far as I know his last relationship ended about a year ago," Zatanna shook her head. "And Flash, as a friend, I have to tell you, you don't have a chance with a woman like Astoria Jul."

Everyone laughed at that, even the Flash.

"Seriously, why is the news so focused on him? He told me he was there to cover for the Daily Planet and it turns out that one of his friends from High School works for one of Jul's fashion groups in Metropolis and got invited up there by her."

"That's not the type of gossip that's going around," Flash whispered to Green Lantern.

"It's not your usual thing to keep in touch with reporters," Dianh said to her friend. "Why him?"

"Seriously," she sighed. "I don't know. When I met him, my magic just felt pain. It was like he was hurting on the inside and for some reason I felt compelled."

Diana, who had just entered, heard that and understood. She had wanted to talk with J'onn about the woman, but he was still tied up so she wanted to try and talk with Zatanna alone.

"So "magic" told you to keep in touch with him," Hawkgirl said with a smirk. "You sure it's not because he is a rather attractive man?"

"Trust me," Zatanna said simply. "I might have thought he was attractive when we first met, but there are other things in life than how attractive someone is. I quickly learned magic was telling me the truth. He gets little sleep because of something that happened in his past, and it still seems to haunt him."

Diana had felt the same thing from him when they met. There was such rage that he contained.

"Anyways, we trade a couple of e-mails and phone calls, and we stop by a diner that he is good friends with when I am in Metropolis, that is about the extent of the relationship."

Diana was surprised. Zatanna was usually good at feeling out people with powers. She had honestly noticed nothing odd about him.

"Still doesn't explain with Astoria Jul gave him a kiss," Flash said looking back at the screen. Both women grasped his arm. "Seriously, it looks like her daughter wants a piece of him."

On screen Lyla Lerrol, adopted daughter of Astoria Jul and one of the most famous actresses on the planet, latched onto his arm and looked up at him adoringly. As if they had been dating for ages.

"Lyla Lerrol. Met her once, she didn't seem overly impressed by any of the men at the party," Ollie tossed back his drink and set it down on his tray. "She always came across as rather cold, so this is an odd display for her."

"Man you must go to some kick ass parties if you meet women like Lyla Lerrol," the Flash looked from the screen to him.

"Used too," Ollie admitted with a shrug. "Most of the time I can't stand the pretentious pricks who put these on. They remind me of Luthor."

Ollie picked up his and Dinah's tray who had finished a while ago. "I have some training to do."

Dianh and Ollie walked out of the door drawing everyone's attention to Diana.

"Afternoon, Princess," Flash offered with a smile. "How was the date?"

Diana didn't know how to respond to it. Last night was far from fun.

"You know, I still don't get what made Clark so upset with you," Zatanna offered. She would tear into Flash later. Most of the League knew that Diana had not been pleased with the "date". There was no reason to drag it up, even if you were joking. "Usually he's nice to everyone."

"He didn't seem all that friendly," Diana admitted, sitting down next to the younger woman.

"It's just the time of the year," Zatanna admitted. "I tried meeting him last year about the same time and Lois basically told me that if I didn't want to have my head ripped off it would be best to give him a wide berth."

"You sure she wasn't playing jealous girlfriend," Shayera asked, remembering she mentioned that they were dating at the time.

Zatanna shook her head. "This time she seemed really concerned about him. She even told me if she thought it would help she would tell me where to find him, but in the time that she had known Clark no one seemed to reach him during this time of year."

"Maybe he just gets moody," Flash offered.

"It's more than that," Zatanna admitted. "You know how I am with magic right? Ever since I met him, every year at this time, my magic goes a little crazy. It tells me that I should meet up with him, that I should try and talk with him, but he usually closes himself off. Last night was the most open I had seen him in a while."

Because, he had an avenue for that rage, Diana thought. That's why he was so open with his rage the other night.

"So why is he a journalist? If I remember his bio, he has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Astrophysics."

"You would have to ask him," Zatanna shrugged. "I know he is smart, I even got to play around with his computer once. He has a custom Operating System on it beyond anything I have seen, even on Watch Tower."

