Missing Him - Part Seven - Pale Blue Eyes
Title: Missing Him - Part Seven - Confrontation
Fandom: JLU
Pairings/Characters: Bruce/Clark, others
Rating: PG (this part)
Summary (This Part): Elle returns to her former self. Wally babysits. Bruce and Clark start to have 'that' conversation
Word count: ~2500 (~14000 total so far)
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Notes: This fic is about 20k long (possible longer). It's written but I'm still poking the last bit into submission. Warnings: Girl!Clark for SOME of the story, nothing graphic. If you havn't read the parts up to now please do first, else nothing will make sense. There is going to be a break in posting after this for just over a week and a half. RL is taking over for a bit and the remaining parts need kicking more and then sending to Beta. ( Thanks Fictional!!!!!)
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
Part Six - The Confrontation
Missing Him - Part Seven - Pale Blue Eyes
Watchtower - Med Bay- examination room 10.15pm, May 1
“So what’s the prognosis, Doctor?” Elle asked cheerfully.
Doctor Fate was a serious man. For the last two hours he had been poking and prodding at Elle, murmuring strange mystic incantations and doing other incomprehensible things.
“The matter content of your existence has been forced beyond its natural form to take on the shape of reversed physical polarity and new interstellar origin.”
As had happened for most of the last two hours Elle looked to the top-hatted Zatanna for a translation.
“He means you aren’t naturally female; or human. The dreams you talked of were memories from your previous life filtering through.”
Elle couldn’t suppress her joy. “So I can fly? The way I saw the world is how I should really perceive it?” Slowly something else dawned on her. “So I really am a part of the Justice League?”
Zatanna smirked. “I would say more than just ‘a part’ of it.”
“I can really fly and I’m a member of the league that’s been missing….” Shock suffused her face. “No way! You're crazy, there is no way I could be him. He’s a symbol. He’s…” Elle waved her arms trying to express what wouldn’t come out. Strange, she was normally quite articulate.
“He’s saved the world hundreds of times. I couldn’t do that. Not that I wouldn’t try but… Are you sure? Do you need to do more tests?”
Elle lifted her legs up onto the bed so she could hug her knees. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to her dreams, her memories. Focusing deeper on them than ever before, she tried to identify every emotion. She couldn’t be a god could she? The person she was in these memories didn’t feel like a god. It felt like someone who just wanted to do the best they could. Someone who didn’t want to let the thousands of millions that counted on them down. Who tried to live up to the insurmountable expectations that others seem to place on them. Someone who wouldn’t back down from anything if it was what needed to be done. Even if what needed to be done was impossible.
Good god! She really was him. And he could do more than she could. How could she not do as they asked?
“Fine, I’m… him? What now?”
Zatanna’s grin widened. “We change you back. Whoever did this was extremely skilled. It’s untraceable unless you know it’s there but perfectly reversible. You'll black out for a few hours and then be back to your old manly self again.”
“What about Martha?”
Wonder Woman placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Flash is looking after her. She’s fine and will be here as soon as you wake up.”
“She won’t know me?” Elle asked with a worried frown.
“I have to be honest, we don’t know. But you love her and will be able to rebuild the bond. You always were good with kids, much better than me.” The Amazon leaned in to hug her. “You have no idea how good it is to have my brother back.”
Untangling herself from the hug, Elle nodded to Fate.
“Do it now.”
The world around her dissolved into blackness.
Watchtower -The canteen, 1 am May 2
Wally smiled down at the small bundle in his arms. She was so cute, a little, mini, girly, version of Superman. He could just see her in a little blue and red romper suit. Could Elle really be the long lost Man of Steel? As freaky as the idea was, in this job Wally had seen way more blizzard things. No one had told him anything in hours. They probably had their hands full correcting whatever had gone wrong. He had his job to do and they had theirs.
Elle had asked him personally to look after the child. The look in her eye had confirmed how important she considered it. He had been delighted to. The idea that a Superman, particularly Superman when he/she had had limited knowledge of them all, would instinctively ask him meant a lot.
Abruptly, Wally realised he wasn't alone. There was a dark presence with them.
“Hi, Bats. What's the news? Is she him?” He realised he didn't have the Gotham Knight's attention. The man was concentrating on the baby.
