Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, except for Dannee Tiril, they belong to DC Comics! I did this just for the fun of it, not making any money, so don't sue me DC!

Cast: Mon-El (Lar Gand), Superboy (Clark Kent/Kal-El), Ultra Boy (Jo Nah), Phantom Girl (Tinya Wazzo), Saturn Girl (Imra Ardeen), Duo Damsel (Luornu Durgo), Princess Projectra (Jeckie), Karate Kid (Val Armorr), Cosmic Boy (Rokk Krinn), Dannee Tiril

Setting: Classic Adventure Comics era. This is the sequel to Matchmaker, Matchmaker. Mon, Supes, Shady, and Lu defeated Mordru and his minions, and have returned to the thirtieth century. It's a few days after their return, and the rest of the Legionnaires are about to learn that more than just fighting Mordru happened. This is the story of their various reactions.

Warning: Contains graphic m/f sex!

  Part 1

Legion HQ:

Superboy arrives from Smallville. "Hey, Superboy! You're back already!?! Seems like you only left yesterday!"

"Yeah, Jo, I, umm, I have to talk to Mon."

"Anything I can help you with? Mon, Cos, Gim and Imra are off on a mission. Some problem at the Tiril Space Circus Troupe. They should be back soon though."

"I'll wait for Mon, Jo. It's, umm, personal."

"Personal? I didn't know Mon had a personal life! I thought the Legion was his life!"

"Yeah, but that's changing, at least I hope it is! He and Shady had, umm, a lot of fun in Smallville! And I was hoping it was the start of something good for both of them! But especially for Mon!"

"Wait a nano! Do you mean that Mon is actually showing interest in someone, as in a romantic interest!?! POPPING PLANETS! I didn't think he's ever shown that kind of... I mean he's never... WOW That's great!!"

"Yep, that's why I came back so soon. I can't wait to find out if... eerr, do you know if he and Shady... umm, of course not or you wouldn't have been so surprised."

"Well between Legion business and, umm, Tinya, I haven't really noticed. But c'mon, maybe one of the others'll know something I don't, wouldn't be the first time! Or you could just ask Shady if they've had any, umm, fun since they got back."

"Eeerr, no, I don't think I'll ask her, Mon'd have a fit! But maybe one of the others will know, after all, if either of them was scheduled for either monitor duty or to be on stand by for it, they'd have to arrange for someone to cover for them."

The two go into the HQ, looking for the others they go to the rec room. There they find Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Princess Projectra, Karate Kid, Invisible Kid, Element Lad, Duo Damsel, and Bouncing Boy.

"Hey, everyone, look who's back!!"

"Superboy! Welcome back buddy! Is something wrong that you've come back so soon?"

"No, nothing wrong, Lyle, just wanted to see Mon. Umm, do any of you know if, umm, someone had to cover for him or Shady on monitor duty?"

"No I don't know."

"Same here, sorry."

"Afraid not."

"Haven't a clue, Supes, sorry."

"Superboy, why would one of us have to cover for Mon on monitor duty? Or Shady, for that matter?"

"Umm, Jeckie, Mon and Shady went out on a couple of dates in Smallville. And Superboy was hoping Mon'd keep on dating her when we came home."

"WHAT!?! LU, HOW COULD YOU KEEP THAT TO YOURSELF!?!"

"Sorry, Tinya, but I, well, I just didn't think, umm, Mon isn't too fond of being gossiped about you know! I figured you'd all find out about it soon enough when and if he and she, errr, you know!"

"Actually, Superboy, neither of them has had monitor duty or been on stand by status for monitor duty, since the four of you returned. Though Mon's scheduled to be on stand by for it tonight."

"Umm, thanks, Lyle, so there's no way anyone other than the two of them know anything."

"That's true, but Mon's team should be back soon. If you want to ask Shady, she's in the gym, I think."

"Thanks, Val, but I think I'll wait for Mon to get back."

