| Superman's Sister | b.w.

3 | t h r e e

3 | Masquerade

AFTER the long and frivolous talk with Lois, she helped Jessica get ready, because Lord knew she needed it. She smoothed out her blue dress and tried to move her pinched toes. Lois clapped her hands together in awe. "You're like my barbie doll. You look incredible J!" She gushed causing Jes to blow a strand of hair out of her face.

"Thanks, Lo." A knock at Jessica's door alarmed her, she snatched her glasses from the coffee table and slapped them onto her face. She composed herself and opened the door to see it was Clark. She slouched her shoulders to see he was in a suit, she was going to slam the door in his face but opted on being peaceful. "The hell are you wearing, Clark?"

The smile on his face faded slightly. "I'm going with you."

"You said you couldn't go, I wouldn't have gotten dressed up if you could." She growled with her finger pointed at him. The man raised his hands up in surrender.

"Turns out, what I'm looking for is going to be there." He noticed the scary glare she was giving him. Maybe he should have just told her he felt bad about treating her badly and wanted to spend more time with her? "I should have let you know, I'm sorry." He apologized, the blue in eyes showing sympathy.

Jessica glared at him, grabbed her purse, and pushed past him. "Netflix and sleep were on my agenda tonight, Clark."

"Be nice to him!" Lois called out but she was too far away to really listen to her.

JESSICA rubbed her pale arm in nervousness, she felt uncomfortable, there were rich people here galore. Her and rich people are too things that definitely do not go. She was surprised that her and Oliver lasted as long as they did.

Clark noticed her state, he never understood why she was so nervous around people. He couldn't really talk anyway, he was the same way. "There's no need to be nervous, Jess."

"I'm not nervous..."

"I can feel it through the bond." She scoffed at herself in her head, she forgot about the bond.

She took a deep breath, wiping her palms on her dress nonchalantly. "I have a really bad feeling."

"That's it?"

"You know, you're really no help."

"Look... I'm here and there's nothing to worry about."

"Yeah, that's such a relief." Clark went to say something else when

Jessica noticed the frenzy of photographers rushing towards the upcoming car. Clark raised a brow. When he saw the man, tall, dark, and brooding, exit his car, he gave a playboy smile, winking at the females fawning over him.

"Who's that?" He asked with a tilt of his head.

Jessica looked to see who her brother was staring at. She rolled her eyes when Bruce sent a wink her way as well. "Well, you're obviously new to the "Let them eat cake" beat." She sighed. "That's Bruce Wayne, the richest playboy of Gotham City." She shrugged her shoulders, grabbing Clark's hand. "Let's go inside."

The two enter the art gala, the warm air hitting Jessica's exposed skin. She gave a contented sigh. Seeming to be just on time, the Library president, Nicky LeBlanc, talks into a microphone. "Philanthropist, bibliophile, true friend of the library of Metropolis. Mr. Lex Luthor." The group applauded as a path was cleared for Lex to hit the stage.

"Me?" He says, embarrassed. "Ah, Okay. Nicky." He kisses her cheek. "You're embarrassing me." As Lex readies himself, Jessica is offered a drink by the waiters but refuses.

Feeling eyes on her, she looks back as she and Bruce stare at each other for a moment before she looks forward again, rolling her eyes at the rude playboy.

"Speech. Speech. Uh, blah, blah, blah. Open bar. The end." Lex tried to joke. "The word Philanthropist comes from the Greek. Meaning a lover of humanity." Lex explained. "It was coined about, 2,500 years ago..."

Bruce, clearly with other plans, talks to a hidden earpiece. "Alright, where am I going, Alfred?"

In the Batcave, Alfred looks at a digital schematic of the mansion. Bruce is represented by a blue line. "Go past the elevator, do a left."

Of course, hearing the little fly like sound, Jessica is clearly listening to the conversation with her enhanced hearing, turning around to see Bruce walking away. Clark went to follow but she stopped him. "Not yet..."

"That's where it must be. It's in the service corridor in the basement. Go down the stairs." Alfred instructed again. Turning her attention back to Lex, she tried to rid herself of the curious whereabouts of Bruce Wayne.

"Prometheus went with us, and he ruined Zeus' plan to destroy mankind and for that, he was given a thunderbolt. Chooo! Hm. That seems unfair. On a serious note, the library of Metropolis..." Lex Luther stopped his speech when his eyes landed on Jessica's vibrant blue ones. She raised an eyebrow in suspicion, is the bad feeling coming from him? Maybe she was just being paranoid. This was his gala after all.

