Monday, May 14th, 2017. 6:27 PM.

• • •

In the back of the car loaned to them by Bruce, I sat listening to their idle conversation. Arthur didn't speak much, and Ingrid seemed to hate the silence. I twisted my fingers over and over again, trying to quell my nerves. So many questions were running through my mind, and I wanted to ask them what they knew, but Ingrid made a habit of deflecting questions with the simple statement: "Bruce will have to explain it. It's not my place."

So, I had stopped asking and just set my gaze on the changing scenery.

6:36 PM

I found him in the kitchen. The sun had already set, and I had stormed in past Arthur and Ingrid, not needing any escorts. I was familiar with the layout of his house. Alfred's voice was asking about dinner but had trailed off once I stepped onto the dark tiled floor. Bruce was leaning against the counter, his arms crossed. His demeanor changed the moment he saw me, his shoulders relaxed, and he immediately walked around the small group who had his undivided attention.

I caught a glimpse of a young man with a shovel and dirt on his boots, another who was hiding his metallic body in sweats, both who I recognized as Victor Stone and Barry Allen. My eyes skimmed over the woman who was there when Clark had died for just a moment, her eyes soft and sad, before Bruce stepped into my eyesight.

"Annie, are you okay?" He asked.

Behind us, I heard Ingrid whisper something, but I ignored it and looked Bruce squarely in the eye.

"The cult that is obsessed with Steppenwolf tried to assassinate me, and my so-called therapist was the one they sent. So, no, I am not okay." I seethed.

"Okay, have you eaten?" He placed a hand on my shoulder and steered me further into the kitchen. The group had dispersed disappearing into the living room. I sat at the island, perched on a stool watching Bruce sit across from me.
Not even a minute after I sat down was there a plate of pasta in front of me. Alfred places a cold glass of water next to it, and I smiled up at him.

"Thank you, Alfred."

"My pleasure, Annie. It's good to see you," he turned his dark eyes to Bruce, who shook his head. Alfred sighed and joined the rest of the group, trying not to eavesdrop on our conversation.

A few tense moments passed as he let me eat. I hadn't realized how hungry I was, not having eaten since ten this morning. As I spun noodles around on my fork, he cleared his throat, and I cast my blue eyes to his serious face.

"How long were you seeing your therapist?"

"For about seven months, but the last time I spoke to her was," I scrunched my nose in thought, "Uh, three months ago."

"How were your sessions?"

"Normal. I mean as normal as they can be. Nothing stood out to me; there were no red flags. I didn't pick up on anything." I explained between sips of water. I set the glass down on the marble countertop and sat back, pushing my plate away from me.

"Who introduced you two?"

"Ben did. She helped him with the death of his wife."

I watched Bruce closely when I mentioned Ben. He didn't like him. His brow gave his thoughts away as it furrowed, and his lips pursed.

"Has Ben done any-,"

"Bruce! Be reasonable here; it's Ben we're talking about. I haven't even mentioned it to him. We've been going through a rough patch...I think it's my fault." I sigh, curling my hand around my fork in frustration.

His hand settles upon mine squeezing slightly.

"Annie, I may not like Ben, but he loves you." The way he said it seemed like he had rehearsed it time and time again.

"Then why did he not say it back?" Suddenly tears were in my eyes, and I looked at Bruce, "I told him I loved him, and he didn't say anything back."

"Annie,-,"

"I never said anything back. To Clark. He told me before he died that he loved me, that I was his world, but I never said anything."

"It all makes sense now." Bruce stood up, beckoning the rest of the group into the kitchen. I watched them all file in, Barry seemed excited to meet me and smiled awkwardly at me.

"Barry, stop staring at Annie," Ingrid told him, elbowing him in his side.

"She's like royalty. How can I not?"

I smiled, shaking my head and turned my attention to Bruce, who had cleared his throat.

"Clark was a simple man. The world may have loved Superman, but she," he turned to me, "was his world. We know it. The world knows it. The Cult knows it, and now so does Steppenwolf. They came after her today. They want her dead."

"We won't let that happen, Bruce," Diana said.

"Does she need a protection detail?" Arthur asked.

"I volunteer." Barry's hand shot up. Diana places a hand on his shoulder, shaking her head. He lowered his hand.

"The world hasn't gotten over Superman's sacrifice, what would be even more devastating to us than destroying the one thing people have left of him?"

All eyes turned to me, and I shifted in my seat. A silent conversation passed between all of them, and I frowned.

"She'll be safe here." Bruce told them, "We only move her when I say."

A sudden sense of not being clued in on what was going on came over me, and I stood up from my seat, moving to lean against the counter near Bruce.

"Bruce, what's going on? Besides your sudden realization that Steppenwolf is aware of me. Why did Barry have a shovel, and what exactly is your plan for Steppenwolf? I heard about the battle in Gotham. You guys couldn't defeat him then. What's changed now?" I crossed my arms and leveled my gaze on him.

Bruce kept his back to me, but I heard his voice, not quite making out what he said.

"What?"

"We're bringing him back, Annie," Bruce turned to me, locking eyes.

"How?" I gasped, "The shovel. You dug him up?"

"Yes, he's here."

"He's here?" Taken aback, my hand flew to my chest, "Did you- is he back?" I asked, keeping the sob low in my throat. Tears threatened to spill, and I glanced at all the people around me.

"I want to see him. I couldn't go to his funeral-they made me follow an empty casket. Bruce, where is he?" I shoved my now shaking body off the island and moved past him to the door. Arthur and Ingrid have stepped aside as I walked past.

"He's still dead, Annie." Bruce's voice cut through me like a knife through flesh, quick and painful.

"I just want to see him."

"I can't let you do that. Ingrid, take her to her room. We leave at midnight."

I stared at Bruce's retreating back, wiping my eyes and sending a sheepish smile to everyone, "Sorry, you guys have probably only ever seen me cry."

All five Meta Humans stared back at me. They all stood tall with soft eyes. Arthur seemed like he was uncomfortable, and Barry was looking at the ground staring at his muddy shoes. Victor's one red eye and one brown eye were trained on my face, but he seemed to be a million miles away. I glanced at Diana, who gave me a nod before she followed Bruce.

"Come on. I have to explain a lot more to you," Ingrid said next to me.

I nodded and followed her down the hall. It was killing me knowing he was in the same building as me and in a few hours would be alive again.

• • •

Not much longer now! Clark and Annie will be reunited soon, but will they be together? What do you think will happen once Clark is alive? Remember, Annie does have Ben.

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