#########################################

Elsewhere in Metropolis:

"Thank you, Legionnaires! You've saved the day! We couldn't have our last performance tonight if you hadn't recaptured the escaped animals! Please accept these free passes to tonight's show!" Dannee Tiril, the owner/ringmaster of the Tiril Space Circus Troupe hands two free passes to each of the four Legionnaires.

All four: "Umm, thank you sir."

"Nonsense! We'll be honored to have each of you and a guest here tonight!"

"Well, c'mon, Imra, Mon, Gim, we better head back to HQ." They fly away from Dannee, headed back home.

"Well, Imra, you think Garth and Lydda will enjoy the circus tonight?"

"Yes, Cos, and so will whoever Mon gives his passes to."

"Actually Imra, I'm planning on using these passes, not giving them away."

"You are!?! Who's the lucky person?"

"Umm, Shady."

"SHADY!?! B-but she's got a crush on Braini-- eer, I mean that's great! Glad to hear it!"

"That's all right, Cos, I know she had a crush on Brainiac 5, when she first joined. But, well, she's gotten over it, OK?"

"Sure, Mon, if you say so. Wait a nano, aren't you on stand by for monitor duty tonight!?! You can't go out on a date tonight!"

"Sure I can, Gim, I'll just do like the rest of you do, get someone to cover for me. Hmm, I've covered for Sun Boy often enough, high time he returned the favor!"

#################################

As Mon, Cos, Gim, and Imra fly back to Legion HQ:

"Umm, Mon, what'll you do if Dirk won't cover for you?"

"I doubt he'll refuse, Gim. Considering how often I'vecovered for him! I'd have to check the records, but I'd be willing to bet the only times he's actually done his shifts at monitor duty in the last year, were the times I was off on a mission! Unless he got someone else to cover for him!"

"HAHAHA! Good point, Mon! I'm just surprised you agreed to cover for him so often! I know how much you hate monitor duty!"

"Umm, what can I say, Imra? Dirk's a very persuasive guy!"

"Well, I hope you'll be as persuasive getting him to cover for you as he is getting you to cover for him!"

"So do I, Rokk, so do I!"

The four arrive at Legion HQ. Mon leaves the others to find Sun Boy. He finds Dirk in his quarters. *BZZZ*

"Come in, whoever you are."

"Hey, Dirk! I need you to cover for me tonight."

"Cover for you, Mon? Ohh, yeah, you're on stand by for monitor duty! B-but I, eerr, had planned to, ummm, go to Madam Xiang's House of Pleasure tonight!"

"Well, I have covered for you often enough! Besides, I'm not planning on being out all night long! Though I suppose that could change. You can go to Madam Xiang's after I get back. And if Shady doesn't want to go out tonight, you won't have to cover for me at all!"

"SHADY!?! You're dating...since when!?! You've never shown...I thought you were asex-- umm, sorry!" Mon's glare stops Dirk's ramblings. "Eeerr, sorry, Mon! Sure I'll cover for you, like you said, you've done it often enough for me! Glad you're finally getting a sex life, err, sorry! Don't glare at me like that! I'm a loud mouthed idiot, all right! Can't seem to keep my foot out of my mouth!"

"So I noticed! We aren't all as obsessed with sex as you are Dirk! I'll try to be back early enough for you to go to Madam Xiang's, wouldn't want you to have a celebate night! Thanks for agreeing to cover for me, now I'll go and see if it'll be necessary or not! Bye, Dirk."

"You're welcome, bye, Mon."

Mon leaves to find Shady.

#################################

While Mon was talking to Dirk, Cos, Gim, and Imra join Superboy and the others in the rec room:

"Hey, Supes! When'd you get back? Guess what!?! Mon's going to ask Shady to go to the Tiril Space Circus tonight!"

"YEEHAH, I KNEW IT! Are you sure about this Gim?"

"Sure, Superboy." Gim explains how he knows that Mon's asking Shady to the circus.

"Well, if Dirk refuses to cover for him, I'll cover for Mon, myself!"

"WOW, Superboy, you must really want Mon to go out on this date!"

"Yes, Cos, I do! Mon needs more than just the Legion in his life! He needs a personal life outside the Legion! And not just exploring space by himself!"

