Fic: Missing Him - Part Six - The Confrontation
Title: Missing Him - Part Six - Confrontation
Fandom: JLU
Pairings/Characters: Bruce/Clark, others
Rating: PG (this part)
Summary (This Part): Elle embarks on a little trespassing. Bruce realises he's a father.
Word count: ~2230 (~11430 total so far)
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Notes: This fic is about 20k long. It's written but I'm still poking the last half into submission. Warnings: Girl!Clark for SOME of the story, nothing graphic. Next post will be tomorrow evening. I need to go to bed. Please read the other parts first else this will not make sense. I'm very fond of this fic. It is a little self endulgent. So thanks to those of you commenting, It means alot :)
Part One - It's A Kinda Magic
Part Two - Who am I?/Where is he?
Part Three - Regrets and Repercussions
Part Four - Desperations
Part Five - Dreams
Missing Him - Part Six - The Confontation
Watchtower - corridor, 5.00pm, May 1
With Martha strapped to her back, Elle walked casually down the metallic hall that was the twin to the one in her dream. Getting here had been easy. Unsettlingly so. Every one of her visions and ‘memories’ had been correct. Even the 30-digit code that she had needed to override the teleport system.
Once on-board, she had located a spare store cupboard. A quick change and she was in the civilian staff uniform. Even the fact she was carrying a baby only got her slight odd looks. A quick shrug and apologetic smile seemed enough for people to overlook her. She could have tried to sneak around, but hiding in plain sight seemed more natural, even with a happily burbling baby on her back.
A left, another left, and then a right and she was standing before the double doored entrance to the central conference room of the JLA. There was a bright red light above the door indicating the room was in use. A quick look in the on-board database had shown her that there was a meeting of the founding members in session at the moment. If she was going to sort this out, she may as well go straight to the top.
Taking a deep breath and a quick glance over her shoulder at Martha for reassurance, she punched in the unlock code to the door panel. It swept open with a barely audible hiss. Squaring her shoulders as if preparing for battle, she headed in.
A large table dominated the room. Around it sat six superheroes and one profoundly empty chair. The hero’s reactions to being interrupted varied from bored interest from Flash to mild outrage by Green Lantern. The ex-marine stood up and demanded an explanation.
“What’s the meaning of this? Why have we been interrupted?”
Elle felt like she should feel afraid, or at least nervous - she had walked in on six of the most powerful individuals on the planet, after breaking into what was effectively what the public considered their home. This wasn’t a situation that she should find herself enjoying, but she was.
Looking round at faces that she had seen flashes of in her dreams made an inner-confidence flow. She had absolute faith in these people; whatever was going on they would help… even if they ended up arguing about it first.
“My name is Elle. I’ve interrupted you because I have a problem. One that concerns you all.”
Green Lantern gave her an assessing look, “And that is?”
Suddenly, on the other side of the table, Batman shot up. He stalked around to where Elle was standing. The imposing man grabbed her chin and forcefully moved her head left and right as if to get a better view.
“It’s you!” he hissed.
Elle set her feet a pace apart, she crossed her arms over her chest and looked directly into the white slits that were the Batman’s eyes.
“Of course I’m me. But how on earth do you know me?!” Elle demanded.
Batman was still for a fraction of a second then growled, “I don't know what your problem is, but ours is how the hell you got on board this satellite. You are not one of our staff. Explain, now!”
This man was obviously used to having his demands met, and as much as explaining now would hurry them into helping her, some perverse part of Elle refused to let her give into him. As unwise as it was, she arched an eyebrow and smiled.
“Your security obviously isn’t that good then.”
“Isn't... that... good?!” he answered in a flat, dangerous voice.
She smirked.
Gauntleted fists suddenly had a hold of her arms.
“Tell me! How did you get in here?” he growled.
There was a small gurgle and slight cry from behind Elle. With a speed and strength that she had no idea that she possessed, Elle whipped her arms up and between those of the Batman. Twisting at the last moment she took a step out of his space. The Gotham Knight dropped into a stance that looked casual, but was defensive. Why was it Gotham men that always got her into trouble?
Another small whimper and her attention was back on the bundle behind her.
Absent-mindedly she replied to the Batman, “As for how I got in here, if you'll stop scaring my daughter I'll tell you.”
She shifted the carrier straps so she could grab Martha out of the contraption. Cooing softly to settle the baby in her arms, Elle missed the moment when the Batman froze.
“Your daughter?” he asked.
If she had been paying attention, she would have said the gravelly voice sounded hoarse.