That got Diana's attention. Just how smart was he?

"A lot of people have custom Operating Systems," Hal pointed out. "Linux is popular among engineers."

"His isn't based on that," Zatanna said. "What?"

"You just admitted to knowing what Linux is," Hal shook his head. "I didn't think you were a computer geek growing up."

"I am not," Zatanna groused. It wasn't like she was stupid. "He explained it to me when I got to use it, but most of it still flew over my head."

"Why doesn't he try and market it," Diana asked.

"Don't know," Zatanna admitted. "You would have to ask him."

"That probably wouldn't be a good idea for me," Diana admitted. She had yet to tell anyone of the second encounter with the blonde woman. "He didn't seem to thrilled to meet me the other night."

Zatanna didn't say anything. She knew Clark was upset, he tried to hide it, but the man still held his emotions on his sleve.

"New sensation, Clark Kent, has been just escorted Ms. Lerrol and her mother Astoria Jul into the preview of her new motion picture "Star-Crossed". Surprisingly, given his heated exchange with Lois Lane the other day, Metropolis's very own Alexander Luthor has made an appearance."

"I know Jeanne, one would think after the exchange and the controversy that his announcement of reentering the weapons market brought that he would shy away from public events."

"Argh! That just made my day turn sour" Flash frowned as he turned off the TV.

"His obsession with Superman aside, he doesn't have a trail we can use to get one over on him," Hal admitted. "He seems to specifically target him, it's almost like someone is directing him."

It was the truth. Since Superman's appearance in Metropolis, almost all of Luthor's efforts seemed to be focused on the mysterious superhero, an obsession that none of the League understood, since he had worked against all of them before.

"He might have been in league with the guy that Superman stopped," Hal said darkly, trying not to think of the Green Lantern before him. One punch from that guy had nearly broken him in half. He was still in the hospital from the beating that he received.

Diana nodded. She still didn't understand how that man was so strong, he had broken a Power Ring shield from the force of his blows. Alan was still in the hospital from the beating that he had received. Only her arrival had driven the man off before he had killed Alan. The ring chose Hal not long after as his successor while Alan was out of commission.

"Superman beat the hell out of that guy," Flash said darkly. "He had him down for the count and somehow he comes back three hours later and beats the hell out of the Green Lantern. How is that possible?"

"I wish I could tell you," Diana said softly. "When we arrived in the city he was on the ropes and by the time he was in the detention facility he snapped his restraints like they weren't there and broke a Power Ring Shield. Alan tried to tell me something, but he was delirious from the beating and fell into the coma not long afterwards."

Everyone was silent at that. Alan Scott was respected, he was considered the most fearless member of the League. His sudden departure was a sobering moment for the League. He was still technically alive, but there was no way to know when he would wake from the trauma that he had suffered.

"It gives us a good idea of how strong Superman is though," Flash pointed out. "This guy was strong enough to take out the Green Lantern on his own and Superman manhandled him."

"True," Diana admitted. "Zatanna, I was hoping that I could talk with you in private."

The younger woman nodded, half expecting this after the argument with Clark made the late night news. "I was finished here anyways, so I am free."

"Thank you," Diana said standing and following the younger woman.

"What's that about," the Flash asked, looking towards Hal.

"Not sure," Hal shrugged. "But I think her encounter with Mr. Kent affected her more than the Princess wants to admit."

Watchtower

"So, what's up Diana?" Zatanna asked as they came to an empty conference room.

"How long have you know, Clark Kent was Superman," she said simply.

"What makes you think, he is Superman," Zatanna asked cautiously.

"You're too good, your magic too strong for you not to feel the changes," Diana said narrowing her eyes. "He also told me as much."

With a wave of her hand a cone of white surrounded the two of them. Diana looked around and then looked back at Zatanna.

"This is a silence field," Zatanna said looking her in the eyes. This was not a Zatanna that Diana was used too, she looked like she was ready to battle right now. "I use it when I don't want the risk of anyone discovering what I talk about. I ask again, why do you want to know?"