He coughed loudly, “So do we have Supes? Can the magic types change him back?”
Batman looked up at him, and in his usual emotionless tone replied, “It's him. And Fate has already changed him back. He's going to be out of it for quite a few hours yet.”
“So I'm stuck with babysitting duty, huh? I'll cope. She's a sweetie and has his face. Her eyes must be her from her dad, though.” Wally shook his head with incredulity “You know that's the weirdest bit of all this?”
Batman was still staring intently at the infant. “What is?” came the inattentive reply.
“Her dad. Somewhere out there is a guy who did the horizontal rumba with Elle. What's he gonna do when Supes turns up demanding child support? I hope he can afford it because Ol' Big Blue isn't the type you say 'no' to. Knowing him he'll want the guy to be involved. 'Hi, Superman is my baby mamma'. That's a story and a half. ”
Batman still wasn't listening to him.
“Hey, do you want to hold her? You guys may not always see eye to eye, but there is no one he trusts more than you.”
Initially the austere man didn't react to the offer, but then he held out his arms and took hold of the tiny girl. Batman's whole body seemed to shift. Arms and hands that Wally had always regarded as deadly instruments of torture became almost tender in motion. Holding her securely in his left arm, Batman bit down on the index finger of his right gauntlet, and with a swift movement pulled his hand out. Crooking a perfectly manicured finger, he traced the infants face. The gesture was full of affection.
An alarming idea started forming in the speedster's mind.
Many people thought that Flash was thick. This was a mistake. Immature, maybe. Vain, at times, yes. Easily bored, all the time, but then wouldn't you be if the rest of the world went by at a snail's pace?
But not thick. Underneath the ginger mop that was hidden by the red balaclava was the mind of a trained forensic analyst. One that could think through all the options before anyone else had a chance to blink.
At the meeting that Elle had crashed they had all been shocked by the interruption, but the Bat's reactions had been off. In fact his reactions to Elle had been overtly aggressive, almost emotional. The only person who ever had had that effect before on the control freak was Superman. Then Batman had seen the little baby Martha. He had froze. Even when they figured out that it was possible that Elle was their missing unofficial leader. Normally Batman would have been right in the middle of that conversation. No one had searched as long or as hard for the missing Kryptonian.
Then it hit him.
Batman had recognised Elle. His first words to her had been 'It's you!'. Elle had shown no particular pre-knowledge of Batman. So she must have met the other Batman: Bruce Wayne. Wally still found that shocking. He hadn't spent that much time with the man in his other persona. Frankly the idea of a, ultra-social, life of the party Batman scared the hell out of him. But Wally knew the man's reputation as well as anyone with an addiction to trashy mags. How would billionaire Brucie respond to the stunning and voluptuous Elle? Coupled with the incredibly tender scene before him, there could be only one conclusion. No wonder her pale blue eyes had been so familiar.
Wally stumbled as he found the nearest chair.
He chuckled weakly, “Geez, so I guess covering the maintenance isn't going to be a problem? Who would have thought you two... Mind you, I don't blame you. Elle is hot! I'd...” he trailed off as he noticed he now had Batman's full attention. Batman's full and unimpressed attention. “Not that I'm saying I'd make a play for your kid's mother. I wouldn't anyway, cos she's now a he and I'm not saying I wouldn't want to with the big guy when he's a guy. Let's face it most the world would if they could. But I wouldn't make a play for anything of yours. But I'm also not saying that you're into him, cos he was a her when you two did the deed. What was that like by the way? I bet it was one hell of a...”
“Flash!” snapped Batman. “If you intend to keep that wagging tongue, shut the hell up.”
“Eerr, sorry.”
“You will be.” The threat was spoiled by the fact most of Batman's attention was back on the babe. In a flat voice, the man added “I suspect that it's too late to try to convince you otherwise?”
Wally shrugged apologetically. “It is, and you've got to know that this is going to come out eventually. Look, I need a toilet break. How about I give you two some alone time? And if it means anything, I meant it when I said that she's beautiful.”
With one last look at the unlikely father and child Wally sped out the room.
Watchtower - Med Bay- examination room 1.30pm, May 2.