Now that Martha was being rocked gently, she had quieted down. Elle kissed her forehead, and slowly, but deliberately, moved them away from the silent and immobile Batman. The costumed man appeared to be staring at her. If she could put any to any emotion to the set of his jaw it would have been shock.
The Green Lantern tried to get some control of the situation.
“So then, what is this problem? And how did you get here undetected?”
As ridiculous as they sounded, her reasons weren't going to change any time soon.
“I dreamed how to get in,” Elle said softly.
The heroes before her seemed unimpressed. Wonder Woman, who had been silent up till then spoke up.
“Come on, you're dreaming our secrets?”
Elle sighed. “I know it's unbelievable, I can't explain it. All I know is that ever since I was pregnant I've had the strangest dreams. So vivid that they felt more real that life itself. After Martha's birth the dreams changed. I started to walk these halls, to see all of you. I felt like part of this. For the second time since my accident I felt like part of something.”
“Prove this,” challenged Wonder Woman
“How do you want me to prove a dream?” Elle demanded. “All I can prove is that I know stuff that by all accounts I shouldn't. If I really wanted to be a threat would I be here? With my baby?!”
This wasn't going well, she had know they would be difficult to persuade, but what choice did she have?
“Why bring the child?” HawkGirl pressed. “It's a cute kid, but bringing it with you doesn't seem the brightest of ideas.”
“I couldn't leave her.” Elle bit her lip “We don't have anyone else.”
“If I may?” Piped up the green alien at the back. Everyone nodded except Batman who still was remaining silent. “I can cheek the validation of your claim, if you trust me to. I won't do it if you refuse. But if you want us to believe you, this really would help.”
Elle didn't hesitate, “I trust you implicitly.”
At first there was nothing, but slowly there was a sort of searching tickle behind her eyes. The presences shifting though her memories. Lingering on some, passing by others. The conversation with Martha’s namesake seemed to intrigue him the most. She could feel him coming close to the night in the club so many months ago and some instinctive part of her refused to let this be shared. It was too personal. Her mind kicked out in objection.
Across the room the Martian flinched.
“J’onn! Are you ok?” Wonder Woman leapt towards Elle, “If you’ve done anything to him I’ll…”
The Martian interrupted her. “Diana, I’m fine. Please leave the poor girl be.”
“She attacked you.” .
“Not deliberately. I miscalculated. Her intentions are anything but malicious.” Alien scarlet eyes looked softly at Elle. “You're not human, you don’t know that, do you?”
Elle felt a flush raise over her face. Not human? That couldn’t possibly be the case? Could it? The idea should be a big shock. She should be curling in a ball on the floor rejecting the impossibility. But like all the strangest of things, it seemed… right.
“If I’m not human, what am I?”
The Manhunter looked speculative for a moment. “I’m not certain. I have some theories. Your essence is very familiar. Almost Kryptonian, but there is an outside influence on it. What was the date of the first thing you remember?”
Wonder Woman looked sharply at the Martian. “That’s not possible.” An expression of hope crossed her face. “Is it?”
“Let her answer Diana. Whatever the case, Elle has been through a lot.”
Elle looked between the two. She was confused, “The 9th of May. That may as well have been when my life started. Why?”
There was a collective gasp around the room, then mumbles of “It can’t be.” “She sorta looks like him.” “What could do that?” “New Kryptonite type?” “Never mind that, she’s got a baby! Who's the dad?”
Only Batman remained wordless.
J’onn coughed politely. “I’m not one hundred percent sure about this. We need to run some tests.” He taped his intercom. “Can we have a call for Doctor Fate and Zatanna to report to the med bay, priority 2”
Elle felt the tension in the room change. When she had first entered it had been hostile, now there was an excited buzz. Shame she had no idea why. So, they didn’t think she was human. That wasn’t a good reason for this new air of expectation.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What’s going on here?”
She felt the soft tickle of the Martian in her mind.
Please bare with us Elle, I know this is confusing. But, do you trust us?
Yes.
Then let us run some tests. As soon as I have anything concrete I promise I’ll let you know.
What about Martha? I’m not leaving her with just anyone while you do this.
She can stay nearby; one of us will look after her?
Elle looked over the assembled heroes. Most people would probably have asked Wonder Woman, and as much as Elle could feel respect for her, she didn’t strike her as the maternal type. The idea of Hawkgirl or the Lantern trying to look after her little stubborn Marty was so ludicrous that she almost burst out laughing. Batman? No, not him. The man seemed to have fixed his gaze on Marty. This was making Elle uncomfortable for some reason.
“You.” She pointed at Flash. “Would you be so kind as to look after my little girl, while this is sorted?”
Flash choked. “Me?”