Diana found herself actually unnerved by the sudden shift in her personality. Had Zatanna and Clark Kent really become that close over the years?

"I made a mistake…" Diana admitted. "I had my Amazons watching Metropolis for him and when they saw someone flying from the city I was called and followed."

"Oh shit," Zatanna said softly. "That's why he was so angry with you?"

Diana nodded.

"You're lucky," Zatanna admitted. "One year someone decided to do something when he was headed out according to Lois. Superman nearly killed the man and ended up ripping apart an assault vehicle that this mobster had somehow bought. He is far from kind when people bother him this time of year."

"Why?" Diana asked suddenly curious. Of course she had heard about the mobster that had made a mistake and attacked downtown Metropolis. The reports of Superman's response were nothing short of frightening. A lot of commentators began coming out against him after his demonstrated lack of discretion. A skyscraper that had been evacuated during the rampage had been the casualty of Superman's rage.

Eight years. Eight years he had been on the scene and still none of them were any closer to him.

"Loss," Zatanna said simply. "He lost something valuable around this time, years ago, and it still haunts him. I have tried scrying to see what happened, but the magic refuses to show me. It wants him to tell me."

Diana nodded. Even the Oracles were at the mercy of what the Gods chose to show them. "So his anger increases this time of year."

Zatanna nodded. "I knew he had powers, I knew when Superman started appearing that he was Clark Kent, but I chose to say nothing. I didn't want to force him away. He does it with his oldest friends and I didn't want to be cut out. He is a good man, a good friend, and I don't have many of those."

"You're a lot more perceptive than people give you credit for," Diana admitted. "Has there ever been a blonde woman in his life?"

"Until Astoria Jul, no," Zatanna said. "He mostly keeps to himself, Lois actually told me that I was lucky that he replied at all. He thought that the e-mail was a joke on my part and almost deleted it."

Diana noted the slight smile that Zatanna had. "You think of him as your brother."

Zatanna nodded. "He actually threatened on guy that was stalking me. I was more than capable of taking care of myself, but he slammed the guy against a wall so hard I thought it would collapse and then he said that if he caught him around his "sister" again that he would break his spine so he could not do so again."

Zatanna looked down. "I didn't like how quickly he resorted to violence and told him. His response was that no one threatened his sister. That moment I knew this was why the magic brought me too him."

Diana smiled. "I understand the need. My sisters are a great source of joy and help in my life."

Zatanna nodded thankfully. "I have never pushed him on it, but I have always suspected that he is something more."

Diana nodded. "I understand."

"Diana," Zatanna's eyes narrowed and regained their edge. "Just don't hurt him."

Zatanna turned and walked away. Diana was amazed, she swore she heard a threat in Zatanna's voice as she warned her not to hurt Clark. Did he really inspire such loyalty from even members of the League?

"You look troubled," J'onn said appearing in the room.

"Did you?"

He shook his head. "Zatanna's silence cone is absolute when she wants it to be. Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I am just amazed. Zatanna seems almost protective of him."

"She considers him family," J'onn shrugged. "I don't completely understand social conventions amongst humans."

"Alan, before he was hurt, was whispering something, Krypt…" Diana looked at him. "Are you aware of any race that might fit that?"

"There is only one," J'onn said softly. "The Krypotnians, but the entire race died out when their star went Nova about thirty years back."

"Do you think he might have been fighting a Kryptonian?"

"I don't know it is possible," J'onn admitted. "They had ample warning but the society was so xenophobic that they did not act."

Diana could not imagine letting their entire people die. Even the Amazons had contingency plans in place should their island ever be attacked again.

"It was a shock, considering that they were among some of the finest builders in the galaxy," J'onn admitted. "They had ships that were capable of intergalactic travel, but all of them were in system when their star went nova. It wiped all life off the face of the planet and destroyed all of the ships."

"That is insane," Diana admitted. She had never heard of destruction on this scale before.