Light.
At first there was light. That light became shapes.
Then noise, so much noise. So loud that it stabbed. Must cover ears...
Time passes
More light. Someone switching on a light? Light landing on me? Me? Who am me? No, that's not right... Who am I? That's better... right? No, that's not better. Really, it's not?! Who am I?
I can see. I look down.
I'm in a bed, a bed in a white room. There is a dark-haired man asleep in a chair next to the bed.
I try to say something, just a croak comes out. It's enough to wake the man. He scrambles over to the bed so he is looking down at me.
I look up into pale ice eyes.
Something clicks.
“Bruce... why am I here?” I mumble.
He looks down at me with the strangest expression on his face. I have no idea what it means.
“You remember me?” he asks.
I'm confused. I can't think. “Of course I remember you. You're pretty unforgettable and I have a photographic memory. Errrmm, though it doesn't seem to be quite working now, what happened?”
That whole sentence has exhausted me. I feel myself slipping back into sleep.
Before the darkness consumes me I feel a hand griping mine and his whispering, “Glad to have you back my friend.”
My final thought is to ponder when he started to call me friend.
Some time later...
This time when Clark wakes, he can remember it all.
And Batman is in full Batsuit sitting next to him.
The door must have been locked earlier. He is now aware that he's on the Watchtower. The sounds of the tower's machines, and over a hundred people going about their business filter through his ears.
And he can remember it all.
He remembers the club that Lois insisted he go to for their story.
He remembers waking in an alley, with no idea who she or he was.
He remembers the kindness of an old waitress in a run down diner.
He remembers singing for his supper in a dingy club.
He remembers the session of unbridled passion backstage in that club, with the first person he had felt any connection to in a world where nothing made sense. That person was now sitting next to the bed.
He remembers the consequence of that passionate night.
Clark sits up with a start.
“Where Martha?!” he demands.
Batman's gauntleted fist is on his shoulder.
“The child is fine,” he says in a flat tone.
Clark narrows his eyes in annoyance. “ 'The child'? Bruce! how can you... Never mind that... for now. Where is she B.?”
“Flash is still looking after her. He's using your room. No one wanted to move your stuff.”
Squinting so his x-ray vision kicks in, he looks down to his room. It was just as he had left it over a year ago. But now there was an improvised cot with a happily sleeping Martha in it. Flash was sitting on the bed flicking through a magazine.
Taking a deep breath he allowed himself to relax.
He turned to face the other occupant of the room.
“So...”
Batman sat down on the end of the bed.
“So?”
With a quick glance to check that no one else was around, Clark decided that direct confrontation was needed.
“'The child', Bruce? Try 'my child' or how about 'your child'. If you want to be accurate, and I know how you love precision, you could try 'our child'."
Batman stayed still for a second then nodded and looked out the window. “Our child.” Actual emotion crept up into his voice. “She's beautiful. She takes after you.”
Clark couldn't help but feel the surge of relief at Martha father's approval. Knowing that he was Bruce and not a homicidal mobster got rid of most the worries he'd had. Sadly, it brought in a whole host of new worries and a big pile of complications as well. All this was before he even tried to examine his tangled feelings for the man.
Bruce reverted back to his normal emotionless Batman tone. “We can't talk about this now. The rest are clambering to see you up and well. They fear my glare so far, but I don't think I can put them off much longer.. Also, you should know Flash and J'onn are aware of our situation.”
That was a shock. “J'onn I understand, but how does Flash know?”
“I may not have been quite as circumspect with my emotions as I should have been the first time I held her.” Batman replied guiltily.
Clark burst out laughing. “I think I can forgive you that slip. Even you are human, and trust me, those things happen to us non-humans too. While on the subject of genetics, what is Marther? If I was almost human, what is she?”
“She is our child.” Bruce was still gassing at the night sky but it was said with such a level of forcefulness that Clark had to smile. “Genetically, I'm not sure. Since the pair of you arrived the focus has been on you not on Martha”
Batman stood and headed to the door. He glanced over his shoulder.
“There is a founder's meeting in thirty minutes. Can you make it?”
Clark got to his feet, stretched out his long muscled limbs, and for the first time in a year, Superman nodded.