Elle tilted her head to the side as she looked at him. “Yeah, something tells me you’d be good with her.”
The Speedster positively beamed. “It would be an honour, Big… “
“Flash!” the Martian cut him off. “We’re not sure of anything yet.”
“It would be an honour, Elle,” he corrected himself.
Elle passed Marty to him. The baby girl smiled up at the crimson clad hero. Elle grinned.
“I knew she’d like you.”
She let her gaze pass over the others as she straightened to her full height.
“Enough talk, Martian. Let's get this sorted out.” Elle turned and unconsciously took the lead as they headed to the med bay. She totally missed the pointed looks and emphatic gestures behind her.
Watchtower - Med Bay- Observation chamber 10.15pm, May 1
Bruce couldn’t help but stare through the one-way glass into the examination room where the tall woman from his dreams chatted away quietly with Diana, Zatanna and Doctor Fate. The woman who, it seemed, was in some way his missing friend. The woman who had a child that was the right age for conception to coincide with a certain night in Metropolis. His mind was spinning in a never-ending circle. Had he been that close, and missed him?
A heavy hand landed gently on his shoulder. Only two people would have the audacity to touch him like that and one of those was possibly on the other side of the glass.
“You have something you wanted to say, J’onn?” Bruce asked flatly.
The alien standing behind him released a gentle exasperated sigh. “I just though you might like to talk.”
“Is she him?”
“Yes... A strong but subtle magic had been used to make the change. At the moment his essence is being forced to act and react like that of a human female.” The Alien's voice was modulated and careful.
“Will we be able to change him back? Will he remember his time as a woman?”
“Yes… and yes.” The heavy hand exerted enough strength that Bruce felt himself being spun. “I know you treasure your mental space more than most. I’m not intruding. You’re broadcasting your… discomfort. Out of all of us I would have though you would be the most pleased to have his return.”
Bruce grimaced, of all people, trying to deceive J’onn was the most pointless. “It’s complicated. So very complicated.”
Solemn eyes that had seen the death of a race looked at him blankly, “When I was validating her - his - claims, I saw something. Something she didn’t want me to see. The conception of the child. ‘Elle’ was only ever with one person. Life is complicated Bruce, but some things my friend, are quite simple. You can be unnecessarily… obstinate. Please take into account that they has been through a lot.”
Bruce turned back to the image in the next room. “I’ll try.”
“That's all I ask.”
Part Seven - here
Fandom: JLU
Pairings/Characters: Bruce/Clark, others
Rating: PG (this part)
Summary (This Part): Elle embarks on a little trespassing. Bruce realises he's a father.
Word count: ~2230 (~11430 total so far)
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Notes: This fic is about 20k long. It's written but I'm still poking the last half into submission. Warnings: Girl!Clark for SOME of the story, nothing graphic. Next post will be tomorrow evening. I need to go to bed. Please read the other parts first else this will not make sense. I'm very fond of this fic. It is a little self endulgent. So thanks to those of you commenting, It means alot :)
Part One - It's A Kinda Magic
Part Two - Who am I?/Where is he?
Part Three - Regrets and Repercussions
Part Four - Desperations
Part Five - Dreams
Missing Him - Part Six - The Confontation
Watchtower - corridor, 5.00pm, May 1
With Martha strapped to her back, Elle walked casually down the metallic hall that was the twin to the one in her dream. Getting here had been easy. Unsettlingly so. Every one of her visions and ‘memories’ had been correct. Even the 30-digit code that she had needed to override the teleport system.
Once on-board, she had located a spare store cupboard. A quick change and she was in the civilian staff uniform. Even the fact she was carrying a baby only got her slight odd looks. A quick shrug and apologetic smile seemed enough for people to overlook her. She could have tried to sneak around, but hiding in plain sight seemed more natural, even with a happily burbling baby on her back.
A left, another left, and then a right and she was standing before the double doored entrance to the central conference room of the JLA. There was a bright red light above the door indicating the room was in use. A quick look in the on-board database had shown her that there was a meeting of the founding members in session at the moment. If she was going to sort this out, she may as well go straight to the top.
Taking a deep breath and a quick glance over her shoulder at Martha for reassurance, she punched in the unlock code to the door panel. It swept open with a barely audible hiss. Squaring her shoulders as if preparing for battle, she headed in.
A large table dominated the room. Around it sat six superheroes and one profoundly empty chair. The hero’s reactions to being interrupted varied from bored interest from Flash to mild outrage by Green Lantern. The ex-marine stood up and demanded an explanation.
“What’s the meaning of this? Why have we been interrupted?”