"Well, it looks like you're about to get your wish, Superboy, if Shady agrees to go, that is!"

"She will Imra, they went out together twice in Smallville!"

"THEY WHAT!?! H-he didn't mention that! No wonder he's sure she's over her crush on Brainy!"

"She had a crush on Brainy, Cos!?! I didn't know that! But I'd say she's over it! She certainly seemed happy dancing with Mon!"

"M-Mon DANCES!?! I didn't think he knew how to dance! Saturn's Rings! Just when you think you know someone!"

"He didn't Imra, my Ma and Pa taught him and Shady how to foxtrot and jitterbug, but her make-up wouldn't stay on for the jitterbug."

"Jitterbug!?! Foxtrot!?! Gaping Girdzaks, what are those!?!"

Dances, Chuck. The most popular in my time, but I guess nobody dances them anymore. I don't know if Mon knows any thirtieth century dances."

###############################

Meanwhile, Mon's found Shady in the gym, along with Light Lass and Star Boy:

"Hey, Mon! C'mon in, the waters fine!"

"Not right now, Thom, maybe later."

He looks up at Shady, who's doing a gymnastics routine on the rings thinking: "Great Galaxies! She's beautiful! Just hope she really is over Brainy! Ahh, well, if she's not I'll just have to help her forget him." Aloud: "Hey, Shady, got a nano?"

"For you, Mon? Always! What's up? Besides myself?"

Mon flies up to Shady: "Well, the, umm, owner of the space circus, eerrr, gave each of us two passes to tonight's show. Ahh, I know it's short notice but I, ahh..."

"Are you asking me to go with you tonight?"

"Eeerr, yes I am, but I'm doing it badly aren't I?"

*Giggle* "Yes, you are, and yes I'd love to go out with you tonight."

"Great! I'll, umm, make the arrangements. I thought we could, umm, go out to dinner, if you'd like. Do you want to?"

"Yes, indeed."

"All right! Do you want to eat dinner before or after the circus?"

"Well, after, if it's all right?"

"That's fine, Shady, whatever you want. The circus starts at seven, so we'll leave here at six forty-five, that'll give us plenty of time."

"Cos's taking Lydda, Garth and Imra are going, and I'm not sure who Gim's going to take. Cos, Lydda, Garth, and Imra will definately go together, would you like to join them or, umm..."

"W-well I-I'd prefer we, umm, go by ourselves, actually. We've never been out just the two of us!"

"Sure, Shady, whatever you say."

"B-but, Mon, I thought you're on stand by for moni..."

"I've arranged for Sun Boy to cover for me. See you, I'll let you get back to your routine."

"All right. Wait... about tonight, do we go in uniform or in civvies?"

"Well, civvies would allow us some semblance of privacy. If we go in uniform, we may be too busy signing autographs to see the show or eat!"

"Civvies it is, then! See you later."

Mon leaves, Light Lass and Star Boy staring after him, their mouths gaping open: "Spinning Stars! Did I just hear MON-EL ask Shady for a date!?! Ayla, tell me I heard what I thought I heard!"

"You heard it, the same as I did, Thom! Soaring Satellites! If I hadn't heard it, I wouldn't believe it! Isn't it wonderful, I didn't think he'd ever."

While the two have been talking, Shady having finished her routine, and hearing her and Mon's names, goes to join the two in the pool. "Ever what, Ayla?"

"SHADY! Well, Mon's never asked anyone out on a date. EVER!"

"Hmmm, interesting! But this will be our third date, though only the second he's asked for."

"HUH? Bouncing Bolides! What are you talking about Shady!?!"

She explains about their dates in Smallville.

"Galloping Galaxies! How could Lu keep quiet about that!?! And you! You didn't say a word!"

"Well, Ayla, I am the newest member, I haven't really gotten that close to any of you yet. Beside, though he mentioned wanting to continue dating when we got back here, well, I didn't know if he meant it or not."

"HA HA HA HA! Ohh, Shady, Mon always means what he says! Y-you can bet your life on his word!"

"Indeed!?! That's good to know, Thom."

