So Much More

Ch.1- That's What Friends are For

Metropolis, Kansas, Longitude 102 Degrees 38'West, 253 Degrees North…..

"It's as I've been telling you, Kal. Lois is not a needy woman by any means. However, they may arise times when she needs affirmation from you that she is enough."

Kal-El of Krypton was gifted with one of the most analytical minds known to the universe. However, he had absolutely no idea where his best friend was going with this.

"Enough? Diana, what are you talking about?"

Floating high above the clouds, Diana, Princess of Themyscira, known to the world at large as Wonder Woman, counseled her dearest friend, the man known to some as Clark Kent, to most as Superman, but to her, simply Kal. They fought countless battles, protecting each other as well as their comrades in the Justice League. However, it was moments like this that reminded her of how vulnerable and clueless her friend could be. Diana let out a less than regal chortle at the question her best friend posed. She gave a slight shake of her head as if to say, how is it that a man the Gods themselves cannot even rival be so dense?

She turned to face him mid-flight, her arresting azure eyes giving him pause, "Kal, have you ever thought about how Lois feels when she knows you're off saving the world with some of the universe's most beautiful females?" She continued when he made no effort to respond. Softening her approach, "Each and every one of us in the League knows of your utter devotion and loyalty to Lois and she does as well. However, every woman likes to hear her man tell her she has absolutely nothing to worry about."

"But Lois knows I'd never do anything to hurt her…that I treasure our relationship," he protested, his eyes becoming somber in his frustration.

Kal's shoulders drooped and he hung his head low, a spirit of morose coming over him. She gently took his hand, forcing him to look her in her eyes. She couldn't help but feel some relief to see him regain some of his usual confidence, seemingly drawing from her strength.

Staring into his impossibly cerulean orbs, she began, "Kal, in all of the time we've known each other, our friendship has been an enigma at best to others, but more than that, it has been a constant reminder to Lois that you are not of this world." She continued even as he began to protest, "I know it is true. She and I have discussed such before. Even though Lois trusts you implicitly—and myself to a certain degree, I think—it is still a source of worry for her."

Kal let out a sound of disgust, disengaging his hand and turning away from Diana.

"You think I don't know this Diana? God, I get so sick of having to defend our friendship to Lois, Bruce, heck, even the whole world."

"And you shouldn't have to," she seamlessly wove into the conversation.

He continued on as if it was the most natural thing in the world, "So what am I to do? End our friendship to ease her mind?"

She said nothing, simply allowing him to work this out for himself. Watching him, she thought back to those first years in Patriarch's World, when she was so steadfastly entrenched in her Amazonian ways that his advances upon her solidified her desire to keep things between them strictly professional. She refused to be some lovelorn Amazon, distracted from her mission by a male, no matter how magnificent he was. And he was supremely magnificent, even to the Princess of the Amazons. Diana had always been eons above her Amazonian teachings; believing that not all men were inherently evil and that as the Champion of Olympus and Themyscira, it was as much her duty to make her sisters realize this fact as much as it was to bring teachings of peace to the world at large.

Upon first meeting Kal-El of Krypton some ten years ago, Diana recognized he was a symbol of hope and his beliefs were not so different from her own, even though there methodologies were worlds apart. Whereas she was a diplomat and could reason with the best of foes, she was first and foremost a warrior. She would first use diplomacy in even the direst of circumstances, however, her temper would often get the best of her and the warrior would surface when things proved…difficult. That is not to say she was some hotheaded feminist. She could admit her faults and that was one she'd been working on since her youth.

Kal, on the other hand, was always in control and sought to inspire the world through compassion. He was a firm advocate of redemption and offered it every chance he got, even when it was not deserved. Although she herself possessed the patience of a saint, Diana had hoped that some of his world renowned patience would rub off on her, but no such luck to date. Then again, that is perhaps why they work.