Elle felt like she should feel afraid, or at least nervous - she had walked in on six of the most powerful individuals on the planet, after breaking into what was effectively what the public considered their home. This wasn’t a situation that she should find herself enjoying, but she was.
Looking round at faces that she had seen flashes of in her dreams made an inner-confidence flow. She had absolute faith in these people; whatever was going on they would help… even if they ended up arguing about it first.
“My name is Elle. I’ve interrupted you because I have a problem. One that concerns you all.”
Green Lantern gave her an assessing look, “And that is?”
Suddenly, on the other side of the table, Batman shot up. He stalked around to where Elle was standing. The imposing man grabbed her chin and forcefully moved her head left and right as if to get a better view.
“It’s you!” he hissed.
Elle set her feet a pace apart, she crossed her arms over her chest and looked directly into the white slits that were the Batman’s eyes.
“Of course I’m me. But how on earth do you know me?!” Elle demanded.
Batman was still for a fraction of a second then growled, “I don't know what your problem is, but ours is how the hell you got on board this satellite. You are not one of our staff. Explain, now!”
This man was obviously used to having his demands met, and as much as explaining now would hurry them into helping her, some perverse part of Elle refused to let her give into him. As unwise as it was, she arched an eyebrow and smiled.
“Your security obviously isn’t that good then.”
“Isn't... that... good?!” he answered in a flat, dangerous voice.
She smirked.
Gauntleted fists suddenly had a hold of her arms.
“Tell me! How did you get in here?” he growled.
There was a small gurgle and slight cry from behind Elle. With a speed and strength that she had no idea that she possessed, Elle whipped her arms up and between those of the Batman. Twisting at the last moment she took a step out of his space. The Gotham Knight dropped into a stance that looked casual, but was defensive. Why was it Gotham men that always got her into trouble?
Another small whimper and her attention was back on the bundle behind her.
Absent-mindedly she replied to the Batman, “As for how I got in here, if you'll stop scaring my daughter I'll tell you.”
She shifted the carrier straps so she could grab Martha out of the contraption. Cooing softly to settle the baby in her arms, Elle missed the moment when the Batman froze.
“Your daughter?” he asked.
If she had been paying attention, she would have said the gravelly voice sounded hoarse.
Now that Martha was being rocked gently, she had quieted down. Elle kissed her forehead, and slowly, but deliberately, moved them away from the silent and immobile Batman. The costumed man appeared to be staring at her. If she could put any to any emotion to the set of his jaw it would have been shock.
The Green Lantern tried to get some control of the situation.
“So then, what is this problem? And how did you get here undetected?”
As ridiculous as they sounded, her reasons weren't going to change any time soon.
“I dreamed how to get in,” Elle said softly.
The heroes before her seemed unimpressed. Wonder Woman, who had been silent up till then spoke up.
“Come on, you're dreaming our secrets?”
Elle sighed. “I know it's unbelievable, I can't explain it. All I know is that ever since I was pregnant I've had the strangest dreams. So vivid that they felt more real that life itself. After Martha's birth the dreams changed. I started to walk these halls, to see all of you. I felt like part of this. For the second time since my accident I felt like part of something.”
“Prove this,” challenged Wonder Woman
“How do you want me to prove a dream?” Elle demanded. “All I can prove is that I know stuff that by all accounts I shouldn't. If I really wanted to be a threat would I be here? With my baby?!”
This wasn't going well, she had know they would be difficult to persuade, but what choice did she have?
“Why bring the child?” HawkGirl pressed. “It's a cute kid, but bringing it with you doesn't seem the brightest of ideas.”
“I couldn't leave her.” Elle bit her lip “We don't have anyone else.”
“If I may?” Piped up the green alien at the back. Everyone nodded except Batman who still was remaining silent. “I can cheek the validation of your claim, if you trust me to. I won't do it if you refuse. But if you want us to believe you, this really would help.”
Elle didn't hesitate, “I trust you implicitly.”
At first there was nothing, but slowly there was a sort of searching tickle behind her eyes. The presences shifting though her memories. Lingering on some, passing by others. The conversation with Martha’s namesake seemed to intrigue him the most. She could feel him coming close to the night in the club so many months ago and some instinctive part of her refused to let this be shared. It was too personal. Her mind kicked out in objection.
Across the room the Martian flinched.
“J’onn! Are you ok?” Wonder Woman leapt towards Elle, “If you’ve done anything to him I’ll…”
The Martian interrupted her. “Diana, I’m fine. Please leave the poor girl be.”
“She attacked you.” .
“Not deliberately. I miscalculated. Her intentions are anything but malicious.” Alien scarlet eyes looked softly at Elle. “You're not human, you don’t know that, do you?”