When both of them locked eyes with each other again after Jessica pulled away, she felt a connection. It wasn't one of those, I love you let's get married. It was a, I will destroy everything you love, vibe. Although, Lex could be getting a totally different vibe from her as well.

Lex shakes his head, trying to get the beautiful eyes out of his head. "But, at one time, Dad could not either. No, my father could not afford the books, so... He had to root through the garbage for yesterday's newspaper." He makes eye contact with her again, making Jessica uncomfortable. People around her are still in disbelief of the nonsense Lex is spewing. "Books are knowledge, and knowledge is power. And I am... Heh, heh, heh, no. I, umm. No, what am I? What was I saying? No. The bittersweet pain among man is having knowledge with no power. Because... Because that is paradoxical! And umm..." He clears his throat. "Thank you for coming. Please, drink, it's free."

People applaud for Lex in slight bewilderment at what just happened. That soon begins to fade away when people begin to mingle. Secretly, Jess listened in on the voice from earlier, again. "Well, while you wait, why don't you go mingle with the lady in the blue dress." He chuckled to himself. "In your dreams Alfred." Jessica noticed she was the only woman in a blue dress. He was talking about her!

As "Night and Day" begins to play, Bruce enters the room while taking the last glass of a Martini from a passing waiter, and Jessica goes in another direction as she sees him coming closer, dragging her brother along with her. "Stay here." Clark instructs and approaches Bruce. She swore to God almighty, sooner or later he was going to end up having a restraining order one day.

"Mr. Wayne?" Clark calls out. "Mr. Wayne? Clark Kent, Daily Planet." He introduced himself after he caught Bruce's attention. The two shook hands out of habit.

"Oh, my foundation has already issued a statement in support of the..." He snapped his fingers. "books." Bruce explained with this attitude that had almost a carefree feel to him.

To Jessica, it was almost a douche-bagginess that caused the dislike immediately. She decided to walk past, giving her brother the signal to get out of there before it was too late but was unable to when Bruce followed her fit form across the room.

Clark watched as Bruce undressed her with his eyeballs. He was a hair away from gauging his eyes out. His sister deserved more class than that! "Sir?" Clark grit out.

Bruce blinked, looking back at Clark. "Wow." He whistled. "Pretty girl. Bad habit. Don't quote me, alright?"

Clark decided to jump straight to the questions. "What's your position on the bat vigilante in Gotham?" Bruce raised an eyebrow, looking back at the reporter that asked him a question before Clark got there.

"Daily Planet?" He asked. "Wait, do I own this one? Or was that the other guy?"

"Civil liberties have been trampled on in your city. Good people living in fear."

Bruce's smile dropped, this reporter was a little too close to home with his questions. "Don't believe everything you hear, son."

"I've seen it, Mr. Wayne. He thinks he's above the law."

The playboy scoffed. "The Daily Planet criticizing those who think they're above the law is a little hypocritical, wouldn't you say?" He stuffed his hands in his expensive suit pockets. "Considering every time your hero saves a cat out of a tree, you write a puff piece editorial, about the aliens who, if they wanted to, could burn the whole place down. There wouldn't be a damn thing we can do to stop them."

Jessica couldn't help but scoff. He sounded so ignorant, they would never do that. They were there to save the day when no one else could. Why couldn't people like him understand that?

"Most of the world doesn't share your opinion, Mr. Wayne." Clark said.

"Maybe it's the Gotham City in me," he shrugged. "we just have a bad history with freaks dressed like clowns."

Jessica sees Lex Luthor arrive to the two men who were ready to tear each others throats out. "Boys!" He exclaimed with a wide smile. "Bruce Wayne meets Clark Kent. Ah, I love it! I love bringing people together! How are we?" Lex laughs happily, shaking Bruce's hand first.

"Lex." Bruce says dryly.

"Hello, good." He turns to Clark, extends his hand out again. "Hi, hello. Lex. It is a pleasure..." Clark presses his hand a little too hard. "Ow! Wow, that is a good grip!" Lex smacks Clark on the chest playfully. "You should, not pick a fight with this person." He laughs at his own joke, not intimidated by the two men, who were clearly taller than him, at all. Jessica slowly made her way towards the men, she needed to intervene before words were exchanged. Not that it hasn't already with their heavy glares towards each other. She caught sight of Lex staring at her again as he called out to her. "Excuse me Ms.? a quick word?" He asked with a charming smile.