"It happens," J'onn admitted. "The universe is a very unforgiving place, and they tempted fate by not heading the warnings of others."

"What do you think of Superman," Diana asked.

"He is focused, driven, and a little angry," J'onn admitted. "I sometimes think we should have let him deal with the man who hurt Alan."

"We can't do that J'onn," Diana said softly. She had been afraid herself when she saw the man swinging the wrecking ball like it was a mace. He slammed it hundreds of times into the man and left him a heap on the ground.

"Sometimes, Diana, we have to. We have never run across it yet, but would you let others stay in danger to give someone who has no regard for those people a chance at redemption?"

J'onn looked at the pad he had brought with him. "We have a meeting in a little bit, Diana. We should get ready."

She nodded and walked with him from the room.

Metropolis Theater - Car park (Before Movie Showing)

Clark hated Lana's car sometimes. It was so small to him.

"You know right, that you didn't have to drive her car," Astoria said, approaching him. Lana was already working at one of her fashion houses waiting for the move to the Paris office so she couldn't join them today. Clark had groaned when she told him that.

"You were waiting for me," he said in surprise.

She nodded. "My daughter had to get here early, so I figured I would wait for you."

Clark shook his head. He always got such an uneasy feeling in his stomach whenever he was around her.

He stopped though as he smelt a familiar scent. Incredible, he looked over to the shadows and saw a hint of red.

"Seriously, Artemis," he whispered, looking up. "Where is Miss Lerrol?"

"She'll be here in a bit," Astoria smiled. "She saw what I did last night and thought we could spoof them more. She wants you to escort both of us into the primer."

He groaned lightly. This was going to make his life so much easier at work, especially with the rumors running rampant that he had been "banging" Astoria without anyone knowing.

"Oh come now, Mr. Kent," Astoria smiled slightly. "I am sure you are strong enough to handle it."

"You know mother," a soft voice called out. "You really shouldn't wander off when we're trying to set everything up."

"It's fine, Lyla," Astoria turned and smiled at her daughter.

Clark watched her approach and had to admit she was stunning. He didn't watch many movies, so he had never actually seen Lyla Lerrol. She was about five seven, with long blonde hair done in an attractive bun. Full lips, a slight tan, pulled back slightly into a brilliant smile that left him amazed.

"Mr. Kent," Lyla said with a brightness that told him she was actually pleased to meet him. "My mother told me she invited you to the mayhem yesterday, so I thought we should meet beforehand. Especially since I want to cause more rumors."

"You and your mother like causing trouble," Clark groaned lightly.

"Of course," Lyla's heels clicked against the ground as she walked closer. He caught bright blue eyes for the first time. "If we can't cause trouble, how will we know if we're having fun?"

Watchtower

Bruce knew that something was up, the way Diana was reacting told him that there was more to Clark Kent than just a reporter with a stick up his ass. The anger at Diana made no sense to him though. What had she done that made him act like he wanted to try and break her apart?

He heard the door open and heard the distinctive steps of Diana as she entered the room.

"Bruce," Diana said with a smile, leaning in and kissing his cheek. "How are things?"

"I got a call from Lois Lane again last night," Bruce said with a growl. He still couldn't believe that this had happened to him of all people. "She told me in no uncertain terms that if I didn't back off she would expose me."

That made Diana pause. She had concrete proof that Bruce was the Batman? "She actually has tangible proof?"

"Someone got it to her," Bruce growled out in frustration. "It was a trace through the separate companies that supply parts for Watchtower and for my own vehicles. She even made an order for the parts and was told that only Bruce Wayne could buy those parts."

"This is…a surprise," Diana said sitting next to him. "Are you able to find out the employee that told her you order these parts exclusively?"

"That's the problem," Bruce said. He flipped a switch and something appeared on the screen. "The woman who she spoke to, who is in the picture, is not on my employment records."

Diana stared in surprise. It was her…but how.

"If you harm him, I will destroy you," the blonde woman's voice echoed in her mind. She blinked as she noticed Bruce looking at her.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded. "It's just…I don't know…she feels familiar for some reason."