“I'll be there.”
Part Eight to be post in just over a weeks time.
Fandom: JLU
Pairings/Characters: Bruce/Clark, others
Rating: PG (this part)
Summary (This Part): Elle returns to her former self. Wally babysits. Bruce and Clark start to have 'that' conversation
Word count: ~2500 (~14000 total so far)
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Notes: This fic is about 20k long (possible longer). It's written but I'm still poking the last bit into submission. Warnings: Girl!Clark for SOME of the story, nothing graphic. If you havn't read the parts up to now please do first, else nothing will make sense. There is going to be a break in posting after this for just over a week and a half. RL is taking over for a bit and the remaining parts need kicking more and then sending to Beta. ( Thanks Fictional!!!!!)
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
Part Six - The Confrontation
Missing Him - Part Seven - Pale Blue Eyes
Watchtower - Med Bay- examination room 10.15pm, May 1
“So what’s the prognosis, Doctor?” Elle asked cheerfully.
Doctor Fate was a serious man. For the last two hours he had been poking and prodding at Elle, murmuring strange mystic incantations and doing other incomprehensible things.
“The matter content of your existence has been forced beyond its natural form to take on the shape of reversed physical polarity and new interstellar origin.”
As had happened for most of the last two hours Elle looked to the top-hatted Zatanna for a translation.
“He means you aren’t naturally female; or human. The dreams you talked of were memories from your previous life filtering through.”
Elle couldn’t suppress her joy. “So I can fly? The way I saw the world is how I should really perceive it?” Slowly something else dawned on her. “So I really am a part of the Justice League?”
Zatanna smirked. “I would say more than just ‘a part’ of it.”
“I can really fly and I’m a member of the league that’s been missing….” Shock suffused her face. “No way! You're crazy, there is no way I could be him. He’s a symbol. He’s…” Elle waved her arms trying to express what wouldn’t come out. Strange, she was normally quite articulate.
“He’s saved the world hundreds of times. I couldn’t do that. Not that I wouldn’t try but… Are you sure? Do you need to do more tests?”
Elle lifted her legs up onto the bed so she could hug her knees. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to her dreams, her memories. Focusing deeper on them than ever before, she tried to identify every emotion. She couldn’t be a god could she? The person she was in these memories didn’t feel like a god. It felt like someone who just wanted to do the best they could. Someone who didn’t want to let the thousands of millions that counted on them down. Who tried to live up to the insurmountable expectations that others seem to place on them. Someone who wouldn’t back down from anything if it was what needed to be done. Even if what needed to be done was impossible.
Good god! She really was him. And he could do more than she could. How could she not do as they asked?
“Fine, I’m… him? What now?”
Zatanna’s grin widened. “We change you back. Whoever did this was extremely skilled. It’s untraceable unless you know it’s there but perfectly reversible. You'll black out for a few hours and then be back to your old manly self again.”
“What about Martha?”
Wonder Woman placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Flash is looking after her. She’s fine and will be here as soon as you wake up.”
“She won’t know me?” Elle asked with a worried frown.
“I have to be honest, we don’t know. But you love her and will be able to rebuild the bond. You always were good with kids, much better than me.” The Amazon leaned in to hug her. “You have no idea how good it is to have my brother back.”
Untangling herself from the hug, Elle nodded to Fate.
“Do it now.”
The world around her dissolved into blackness.
Watchtower -The canteen, 1 am May 2
Wally smiled down at the small bundle in his arms. She was so cute, a little, mini, girly, version of Superman. He could just see her in a little blue and red romper suit. Could Elle really be the long lost Man of Steel? As freaky as the idea was, in this job Wally had seen way more blizzard things. No one had told him anything in hours. They probably had their hands full correcting whatever had gone wrong. He had his job to do and they had theirs.
Elle had asked him personally to look after the child. The look in her eye had confirmed how important she considered it. He had been delighted to. The idea that a Superman, particularly Superman when he/she had had limited knowledge of them all, would instinctively ask him meant a lot.
Abruptly, Wally realised he wasn't alone. There was a dark presence with them.
“Hi, Bats. What's the news? Is she him?” He realised he didn't have the Gotham Knight's attention. The man was concentrating on the baby.