#################################

Legion HQ, Mon-El's quarter's:

Mon's rummaging through his clothes, muttering to himself: "Blast it! Only clothes I have that fit me properly to go out in public are my uniforms! Everything else is too short! Figures, haven't bought any civvies since I first got out of the zone, and I've grown a couple of inches since then! Guess I'll have to go out and buy something to wear tonight." *BZZZT* "Come in, Superboy!"

"Hey, Mon! I hear you've got a date tonight!"

*Chuckle* "Yes, I've got somewhere to go, but nothing to wear!"

"Well, we can't have that now can we? So you want company for your shopping spree?"

"Spree!?!"

"Yes, Mon, spree, you're obviously going to need a new wardrobe, unless you want to wear the same outfit every time you take her out! And do you need me to cover for you tonight?"

"HA HA HA, hadn't thought about it, but I guess you're right. Dirk's covering for me tonight, but you can come along now if you want to."

"Sure, always wanted to see a thirtieth century clothes store." The two leave, on their way out they encounter Dirk; Mon tells him he will be covering Mon's shift that night.

#################

A couple of hours later they return to HQ, both carrying multiple packages:

"I can't believe I let you and the salesperson talk me into buying this much!"

"You needed this much, Mon; you said yourself, except for your uniforms, you didn't have anything!" They meet Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl, and Shrinking Violet in the hallway:

"Well! Someone went on quite a shopping spree!" *Pout* "And you didn't invite me along!?! I have excellent taste you know!"

"I-I'm s-sure Mon and Superboy know you have excellent taste, Nura. B-but buying make-up, beauty products, and female clothing is very different from buying men's clothes!"

"True enough, Vi, but how do you know they were at a men's clothing store?"

"Isn't Zaronski's a men's clothing store, Cham? That's the store name on the packages!"

"Good deduction, Vi; the question is why would either of them need to buy clothes. I've never seen either of them out of uniform."

"I've outgrown all of my clothes, Reep, so I bought new ones."

"C'mon, Mon, you need to put these away and decide what you'll wear for your date tonight." As the two head for Mon's quarters, the three stare behind them, Nura and Cham open mouthed:

"Ohh, Mon must have a date with Shady tonight!"

"Wait a nano, how do you know that Vi!?!"

"Yes, Vi, start talking!"

She explains how she knows.

"Great Galaxies! How could Lu keep quiet about that! I realize she and I aren't the best of friends, but still!"

"Now, Nura, I'm sure Lu had her reasons for keeping quiet about this! It's wonderful news, though! I'd think you'd be happy for them, especially Mon!!"

"Ohh, I am, Cham, really! Mon needs something besides just the Legion in his life! He'll never get over his nightmarish experiences in the Phantom Zone otherwise! Now all we have to do is get you a datemate, Cham!"

"No, Nura, I don't think so! I'll find my own, thank you very much!"

"It is great that Mon's finally showing an interest in someone, though! I'm happy for him! He deserves some happiness in his life!"

Both: "Yes, Vi, he certainly does!"

###############

Meanwhile in Mon's quarters:

"Everything's put away, Mon, have you decided what to wear tonight?"

"Not really, but it won't be red and blue or have a cape."

"Ready for lunch, Mon?"

"Sure, let's go."

The two exit and go to the commissary. There they find Garth, Imra, Cos, Tasmia, and Lydda. After getting their lunches, they join the others.

"So, Mon, Shady tells us you two are going solo to the circus tonight, and to dinner afterwards."

"That's right, Garth, assuming we aren't sent out on a mission beforehand."

"HAHAHA! That's for sure, Mon! So, anyone know who Gim's taking?"

At that moment Gim, Jo, and Tinya enter:

"Actually, I gave my passes to these two, I'm not fond of the circus."

"So, are the eight of us going together--or Mon and Shady are going solo, Jo, but you two can join us, if you want to."

Jo looks at Tinya, who nods assent: "Sure, Garth, that'll work. But why the solo, Mon?"

"Because I want it that way, Jo! This is our third date, but we've never been out just the two of us!"