Bruce nodded. "I thought I saw her the other night at Zatanna's show, but every time I thought I had a good line of sight, she was gone."

"Checking out other women, on our date, Bruce?" Diana leaned back and watched him choke on the air.

"No, it's just…"

Diana laughed lightly. "Bruce, I am just teasing I believe is the term, I am just teasing you."

Bruce groaned lightly, but chuckled none the less. "Thank you Diana, today has been a long day."

"I figured as much." Diana said plainly. It wasn't every day that someone in his ranks exposed him to the world.

"Why was he so angry with you?" Bruce looked at her, motioning to Kent on screen. "It was not normal, and as far as I know he had never met you before that."

"I…I made a mistake with him," Diana said. She wasn't ready to admit yet that he had all but confirmed to her he was Superman. She needed more time, she needed more facts. "I had him watched by the Amazons after what you told me, and they caught him heading to Smallville. I followed and intruded on something private."

"Just great," Bruce growled out. "Lois Lane has effectively cut me off, and if we go after him now that he is attached to the Jul Family we could face a PR nightmare. Even if we had him waltzing around in a Superman suit while singing I am little teapot it wouldn't stick."

Diana nodded. Lois Lane had effectively beaten them before they even realized that they were on the right course.

"This is just insane," Bruce growled out. He slammed his fist against the console. "We just got played into a position that they wanted. We can't go after him without putting the League, our identities, and PR we need at stake."

Diana nodded. "It seems it was crafted by someone to be so."

"Damn it," Bruce swore looking back at Diana. "Sorry, it's just been a frustrating morning. Lane's call shook me a lot and I had to contact Dick and the others to let them know to be careful."

Diana could understand that. Bruce guarded his identity and those he protected religiously, and suddenly having it exposed must have him doubting himself.

"What are you going to do?" Diana asked after a moment of silence.

"What can I do?" Bruce shrugged. "If I keep pushing, Lois Lane will expose me. If I do nothing, I have to hope to god that Superman is not out to kill us all."

Diana new how hard this was for him, Bruce hated. "I will pull back my Amazons as well. We should not risk exposure of the members over something like this."

Bruce smiled weakly. "Do you mind if we reschedule our date tonight?"

Diana didn't mind. She had a lot to think about. "That's fine, tomorrow night then?"

Bruce nodded. "I am sorry, Diana."

"It's alright, Bruce," Diana admitted.

Diana looked over at him. "It's fine, Bruce. Things seem to not add up around Clark Kent. Before yesterday, were you aware that he and Zatanna were friends?"

Bruce shook his head. "It's like he is Superman and the people who help him are moving to stop us."

Diana knew he was, but right now there was too much to spout off. Clark Kent had already demonstrated that he was not afraid to resort to violence, and the warrior he had beaten had torn apart one of their strongest after only a few hours.

"I wish we knew for sure," Bruce groaned lightly, looking from the screen to Diana again. Eight years they had tried to convince him to join their ranks. For eight years they had watched through iron will that Metropolis became one of the safest places in the country to live. It was to the point that most criminal groups that he knew of had a warning to stay away from the city. "Do you think Superman would attack if we put a team in the city?"

Diana shook her head. "I am not sure if it's a good idea for me to make my presence known in Metropolis except for events we sponsor. If Kent is Superman as you suggest, he might not have a variable reaction to me being there."

Bruce knew it was true. Kent's reaction at the party and afterwards was proof enough that he was not on friend terms with the Princess of the Amazons. "Think you can keep a low profile?"

"Give me Hal and a few others that don't have high profile jobs," Diana shrugged. "We might be able to pull it off, but Zatanna would have to be kept out of the loop."

"Security risk?"

"No," Diana shook her head firmly no. "I think she would never expose anything intentionally, but if she were part of the group and Kent found out."

"I see," Bruce nodded thinking it through. "We should send J'onn, Hal, and Wally. They will be able to blend in easiest."

"Do you still think he has an Amazon teaching him?" Bruce watched as Clark Kent took the press that he normal was a part of in stride with Lyla Lerrol hanging off his arm.