Elle felt a flush raise over her face. Not human? That couldn’t possibly be the case? Could it? The idea should be a big shock. She should be curling in a ball on the floor rejecting the impossibility. But like all the strangest of things, it seemed… right.
“If I’m not human, what am I?”
The Manhunter looked speculative for a moment. “I’m not certain. I have some theories. Your essence is very familiar. Almost Kryptonian, but there is an outside influence on it. What was the date of the first thing you remember?”
Wonder Woman looked sharply at the Martian. “That’s not possible.” An expression of hope crossed her face. “Is it?”
“Let her answer Diana. Whatever the case, Elle has been through a lot.”
Elle looked between the two. She was confused, “The 9th of May. That may as well have been when my life started. Why?”
There was a collective gasp around the room, then mumbles of “It can’t be.” “She sorta looks like him.” “What could do that?” “New Kryptonite type?” “Never mind that, she’s got a baby! Who's the dad?”
Only Batman remained wordless.
J’onn coughed politely. “I’m not one hundred percent sure about this. We need to run some tests.” He taped his intercom. “Can we have a call for Doctor Fate and Zatanna to report to the med bay, priority 2”
Elle felt the tension in the room change. When she had first entered it had been hostile, now there was an excited buzz. Shame she had no idea why. So, they didn’t think she was human. That wasn’t a good reason for this new air of expectation.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What’s going on here?”
She felt the soft tickle of the Martian in her mind.
Please bare with us Elle, I know this is confusing. But, do you trust us?
Yes.
Then let us run some tests. As soon as I have anything concrete I promise I’ll let you know.
What about Martha? I’m not leaving her with just anyone while you do this.
She can stay nearby; one of us will look after her?
Elle looked over the assembled heroes. Most people would probably have asked Wonder Woman, and as much as Elle could feel respect for her, she didn’t strike her as the maternal type. The idea of Hawkgirl or the Lantern trying to look after her little stubborn Marty was so ludicrous that she almost burst out laughing. Batman? No, not him. The man seemed to have fixed his gaze on Marty. This was making Elle uncomfortable for some reason.
“You.” She pointed at Flash. “Would you be so kind as to look after my little girl, while this is sorted?”
Flash choked. “Me?”
Elle tilted her head to the side as she looked at him. “Yeah, something tells me you’d be good with her.”
The Speedster positively beamed. “It would be an honour, Big… “
“Flash!” the Martian cut him off. “We’re not sure of anything yet.”
“It would be an honour, Elle,” he corrected himself.
Elle passed Marty to him. The baby girl smiled up at the crimson clad hero. Elle grinned.
“I knew she’d like you.”
She let her gaze pass over the others as she straightened to her full height.
“Enough talk, Martian. Let's get this sorted out.” Elle turned and unconsciously took the lead as they headed to the med bay. She totally missed the pointed looks and emphatic gestures behind her.
Watchtower - Med Bay- Observation chamber 10.15pm, May 1
Bruce couldn’t help but stare through the one-way glass into the examination room where the tall woman from his dreams chatted away quietly with Diana, Zatanna and Doctor Fate. The woman who, it seemed, was in some way his missing friend. The woman who had a child that was the right age for conception to coincide with a certain night in Metropolis. His mind was spinning in a never-ending circle. Had he been that close, and missed him?
A heavy hand landed gently on his shoulder. Only two people would have the audacity to touch him like that and one of those was possibly on the other side of the glass.
“You have something you wanted to say, J’onn?” Bruce asked flatly.
The alien standing behind him released a gentle exasperated sigh. “I just though you might like to talk.”
“Is she him?”
“Yes... A strong but subtle magic had been used to make the change. At the moment his essence is being forced to act and react like that of a human female.” The Alien's voice was modulated and careful.
“Will we be able to change him back? Will he remember his time as a woman?”
“Yes… and yes.” The heavy hand exerted enough strength that Bruce felt himself being spun. “I know you treasure your mental space more than most. I’m not intruding. You’re broadcasting your… discomfort. Out of all of us I would have though you would be the most pleased to have his return.”
Bruce grimaced, of all people, trying to deceive J’onn was the most pointless. “It’s complicated. So very complicated.”
Solemn eyes that had seen the death of a race looked at him blankly, “When I was validating her - his - claims, I saw something. Something she didn’t want me to see. The conception of the child. ‘Elle’ was only ever with one person. Life is complicated Bruce, but some things my friend, are quite simple. You can be unnecessarily… obstinate. Please take into account that they has been through a lot.”
Bruce turned back to the image in the next room. “I’ll try.”
“That's all I ask.”
Part Seven - here