Disclaimer

The characters used in this story are owned by DC comics and Warner bros. I have used them in this story which is entirely a product of my own imagination

Retrospection

Remind him to thank me!

Diana seemed to understand!

-

Three days later – in the watch tower:

"I cannot thank you enough!" Diana said warmly.

"I want to hear it from him!" Superman said, sipping his cup of coffee, "And he seems to avoid me!"

"He's had a hard time, Clarke!" Diana smiled, "Give him a break!"

"Tell me about it!" Superman said sardonically, "If anyone out here deserves a break, it's me! I was playing the single parent!"

"I'm sure that is something you'd brag about!" said a voice from behind. Superman did not turn around. He simply smiled at Diana, who couldn't seem to take her eyes off the speaker.

It was Bruce, not Batman! He was wearing a tux, for they were doing a dress rehearsal for Clarke's wedding. He was to be Lois' best man, of course!

"Well at least I have something to pull your legs about! I really don't understand your fascination for blue, Superman and Snickers!" Superman said, as he pulled a chair for Bruce.

Bruce seemed to blush a bit, but recovered soon enough to play his card. "You forgot Fred Flintstones!"

Superman became self-conscious as he recollected that incident. "I know…that was really stupid!" he nodded.

Diana looked confused. "Seems like you boys had some serious fun!"

Bruce and Clarke looked at each other and smiled.

"Care to fill me in, then?" Diana smirked.

They looked at each other again and independently shook heads. Not a chance

"Hey Di! Come on over! We're selecting the wedding dress for Lois!" Hawk Girl called out.

Diana looked at the two men and smiled. "Excuse me, gentlemen!" she said sardonically, "But you're not off the hook! I'll get it from you!"

The men could only smile, as Diana left.

"So, you remember everything?" Clarke asked.

Bruce simply nodded.

Silence prevailed for a while.

"You know, Clarke…" Bruce took a deep breath. He tried to say something, but decided against it. He seemed to have changed his plans. "You are sharper than I thought!" he said.

Clarke smiled within himself. "Well, I guess I am!" he said, and waited for Bruce to catch on.

Bruce was quick enough. "Did you know that it would've been fatal if you had stopped my heart for more than 2 minutes?" he asked.

Clarke nodded. "That's why I had to time the move! You know, I do pay attention to the stuff you say, though I seem incredibly bored – which sometimes is true by the way!"

Bruce ignored the remark. "It was really admirable, your catching on the magician's words and deciphering them to yield the right conclusion that the spell's success depended on my blood circulation, and then stopping it just for the right amount of time by.."
"The Magician!" Clarke interjected.

"That's what she's called – THE MAGICIAN! Don't you know?" Bruce frowned.

Clarke let out of small laugh. "Well we prefer to call her a witch. Or THE WITCH!"

Bruce sighed and shook his head.

Silence prevailed again.

"Did you… not feel anything before deciding to apply that old Chinese trick on me?" Bruce asked, breaking the silence.

"Why should I feel anything?" Clarke retorted.

Bruce gulped and bent his head. He was caught! Clarke remark seemed perfunctory, but he wasn't sure if he was genuine or if he was just bluffing. He chose not to talk.

Clarke smiled and placed his hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Let me put it this way…What do you think I must've felt at that time?" he said warmly.

Bruce was struggling to hold back his tears. Clarke knew that. He could understand him, better than ever! He moved his arm around Bruce's other shoulder and pressed it gently.

"Do you remember what you called me?" he asked again.

Bruce gulped and closed his eyes. After a while, he nodded.

"And you know what…" Clarke lingered. Bruce opened his eyes and faced him, with a frown. There was a thin layer of moisture in his eyes.

Clarke gently stroked Bruce's arm and said, "I wanted to say…"

Bruce's frown grew thicker.

"That I have it all recorded! And if you ever try to boss over me again, I'm going to screen it to the entire league!" he gave a devious smile.

Bruce broke out of Clarke's embrace and stood up with a jerk. He was thoroughly disappointed.

"What did you expect? That I'd say it was the best moment of my life!" Clarke laughed.

Bruce did not respond. He tried to walk away, but Clarke held his arm and pulled him back into the chair.

"Let me go!" Bruce growled, nursing his arm.

"Ok, Ok!" Clarke said, trying to control his laughter, which was a difficult task, "You still owe me one, no, no, two things. You give them to me, and I'll let you go!"

"What are they?" Bruce asked sharply.

"Ahem! Ok! First, why did you choose to stay with me?" Clarke asked.

Bruce turned away, but Clarke would not give up. He wanted the answer.

Bruce turned back to him, his anger seemed to disappear. He began in a low voice.
"I don't know, Clarke! I trusted you, and only you, and I cannot explain why!"

Clarke's grin disappeared, and he felt sudden surge of emotion. He lingered on it for a while, hoping that Bruce would overturn mood, like he did, and make him feel like a fool. But Bruce did not.

"Well, thanks, Bruce!" that was all he could say.

"Thanks to you, Clarke!" Bruce said in a brighter tone, "You proved my intuition to be right, thereby proving that I am right, always!" he grinned and raised his eye brow at Clarke.

Clarke bent his head and shook it. "I really should've seen that coming!"

"Well, what is that second thing I need to give?" Bruce asked, seemingly contended.

"Never mind!" Clarke said, "I think I've taken enough!"

"Very well then, see you at the weeding, Mr. Kent!" Bruce said, as he rose from the chair and began to walk away. Clarke absentmindedly waved good bye to him.

Bruce walked to the door which opened automatically. Clarke watched him as he entered into the monitor room. Just before the door behind him closed, he turned around.

"Thank you Clarke! Thank you so much for everything!"

And before Clarke could see that one tiny tear drop fall, the door closed.

And thus all was said and done!
-x THE END x-