Diana nodded. "I have reviewed fights, and I have seen more moments where he slips into Amazon fighting forms, but it's hidden. He has several eastern styles on top of it, as well as a style I have not seen before now."

"Could you match him if it came to hand to hand?"

Diana thought about it. Considering the strength hand speed he had shown so far.

"Assuming there is nothing that he is hiding, probably," Diana said, not as sure as her voice sounded. "But I can tell you that I would have been hard pressed to survive what Alan went through. So it lends us to believe that if Kent is Superman, he is stronger than the man that attacked Alan. That makes a prolonged fight nearly impossible."

Bruce nodded, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. Out of all of them, J'onn and Diana were their two strongest members, and if Superman was stronger than them…

"I still don't get why these things are that popular," Diana said looking at the screen, referring to the movie showing.

"Because, it's how people are," Bruce said simply. "Popularity is based on image and PR. It's why we had the event the other night, and in the end that same image will draw more people."

Diana looked surprised at the idea. "That sounds so backwards."

"In the end, that's Hollywood," Bruce said looking at the screen.

Inside the theater

The box was cleaner than he remembered, seemed like Astoria had put extra people to put the suite up to her standards. Standing around, enjoying flutes of champagne were various power players from Hollywood. He felt so out of place.

"It's alright Clark," Lyla said from his side. "It's always overwheleming the first time."

Clark smiled at her. "Thanks, I just feel out of place. Most of the time, I am not invited to these parties."

Lyla laughed softly. "They're really not that interesting. For the most part, it's a bad as if you were in a tabloid, people share rumors like you would not believe."

Clark looked back out. "What made you want to be an actress?"

Lyla looked at him. "Looking for an extra interview?"

Clark shook his head. "Just wanting to get to know you."

Lyla seemed too pleased with herself. The hairs on the back of his neck rose slightly. "I kind of fell into it, one play and I was hooked. My career after that play just kind of took off."

"To be honest, I have never been to one of your movies. This is the first one."

Lyla looked shocked. "I have saturation in all markets. How have you never seen one of my movies?"

"I live in a cave," Clark laughed slightly. "Most of college I spent working on a computer system and studying stellar phenomena."

"Two very divergent subjects," Lyla said. "So you're telling me you were a geek in college?"

He nodded. "Probably still am. I only fell into journalism as a way to make ends meet. I have written for a couple papers, and have thought of trying to make the jump to TV with the way things are going."

"Why not your chosen fields?"

"Never felt right," Clark admitted. "I mean I am good at what I do, but they are just hobbies for me. They are not something that I could have seen myself doing for the rest of my life."

Something was bothering him. He knew that he shouldn't be revealing so much to her, but something about her presence was compelling.

"It's a shame," Lyla said, leaning back in her chair and stretching her long legs out. "You should do what you love."

"Sometimes what you love, has to take a back seat to what needs to be done," Clark said simply. "How did you end up getting into acting?"

"It was something I picked up hanging around my mother," Lyla looked at him. "I found I had a passion for it, and decided to give it everything."

Considering her career, it must have been an incredible experience with her mother, Clark thought. "So what's this movie about?"

"Star-Crossed is an old legend," Lyla said, looking back at the screen. "There were once two Families, destined to hate one another from the moment they left their mother's womb."

"Romeo and Juliet," he looked at her.

"No, but it's based off the same story that Romeo and Juliet was. The main change for Star-Crossed left us with a happy ending," Lyla shook her head. "The director thought it would be more "artistic" if there was one."

"So essentially two and a half hours of nothing?" Clark raised an eyebrow.

Lyla laughed. "I wouldn't say that, but you take what you can get in this day and age. I like making movies and I thought the protagonists sacrifice at the end was a poignant scene."

Clark made a mental note to use that line for his review. Since he was coming at Astoria's invitation, Perry decided that it would be a good idea to get a review piece for the new film done at the same time. It was convient how things worked out for his boss.

"You don't watch many movies, do you," Lyla asked.