They sought each other out even then; desperate to make contact with another who possessed talents and gifts like their own. It was never intentional but rather an unconscious act that neither can remember purposely doing. It was these shared fundamentals and their enigmatic friendships with Batman and the Green Arrow that led to the formation of the Justice League eight years ago. They were affectionately known as The Trinity amongst Justice Leaguers. The Green Arrow preferred to only be known as the invisible fourth founder; each a separate but equal piece in the fight against evil and injustice; each with a different approach.

A nostalgic smile crept upon her lips as she remembered the constant battles they all had with Batman, trying to get him to see the practicality of having a unified league of heroes to help the world.

"Batman, the Green Arrow makes a valid point. Everyone knows we are strongest when combined and-"Superman began.

"What better symbol of unity, strength, and power would it send to our foes to know that we have aligned ourselves and ready to take them on at a moment's notice?" Diana smoothly picked up his train of thought.

Oliver Queen, aka the Green Arrow, simply shook his head. Although they had only met and spoken a handful of times, it was always this way with Superman and Wonder Woman, finishing each other's sentences and thoughts. Although he had to admit it was impressive in battle, as they fought like one synchronized machine, compensating for the other's weaknesses.

"Look, Bruce, we have done this dance to death. Yes, we know your number one priority is Gotham and will always be Gotham, but you have to admit this entire world—hell, the whole universe—is tipping away from the side of good. A unified team of superheroes is needed, man. "

Long gone were the days of anonymity between Oliver and Bruce. Although, it still baffled Bruce as to how Oliver figured out he was Batman. He easily figured out Oliver's secret and was none too pleased to find that Oliver had discovered his own only a few days later. Pissed would be the more correct term to describe it.

Bruce's voice was gruff behind the cowl, "You guys aren't going to let this go, are you?"

"One would think if we were, we would have done so two years ago when you turned us down for, oh, the two hundredth time," Kal-El deadpanned.

The corners of Diana's mouth upturned as she heard the sarcasm in Kal's voice. "Bruce, we have somewhat unlimited resources between Oliver and the assets of the Themyscira Embassy…"

"But, we would not object to a little funding from Wayne Enterprises, either," Oliver interjected. Diana always offered their resources without feeling the need to include Bruce, a very wealthy man in his own regard. Diana smiled at this.

"You know how much you want to get your hands on my Kryptonian technology to improve your toys and gadgets. Plus, it'll give you a chance to keep an eye on some of the more liberal heroes out there" Kal added, daring Bruce to disagree.

Bruce paced the floor of his Batcave, his face giving away nothing in the way of his emotions. Finally, he turned to them all with what could only be described as a sneer, although Oliver contends it was what his coined a 'Bat-smile, minus the teeth'. Exhaling a long breath, Bruce responded, "Ah, what the hell? Let's do it."

"Well, Diana? What do you think?"

Diana angled her head slightly as she regarded her friend, not at all surprised to find she knew exactly what he was inquiring about even though she had momentarily detached herself from their conversation.

She responded calmly, a bit or mirth in her voice, "No, Kal. We do not end our friendship. We continue as we always have, although I would advise you to pick up some flowers—I recommend Daisies— maybe some of those chocolates she loves from Paris, and go to her and remind her how much you love her. Then I suggest you continue to do so tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that."

He always marveled at how at ease Diana was when discussing Lois with him, even on the rare occasions it veered into the 'TMI' category.

"Thanks, Diana. As always, you help me see reason when I get too wrapped up in my own head."

"That's what friends are for, is it not? Now, go forth and do as I say, minion." She joked, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze, recognizing this would be the end of the conversation.

He grinned, recognizing her joke, "As you command, Princess."

As they prepared to fly off their separate ways; he to Metropolis and she to Boston, Kal stopped short.

"Diana? Why Daisies?"

Looking over her shoulder, she smiled at her friend, "That's one you'll have to research for yourself. How super would you be if I gave you all the answers, Kal?"