"Ohh, OK, Shady, makes sense. You two have fun, maybe we'll all go out together some other time."

"Yes, that would be fun, Tinya."

###############

Later, Shadow Lass's quarters:

*BZZZZT* "Come in, Mon."

"You ready, Shady? WOW, you look great!"

"Thank you, so do you. I've never seen you out of uniform before, except for your Bob Cobb disguise. I like the aquamarine, black, and silver on you."

"Thanks, I like the multi-shades of green and blue in your dress too."

"Are we flying to the circus or...?"

"I've rented an aero-car, I may buy one later. Shall we go?"

The drive to the circus grounds is brief. They arrive early enough to enjoy the side show and buy some refreshments. After taking their seats for the show: "HAHAHA! Ohh, Mon, this is such fun! We don't have--what did you call them? Oh, yes, clowns!--on Talok VIII. And this cotton candy is delicious! Though how a plant's seed ball can taste so good is strange to me."

"Umm, Shady, cotton candy isn't made out of cotton fibers, it's made from spun sugar." "Do you also know how so many clowns can get into such a small vehicle?"

"Well, no, I don't, maybe they're from Imsk? Or, umm, x-ray vision shows a trap door in the floor of both the vehicle and the floor of the room. The clowns are climbing into the vehicle from under the room."

"The trainer certainly has fine control over the Zoonian night tigers."

"Yes, he has. Do you have a preference for dinner?"

"Umm, I haven't been here long enough to know the restaurants. Do you know a good, umm, seafood place?"

"Sure, Shady, but, umm, the one I have in mind is, eerr, in Hawaii."

"That's too far for the aero-car, isn't it?"

"Yes, but I'll return it, then fly us there, if you want."

"Ohh, yes, that will be fine, if you want to do it that way, Mon. What's the name of the restaurant?"

"Mama Kanaluai's Poi Palace."

"Poi?"

"It's a Hawaiian dish, made from a root."

"Sounds interesting."

"Trust me, you'll like Mama and her cooking."

###############

Later at Mama's Poi Palace:

"MON-EL!! It's been too long! How's my favorite Daxamite doing? And who's this lovely lady?"

"I'm fine, Mama Kanaluai. Tasmia Malor, meet Mama Kanaluai. She says I'm her favorite Daxamite, which since I'm the only Daxamite she's ever meet, isn't that hard."

"Don't listen to him! He's my favorite customer and Legionnaire! Saved my life and my restaurant! Best day of my life, the day he came flying by and diverted the lava flow! Old Pele wanted my poor little restaurant, but--"

"Pele!?! Who or what is Pele?"

"Ancient Hawaiian goddess, Tasmia."

"That's right! But enough of that; you're here for some seafood, right!?!"

"That's right, Mama Kanaluai, what's good today?"

"Well, now, we have some fine Preztoran Zofa fish, and Lallorian Shrimpoids."

"Sounds good, Mama."

As the affable Mama leads them to their table, Tasmia looks at the Polynesian decor in wonder. "Umm, Mon, why did she put these flower necklaces on us? And what do the wooden masks represent?"

"The flower leis are a traditional Hawaiian greeting gift, Tasmia. The masks are various Hawaiian and Polynesian gods or spirits, I think."

"Here's your table, you need anything you just let me know!"

"Thanks, we will, Mama."

"So, Mon, umm, you never talk about yourself or your family. I know you were born in the twentieth century, but that's all."

"Well, what do you want to know Shady? I don't know anything about your family either, though I think--is Shadow Kid a relative of yours? I met him about a year ago."

"Yes, he's my cousin, Grev Malor. My mother is Tarnia Tolarn, my father was Tiril Malor. My grandfather was Sarvyn Malor. Grev's the closest thing I have to a sibling. What about you?"

"Umm, my father was Kel Gand, mother was Marissa Dannee. I had five brothers and two sisters. In birth order were: Kol, Del, Maroz, Elkor, and Zstev were my brothers. My sisters were Lorisel and Kelina. Kol and Lorisel were my older siblings. Kelina was my twin sister, ninety seconds younger than I and the rest--well that's self explanatory."