He shook his head. "Most of my life has been devoted to training, I just do my best to make sure that my parents are proud of me."

"I am sure that they are, Clark," Lyla said with a smile. The movie was over and it was time for her to make an appearance. "So you ready for the After-Party?"

Clark had to admit he was not as tired as he expected to be. "I guess we shall have to make an appearance."

"You got the idea," she laughed lightly

Back Room

"Target is almost in position," a hooded man said, looking at his watch.

"Remember, no kill shots," the second of the five men said. "Our orders are clear."

"Why are we listening to this, bitch?" the third asked.

"Because she pays well," the last of them snapped. "Remember, if he isn't able, take Lerrol and see if he follows, these are our orders.

"Remember, he is not like us, we are only to gage and then retreat," the only one who had not spoken said.

After Party

The after-party was a lot like the one after Zatanna's show the night before. Food and drink that was either too small or too high in alcoholic content flowed freely, and he was left with the feeling of being a sardine in a can the way people crowded around the star of the movie.

He should have expected this, really he should have. He still had a lead on the Cabal that he had to follow up on too, but it had been pushed back another day.

"It's almost over with, Clark," Lyla whispered to him. "Thank you for being here with me."

"No problem," Clark said with a forced smile as a camera flashed in front of them. "Sleep is for the weak they say."

Lyla smiled. "That's the spirit. It's almost done."

"Miss Lerrol," someone shouted. "Over here Miss Lerrol!"

Lyla and Clark both looked over and watched the man pull out a small pistol in one smooth motion and begin to fire.

Screams erupted, people rolled out of the way and Clark pushed Lyla out of the path of fire. He crouched down and rolled forward, coming up in the man's guard before he could shift. Clark grabbed snapped his wrist with one swift strike and twisted the gun free and threw it to the floor.

"Wrong move," he hissed, grabbing the man by the collar and twisting him over his back, into the buffet table that had been set up.

"Clark!" Lyla's panicked voice called out. He looked over to see two masked men trying to grab her.

With one quick motion a platter that had been on the ground was on one shoe. With a quick flip of his leg the platter was almost at face level. His eyes narrowed, grabbing the platter from mid-air, twisting his entire body and sending the platter towards one of the men who took it in the throat. He gasped in pain as Clark moved through the panicked crowed and slammed a fist into his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.

His partner tried to attack him from behind only to be hit in the gut with an elbow and slammed onto the ground on top of his partner. He heard a grunt of pain from both. When he felt a silencer at the base of his skull.

"Nice try, hero," a voice mocked. "You should have just stayed out of the way."

"Yeah," Clark let go a bit of his control and moved before the man could pull the trigger. He grabbed his hand, twisting, breaking several of the bones in it. "You should've given up the job."

He kicked the man in the sternum sending him to the ground. He saw one man standing back, looking absolutely terrified if his posture was right.

"Running, might be a good idea," Clark said darkly. He took one step, another, and before the man knew what to think, he was inside of his guard, in his face, with fury in his eyes. "Too late."

Clark slammed a palm into his chest causing the man to stagger. He swept his legs out and then stepped on the ankle until he heard a crack. The man screamed.

Clark looked back at Lyla, who was breathing heavily. She looked absolutely stunned.

"Clark," she whispered. "How?"

"A lot of training," he stepped over to her and helped her up. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, still breathing heavily. "Thank you."

She hugged him tightly, her eyes opening in shock as a thin black blade lodged in Clark's arm from one of the men who had managed to get up. Cringing, Clark let go of her, and slammed his palm into the man's temple sending him to the ground. He grunted, pulling out the black blade slowly. As he pulled it out he noticed the same crystals in the blade as the one that had nearly gutted him all those years before.

The Cabal.

"Clark," she screamed, helping him down as he dropped the knife. "Are you alright?"

He nodded, feeling a hint of pain moving up his arm. Had they poisoned him?

Lyla looked around and then tore off part of her dress. She wrapped it around his arm as tightly as she could.

"Why did you do that?"