Finishing her walk to the three men with her head held high, Jessica gave a shy, yet, fake smile. "Hello Mr. Luthor," She looked at Bruce with a certain distaste in her mouth. "Mr. Wayne." Bruce gave a slight smirk.

"No need for formality, call me Bruce." He flirted as he shook her hand but Jessica didn't buy it, knowing he had a reputation for flirting games. Jessica couldn't describe a relationship she's been in because she pushes them away. It's hard for an alien girl in the dating world.

It hurts a man's ego.

"Ha! So, after all these years, we've finally got you over to Metropolis?" Lex asked, drawing Bruce's attention from the beauty beside him.

"Well, I thought I come drink you dry." He shrugged. Jessica resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Well, you're welcome." Lex chuckled. "You should hop the hub more often though, I would love to show you my labs. Maybe we could, partner up on something?" He shrugged. "My R&D is up to all sorts of no good."

"That's 7 minutes. Looks like the transfer's complete." Jessica and, undoubtedly, Clark were again tickled by the hidden conversation, as Jessica and Bruce exchanged uncomfortable looks.

Clark noticed the obvious tension between Jessica and Bruce and cleared his throat. He placed his large hand on her upper back and looked between Bruce and Lex. "I'm afraid we're going to have to cut this short Mr. Wayne, Mr. Luther."

Bruce shot Jessica a wink. "Next time." Before Clark could get away, Lex grabbed Jessica's hand and spun away with her onto the dance floor.

"W-Well Mr. Luthor, you sure know how to woo a woman." She stuttered, adjusting her glasses before they fell off her face again. She might need to get them a little smaller, curse her small head.

Lex chuckled and looked up at her, being probably about two inches smaller than her with her heels on. "Why thank you, I just saw you in the crowd and I just had to ask for a dance."

"Well, more like whisk away."

Lex chuckled. "I've seen this pretty face before." He smiled.

"I, um, was acquainted with your father." Jessica said with a small smile. She remembered all the good he helped her with when she was out defending Metropolis. "He was a good man, to me, to say the least."

Lex frowned at her words. "Then you didn't truly know my father. It's a shame you were his favorite. He always needed a favor, just be glad he didn't ask for one before he died." Lex spun her around, which resulted in Jessica trying to get away but only falling into the arms of another person.

"My apologies." It was more feminine, Jessica looked to see a beautiful woman with big bold red lips and a very gorgeous outfit.

"No I'm sorry, I can't seem to stop bumping into people tonight." Jessica sighed as the two women danced.

"Trust me, you're quite gracious on your feet while dancing."

"Thank you but, men in business suits are just a little intimidating for me." Jessica chuckled, embarrassed.

The lady gave a chuckle and twirled her around. "Men are like little boys, they fear what they do not understand." She dipped Jessica with such grace. "Especially a beautiful woman like yourself." Jessica felt herself blush at the comment. If this woman was flirting with her, Jessica was down for it.

"I'm Jessica, Jessica Kent."

"Diana Prince, a pleasure to meet you." The beeping of her watch caught her attention as she pulled away. "I apologize, I have somewhere to be. It was nice meeting you Jessica, I have a feeling we will meet each other again very soon." She flashed a perfect pearly white smile and spun on her heel, leaving Jessica on the dance floor by herself.

"Mind if I cut in?" Jessica looked behind her to see Bruce with a small smirk on his face. She straightened her figure and smoothed out her dress.

"No thank you, I have dignity for myself."

"I'm not what everyone claims to be."

"That, Bruce Wayne, is hard to believe." Bruce moved closer to Jessica, she could smell the mint and Bourbon on his breath. It reminded her of her father, just more hardworking and humble.

"You're a reporter, I'll let you ask however many questions you want for only one small dance." He asked as his hands started to slowly move to her hips. He knew she wouldn't say no, all-female reporters who were looking to get the 'big scoop' on what it's like to be Bruce Wayne.

In Bruce's eyes as of right now, she was just like everyone else. Jessica raised a brow and gripped his wrist with her small hand. "Excuse me, I wouldn't suppose you think that playboy charm is working on me?"

His eyes darted to his wrist and back up to her blue eyes. "Is it?"

"No, it's doing the complete opportunity, actually." She hissed angrily. She pushed his wrist away from her and picked up her dress so she could walk and not stumble over her feet. She spun on her black heels and went to march away so she could go home and finally get out of those toe pinching shoes.

"You know, every woman I've come across, they've never been like you." Bruce spoke, actually enjoying the sass he was receiving from her. It was different, tempting, very attractive.