"Ancestors! From the little I've learned about the rest of the Legion's families, you had the largest! Depending on how the succeeding generations did, you may have more relatives than the rest of us combined!"

"Probably, don't know for sure. Since I joined the Legion, just about every Daxamite with the same surname as mine has at least enquired if they might be related to me. Most aren't though; I've meet a few who are related to me but I'm, eerr, not really close to any of them. Superboy's the closest thing I have to a sibling now."

"Then the Kents are the closest thing you have to parents?"

"Umm, yes."

"Here's your food, enjoy!"

"Thanks, Mama."

"Umm, this Zofa fish is delicious! We don't have seafood like this on Talok VIII!"

"We have a similar tasting species on Daxam."

"Why don't your people export--oohh, I guess it would give most people a digestive problem!?!"

"Exactly, Shady, except for Superboy, Supergirl, myself and a few others. I doubt if even Matter-Eater Lad could digest it here on Earth."

"Umm, maybe someday we'll go to Daxam, then I can try it."

"Sure, someday Shady, someday." The two continue to talk as they enjoy their meal. A drum roll announces the floor show.

"What type of dance is that, Mon?"

"It's a hula dance, Shady, there're many different hulas, each pantomimes a Polynesian/Hawaiian legend or oral history."

"It's beautiful!"

Looking at her instead of the dancers: "Yes."

###############

Meanwhile, back at Legion HQ:

In the monitor board room, Dirk is getting restless, muttering to himself: "Blast! The rest all came back hours ago! Guess I won't make it to Madame Xiang's tonight!" At that moment Matter-Eater Lad walks in, having just returned from leave on his home world.

"Hey, Dirk! I'm back! What're you doing on monitor duty? Usually, you get Mon to cover for you!"

"I'm covering for Mon! He went out on a date with Shady tonight, but they should have been back hours ago!" "Great Galaxies! Mon's dating Shady!?! That's fantastic! Glad he's finally showing an interest in something or someone besides the Legion and space exploration!" As the two continue to talk, Superboy walks in.

"Hey, Tenz, Dirk. So Mon still hasn't come back? Great!! He and Shady must really be having a great time!"

"Yeah, glad someone is, Supes."

"What's the matter, Dirk? You don't begrudge Mon, do you? He's covered for you so many times, I bet you've lost count!"

"I know Supes, it's just--he said he'd be back fairly early! I, well, I had plans of my own tonight, but looks like I can forget it, now."

"C'mon, Dirk! If Mon promised he'd be back early, he'd have been back by now, and you know it!"

"Yeah, I know, Tenz, he said he might be back early enough, so I guess it just didn't work out."

"Tell you what, Dirk. You take off, I'll cover the rest of Mon's shift."

"Great!! Thanks, Superboy!"

#################

Hawaii:

Mon and Shady are walking along a beach, having enjoyed dinner and the floor show at Mama Kanaluai's. The sun is just beginning to rise, seemingly out of the ocean.

"Ooh, it's as beautiful as you said it would be, Mon!"

"Glad you're enjoying it, Shady. Umm, we'll, eerr, if you want to that is, umm, do something, umm, sometime soon?"

"Yes, I I'd like that very much!"

"Great! You think about what you want to do, if there's something you'd really like to do or some place you'd really like to visit,and that's what we'll do."

"I'm looking forward to it! And I'll let you know right away, though you know what this planet has to offer much better than I do."

"That's fine Shady, but we better head back to Metropolis. It's getting late, or early depending on your point of view."

*YAWN* "Ooh, excuse me. You're right of course. I hope all remains quiet today, I'll have a chance to take a nap!"

*CHUCKLE* "Sorry, Shady. I should have gotten you home earlier! Sometimes I forget the rest of you need more sleep than I do."

"No need to apologize, Mon! I could have insisted we end the evening earlier, but I was enjoying myself soo much I just didn't care about losing sleep! I'm what the Terrans call a, umm, what is the term? Ohh, yes! A night owl! Back home on Talok VIII, I'd often sleep mostly during the daylight hours and stay up all night!"