He coughed loudly, “So do we have Supes? Can the magic types change him back?”
Batman looked up at him, and in his usual emotionless tone replied, “It's him. And Fate has already changed him back. He's going to be out of it for quite a few hours yet.”
“So I'm stuck with babysitting duty, huh? I'll cope. She's a sweetie and has his face. Her eyes must be her from her dad, though.” Wally shook his head with incredulity “You know that's the weirdest bit of all this?”
Batman was still staring intently at the infant. “What is?” came the inattentive reply.
“Her dad. Somewhere out there is a guy who did the horizontal rumba with Elle. What's he gonna do when Supes turns up demanding child support? I hope he can afford it because Ol' Big Blue isn't the type you say 'no' to. Knowing him he'll want the guy to be involved. 'Hi, Superman is my baby mamma'. That's a story and a half. ”
Batman still wasn't listening to him.
“Hey, do you want to hold her? You guys may not always see eye to eye, but there is no one he trusts more than you.”
Initially the austere man didn't react to the offer, but then he held out his arms and took hold of the tiny girl. Batman's whole body seemed to shift. Arms and hands that Wally had always regarded as deadly instruments of torture became almost tender in motion. Holding her securely in his left arm, Batman bit down on the index finger of his right gauntlet, and with a swift movement pulled his hand out. Crooking a perfectly manicured finger, he traced the infants face. The gesture was full of affection.
An alarming idea started forming in the speedster's mind.
Many people thought that Flash was thick. This was a mistake. Immature, maybe. Vain, at times, yes. Easily bored, all the time, but then wouldn't you be if the rest of the world went by at a snail's pace?
But not thick. Underneath the ginger mop that was hidden by the red balaclava was the mind of a trained forensic analyst. One that could think through all the options before anyone else had a chance to blink.
At the meeting that Elle had crashed they had all been shocked by the interruption, but the Bat's reactions had been off. In fact his reactions to Elle had been overtly aggressive, almost emotional. The only person who ever had had that effect before on the control freak was Superman. Then Batman had seen the little baby Martha. He had froze. Even when they figured out that it was possible that Elle was their missing unofficial leader. Normally Batman would have been right in the middle of that conversation. No one had searched as long or as hard for the missing Kryptonian.
Then it hit him.
Batman had recognised Elle. His first words to her had been 'It's you!'. Elle had shown no particular pre-knowledge of Batman. So she must have met the other Batman: Bruce Wayne. Wally still found that shocking. He hadn't spent that much time with the man in his other persona. Frankly the idea of a, ultra-social, life of the party Batman scared the hell out of him. But Wally knew the man's reputation as well as anyone with an addiction to trashy mags. How would billionaire Brucie respond to the stunning and voluptuous Elle? Coupled with the incredibly tender scene before him, there could be only one conclusion. No wonder her pale blue eyes had been so familiar.
Wally stumbled as he found the nearest chair.
He chuckled weakly, “Geez, so I guess covering the maintenance isn't going to be a problem? Who would have thought you two... Mind you, I don't blame you. Elle is hot! I'd...” he trailed off as he noticed he now had Batman's full attention. Batman's full and unimpressed attention. “Not that I'm saying I'd make a play for your kid's mother. I wouldn't anyway, cos she's now a he and I'm not saying I wouldn't want to with the big guy when he's a guy. Let's face it most the world would if they could. But I wouldn't make a play for anything of yours. But I'm also not saying that you're into him, cos he was a her when you two did the deed. What was that like by the way? I bet it was one hell of a...”
“Flash!” snapped Batman. “If you intend to keep that wagging tongue, shut the hell up.”
“Eerr, sorry.”
“You will be.” The threat was spoiled by the fact most of Batman's attention was back on the babe. In a flat voice, the man added “I suspect that it's too late to try to convince you otherwise?”
Wally shrugged apologetically. “It is, and you've got to know that this is going to come out eventually. Look, I need a toilet break. How about I give you two some alone time? And if it means anything, I meant it when I said that she's beautiful.”
With one last look at the unlikely father and child Wally sped out the room.
Watchtower - Med Bay- examination room 1.30pm, May 2.
Light.
At first there was light. That light became shapes.