She turned around and looked to Bruce, her large curls framing her face as it bounced dramatically. "Oh Mr. Wayne, you've never met a woman like me." With those final words, Jessica began to elegantly walk off towards her brother who looked as if he was going to pop a vein. "Breathe brother, before you have a cow."

Clark noticed Bruce going down the same exact set of stairs during Lex's speech. "Stay here, I'm going to follow him."

"But Clark!"

"Stay!" Jessica watched as Clark calmly followed after Bruce, not wanting to give anything away. Jessica crossed her arms with her nose scrunched up and used her enhanced hearing to listen in on her brother's footsteps.

Suddenly, the cries of the tv caught her attention. "...Un incendio mortal en una fábrica ha interrumpido la celebración del Día de los Muertos en Juárez. A deadly factory fire has interrupted the Day of the Dead celebration in Juarez." Jessica couldn't help the quiet gasp that left her lips. She was thankful she took that spanish class in high school. "No puedo creer que van a dejar morir a esa pobre chica. I can't believe they're going to let that poor girl die." As Clark adjusted his tie to leave, Jessica was walking out of the gala, letting hair down from it's hairclip.

AS the factory crumbles to ashes in Juarez, Superman glides down carrying the girl who was trapped in the fire along with Superwoman carrying a little girl unconscious by the smoke in her lungs. The people watching take out their hats in reverence.

As they kneel before a very thankful woman to deliver her children back, the crowd, many of whom are dressed in Dia de los Muertos skull make-up, extend their hands in adoration.

After that night, news media everywhere was broadcasting the big questions. One, in particular, was "The Supertwin Question", featuring the opinion of filmmaker Vikram Gandhi.

"We, as a population on this planet, have been looking for a savior. 90% of people believe in a higher power. And every religion believes in some sort messianic figure. And when this savior character actually comes to Earth, we want to make him abide by our rules? We have to understand that this is a paradigm shift. We have to start thinking beyond politics."

As Superman drags a stranded boat in the middle of the freezing Arctic by its anchor, author Andrew Sullivan is talking to GBS with the caption: SUPERMAN'S ACTIONS ARE POLITICAL.

"Are there any moral constraints on this person? We have international law. On this Earth, every act is a political act."

On PBS, Charlie Rose is interviewing Senator Finch. "Is it really surprising that the most powerful figures in the world should be figures of controversy?" He asked, his pen resting on his bottom lip.

Senator Finch had her legs crossed, her hands locked over her knee. "To have an individual engaging in the state-level interventions should give us all pause."

As Superwoman saves a spaceship after its rocket explodes on liftoff, blogger Glen Woodburn talks to Metropolis News, Channel 8. "Human beings have a horrible track record of following people with great power, down paths that lead to huge human monstrosities." Glen explained. "We have always created icons in our own image. What we've done is, we project ourselves onto them. The fact is, maybe they're not some sort of devil or Jesus character. Maybe they're just some people trying to do the right thing?"

In a small town in Texas, Superwoman saved a little girl from being run over by a bus. She lets the girl run to her mother where a group of people begin to crowd around the woman.

One of the bystanders threw a glass bottle at the back of her head. Jessica used her body to shield the glass from hitting the baby in the stroller.

They began to yell hateful words towards her like slut, for the length of her skirt, Alien scum, for being an extraterrestrial, and Satan for having powers to help people.

In the same segment where Vikram Gandhi has spoken in, physicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson speaks. Amidst a horrid flood, a family on the ceiling of a house have painted the Supertwin emblem, the emblem of hope.

They look into the sky, emotionally, as the twins float nearby, showing they have come to their rescue. "We're talking about a being whose very existence challenges our own sense of priority in the universe. If you go back to Copernicus, where he restored the sun and the center of the known universe, displacing Earth. And you get to Darwinian evolution and you find out, we're not special on this Earth we're just one among other life forms. And now we learned that we're not even special in the entire universe because there is Superman and Superwoman. There they are, aliens, among us. We're not alone."

The program switches again to reveal Senator again. Charlie asks Finch the most asked question. "Are you, as a United States Senator, personally comfortable saying to a grieving parent, "Superman, or woman, could've saved your child, but on principle, we did not want him to act."

The Senator gave a deep sigh. "I'm not saying they shouldn't act. I'm saying they shouldn't act unilaterally."

"What are we talking about here then?" Charlie grunted. "Must there be a Superman? A Superwoman?"

Finch shrugged her shoulders, having no place to banish anyone. "There is."