"Why wouldn't I," he asked, feeling a surge as his body tried to counter whatever was on the blade.

"You fool," she said fondly. "You silly, heroic, fool."

It was then that she kissed him, and he lost himself.

Lex Luthor watched from the edges, half expecting the man to pull off his shirt and expose his red and gold chest.

"He is rather good," Lex said simply.

"We had to be sure," a man with sun glasses said. "We had to know that he was ready."

"Was there any posion on the blade?"

"A mild toxin, it shouldn't be too troublesome for him to overcome," the man turned and started to follow the crowds out. "We'll be seeing you Alexander."

Lex looked back and smirked at the man. Chess was always so much better when playing a true master.

Watchtower

"Stunning footage has surfaced from the after-party of the latest Lyla Lerrol movie release"

On the screen, both Bruce and Diana watched as Clark Kent battled with assailants. They had turned down the volume after the introduction so they could watch the fight itself and not needless commentary.

"He's good," Bruce said simply.

"Better than I expected," Diana saw more stances, more footwork, but it was different somehow. "Do we have any word on why?"

"None yet," Bruce said looking at the screen. "I count three different styles in his fighting style, and he is strong. A lot stronger than your average farm boy should be."

Diana had admitted that she half expected a display of super strength, but every move, every action looked like something that someone who had trained a long time would be capable of. He was very good at masking his powers from the world.

"Let's get a team down there," Bruce said. "We need to know what's going on and why someone is targeting Lerrol."

Diana nodded and went to assemble the others.

"Diana," Bruce called out.

"Yes," she looked back.

"We will get this date in," Bruce smiled. "I promise."

She nodded and walked out.

Apartment of Clark Kent

"So you think…"

Clark nodded. "I think they're connected to the Cabal somehow. The blade was laced with the same crystals"

"This gets worse by the moment, as far as I have been able to find they are normal humans," Artemis said looking at the report she had brought with her. "Their records are complete, even down to birth certificates for Astoria and Lyla. How is the arm?"

"It's healing," Clark admitted. "There was a poison on the blade, but it wasn't strong enough to do any real damage to my body."

"You may have to stop wearing the watch," Artemis said looking at the news. "If you had been at full power that would never have gotten through your skin."

He nodded. "I am just going to have to work at control."

Artemis nodded. "This is getting stranger and stranger Clark. We need to be careful, this is sure to draw the attention of the League."

Clark nodded and leaned back. Artemis had the spare room in his apartment and had gone to sleep herself.

"Artemis," he said before she could close the door.

"Yes," she looked back at him.

"Thank you," he smiled lightly and leaned back closing his eyes.

"You're welcome, brat," Artemis closed the door. They had struck at hers, and she would make sure that they paid with blood.

Author Note: Here was the new chapter, a thank you to lostindreams081981 for the editing and the help. I hope you enjoyed this story so far and thank you all that reviewed. It was a great boost to know people liked this story.

Awriterofstories: I'm glad you like this version of Superman and I agree with you fully. I cannot spoil you yet about the Cabal you will know who they are exactly soon.

Marshallana: Thank you for liking this story so far and I hope I keep your interest. I will try to keep Diana and Superman's character right no matter how difficult. Those two heroes have a very complex character to them after all. That's what makes them great.

DarkseidAlex: Thank you for the review, I'm glad you like my work I won't disappoint.

Warden Valdr: Glad you like it as well. I like Justice League I started writing because I didn't like the cartoons very much. Seriously Diana acts like a Xena wannabe all brute and no wisdom which she is known for, she was blessed by Athena after all. Sorry but her character is all wrong I know it's a kid's show but I watch it and I'm 22 (I was 17 then :p). Anyway if you want to pair Diana up with Bruce then dont dumb her down. It's the fact that they have to dumb her down to get her with Batman. The same with Superman he's like one of those high school jocks. I just want to say, if you make a cartoon then try stick to the comics that's all. Anyway that's my opinion and people have theirs ;)

Thanks for reading everyone and I hope you keep at it.

Take care.