Then noise, so much noise. So loud that it stabbed. Must cover ears...
Time passes
More light. Someone switching on a light? Light landing on me? Me? Who am me? No, that's not right... Who am I? That's better... right? No, that's not better. Really, it's not?! Who am I?
I can see. I look down.
I'm in a bed, a bed in a white room. There is a dark-haired man asleep in a chair next to the bed.
I try to say something, just a croak comes out. It's enough to wake the man. He scrambles over to the bed so he is looking down at me.
I look up into pale ice eyes.
Something clicks.
“Bruce... why am I here?” I mumble.
He looks down at me with the strangest expression on his face. I have no idea what it means.
“You remember me?” he asks.
I'm confused. I can't think. “Of course I remember you. You're pretty unforgettable and I have a photographic memory. Errrmm, though it doesn't seem to be quite working now, what happened?”
That whole sentence has exhausted me. I feel myself slipping back into sleep.
Before the darkness consumes me I feel a hand griping mine and his whispering, “Glad to have you back my friend.”
My final thought is to ponder when he started to call me friend.
Some time later...
This time when Clark wakes, he can remember it all.
And Batman is in full Batsuit sitting next to him.
The door must have been locked earlier. He is now aware that he's on the Watchtower. The sounds of the tower's machines, and over a hundred people going about their business filter through his ears.
And he can remember it all.
He remembers the club that Lois insisted he go to for their story.
He remembers waking in an alley, with no idea who she or he was.
He remembers the kindness of an old waitress in a run down diner.
He remembers singing for his supper in a dingy club.
He remembers the session of unbridled passion backstage in that club, with the first person he had felt any connection to in a world where nothing made sense. That person was now sitting next to the bed.
He remembers the consequence of that passionate night.
Clark sits up with a start.
“Where Martha?!” he demands.
Batman's gauntleted fist is on his shoulder.
“The child is fine,” he says in a flat tone.
Clark narrows his eyes in annoyance. “ 'The child'? Bruce! how can you... Never mind that... for now. Where is she B.?”
“Flash is still looking after her. He's using your room. No one wanted to move your stuff.”
Squinting so his x-ray vision kicks in, he looks down to his room. It was just as he had left it over a year ago. But now there was an improvised cot with a happily sleeping Martha in it. Flash was sitting on the bed flicking through a magazine.
Taking a deep breath he allowed himself to relax.
He turned to face the other occupant of the room.
“So...”
Batman sat down on the end of the bed.
“So?”
With a quick glance to check that no one else was around, Clark decided that direct confrontation was needed.
“'The child', Bruce? Try 'my child' or how about 'your child'. If you want to be accurate, and I know how you love precision, you could try 'our child'."
Batman stayed still for a second then nodded and looked out the window. “Our child.” Actual emotion crept up into his voice. “She's beautiful. She takes after you.”
Clark couldn't help but feel the surge of relief at Martha father's approval. Knowing that he was Bruce and not a homicidal mobster got rid of most the worries he'd had. Sadly, it brought in a whole host of new worries and a big pile of complications as well. All this was before he even tried to examine his tangled feelings for the man.
Bruce reverted back to his normal emotionless Batman tone. “We can't talk about this now. The rest are clambering to see you up and well. They fear my glare so far, but I don't think I can put them off much longer.. Also, you should know Flash and J'onn are aware of our situation.”
That was a shock. “J'onn I understand, but how does Flash know?”
“I may not have been quite as circumspect with my emotions as I should have been the first time I held her.” Batman replied guiltily.
Clark burst out laughing. “I think I can forgive you that slip. Even you are human, and trust me, those things happen to us non-humans too. While on the subject of genetics, what is Marther? If I was almost human, what is she?”
“She is our child.” Bruce was still gassing at the night sky but it was said with such a level of forcefulness that Clark had to smile. “Genetically, I'm not sure. Since the pair of you arrived the focus has been on you not on Martha”
Batman stood and headed to the door. He glanced over his shoulder.
“There is a founder's meeting in thirty minutes. Can you make it?”
Clark got to his feet, stretched out his long muscled limbs, and for the first time in a year, Superman nodded.
“I'll be there.”
Part Eight to be post in just over a weeks time.