"All right, Shady, if you say so. C'mon let's go." Lifting her in his arms: "I had a great time Shady, and I'm looking forward to many more evenings and days like it."

"So am I Mon, so am I."

###############

Hours earlier at Madame Xiang's House of Pleasure, Sun Boy arrives for a little fun.

"Ahh, hello, Sun Boy! It has been too long, young sir! What will be your pleasure tonight? You want a specific girl and scenario, or do you wish to allow my humble self to make the choice for you?"

"Hmm, hadn't really though about it Madame. Do you have a new girl or scenario? I think I'll let you surprise me tonight."

"Very well, young sir." Turning to one of her girls: "Moontigress, take Master Dirk to the Xanadu scenario." Turning to Dirk: "This is a scenario of the Pleasure Palace harem rooms of Kublai Khan. In it you, young master, are Kublai Khan, and Moontigress is your current favorite concubine, though if you wish I can send more of my girls into the scenario with you."

"Umm, a harem scenario should have more than one concubine, so I'll leave it to you, Madame."

"Very good, young master."

Turning to her waiting girls: "Dannella, Moonkitten, Jazmina, you shall go as well! I expect the four of you to make this a night to remember for the young master! Young sir, if you, umm, need anything to enhance your, umm, stamina, eerr, I do not mean to disparage your, umm, that is you have never tried four in one night, umm."

*CHUCKLE* "Thank you for the offer, Madame, but I won't be needing it! I'm, umm, quite, eerr, up to the task."

Madame Xiang bows to Dirk: "As you wish young master. I meant no offense or disrespect! I merely wished to ensure your full enjoy of the scenario this evening. Now girls, I said earlier that Moontigress would have the part of favorite, but it is for Master Dirk to decide what order he will have his pleasure of each of you. Though I'm sure he will see that each of you shall also experience pleasure."

The girls bow to Madame Xiang and gathering Dirk into their midst, proceed to the Xanadu scenario hol-suite. As they walk all four vie to be the first, each telling Dirk her specialty. As the group arrives at the door Dirk still hasn't decided which of the girls to enjoy first. They enter the opulence of Kublai Khan's pleasure palace. The air smells of jasmine. The huge bed is covered in silk, sheets, pillowcases, canopy, bedcurtains, all are vibrant scarlet and gold silk.

Ornate oriental lanterns hang from the ceiling. Low mother of pearl inlaid tables are scattered around the room, each surrounded by sitting pillows covered in rich silks and brocades in every color of the rainbow. "Great Galaxies! This is fantastic!"

"Yes, young master. Now I am a skilled masseuse, so, if it pleases you?"

"Ohh, sure, Dannella, I could use a good massage!"

Dannella takes him by the hand, leading the way to the bed. On the tables next to the bed are an array of massage oils. "Do you have a preference in the oils, young master? No? Very well, I shall choose for you." She chooses sandalwood and after removing her clothes joins a naked Dirk in the bed. The other girls move to join them. "NO! You three go sit and relax for now! I need no help for this!" They look to Dirk.

"Go along, girls. I'll get to each of you at least once tonight, I promise! Use the time to draw lots to decide what order you'll join me in." The disappointed trio complies, leaving Dannella and Dirk alone in the bed.

"Soo, Dannella, you want to start with my back?"

"Yes, master, that will be fine." Dirk lies face down in the middle of the bed. Dannella sits astride his hips, pouring the oils into her hands, she begins to massage his neck and collarbones.

"MMMMM, that feels good!"

"Indeed, but it will feel even better soon, I promise young master." She begins to knead his shoulders and back, working her way down to his hips and buttocks, then further down to his thighs, calves, and feet. "Now turn over, young master, and I shall finish what I've started."

Dirk complies, revealing his burgeoning erection. "Will your massage take care of this for me?"

"All will be taken care of in due time, young master. All in due time!" She begins to massage his chest working down to his abs, then continuing down his legs to his feet. Then up again to his groin. She massages his erection and his sack, he groans with pleasure. She bends down to kiss the tip, and to lick up, down and all around his erection, which seems to grow larger under her ministrations.

He groans with growing passion; grasping her shoulders he pulls her up, kissing her lips, he grasps her waist, lifting her up he positions her and in one upward thrust, impales her with his erection. "Ride me Dannee!"

"Yes, young master." She proceeds to do as he commanded. Lifting herself up and then lowering herself again and again, slowly at first but going faster with each thrust. The tension building with each thrust. He too thrusts upward over and over again. The two continue to climb the heights of passion with each thrust. Finally both scream their release as they climax together, she collapses on top of him, their bodies still intimately joined. "Umm, that was wonderful, young master. Thank you."

*CHUCKLE* "Yes, it was, and you're welcome, Dannella."

Moontigress, Jazmina, and Moonkitten, having played rock, paper, scissors to draw the lots as Dirk told them to, have waited patiently. Jazmina, who won the right to be second, goes to the bathing area, returning with a wet washcloth she approaches the bed. "Dannella, go cleanse yourself, I shall see to the young master."

"Very well, Jazmina." She carefully disengages herself from Dirk and carefully leaves the bed so she won't wake the sleeping Dirk.

She climbs into the bed, careful not to wake him, and gently wipes the sticky residue from his groin, abdomen, and thighs. As she does so, his limp manhood begins to stiffen in anticipation of what's to come. Drowsily: "Umm, that feels good, umm, Jazmina, isn't it?"

"Yes, I am Jazmina, young sir, and I promise it will feel much better before I'm done!"

She engulfs his erection with her mouth, sucking him all the way into her mouth and throat. He wakes to her ministrations, groaning with his increasing pleasure. He reaches for her, thrusting himself further into her. "Umm, don't stop, Jazmina! It's, umm..." She complies, swirling his erection with her tongue and sucking harder. "Ahh, Jazmina, you, GOD!!" He comes in her mouth. He tastes of salt and sun. She licks the last of the cum from his still semi-erect manhood and kisses him on the lips.

He rolls them over, positioning her under him. He kisses and nibbles her eyes, lips, jawbone, working his way down to her breasts. Sucking her nipples in turn, he thrusts into her slick sheath. Her hips rise to meet his downward thrust as he thrusts fast and hard into her over and over again, the passion building between them until they both cry their release. She feels his hot seed spewing into her again and again, as her sheath contracts with each pulse from his shaft. They doze, enjoying the afterglow.

Moontigress, who won the right to be third, retrieves the now dry washcloth from were it had been dropped earlier, taking it into the bathing area rinsing it out. Coming to the bedside: "Jazmina, go clean yourself, I shall see to him."

"Very well, Moontigress, as you wish."

She carefully leaves the bed, to avoid waking Dirk. Moontigress then carefully gets in the bed to gently clean his groin and thighs. As she cleans him he slowly awakens, at the same time his limp member begins to stir to life yet again. "Mmmm, wha, ooh, Moontigress, where's Jazmina?"

"She's, umm, cleansing herself, as I have you, young master." She bends and kisses him on the lips. "MMMMMMMMMMMMMM, as I told you before my specialty is, umm, you remember."

"Umm, yes, I remember!"

"Then let us begin." He lays her on her back, placing a pillow under her hips. Kissing her lips, neck, breasts. sucking her nipples, lathering them in turn with his tongue, she moans with pleasure. He nibbles and kisses down her breastbone to her navel. Continuing downward he parted the auburn curls shielding her feminine core. There he proved he was as skilled in oral sex as any of the girls. She screams her orgasm. He then thrusts into her pulsing sheath hard and fast until he too finds release.

Hours later, after many more sexual encounters with each of the four, Dirk awakens entangled with Moontigress. Realizing the time, he carefully disengages himself from her to leave the bed to shower and dress before he leaves. He does this, and leaves the girls sleeping. In the hall he meets Madame Xiang: "I trust you enjoyed yourself, young master? My girls were satisfactory?"

"Yes, Madame, as always your girls were, umm, extraordinary!"

"Good, I am pleased to hear that. If you will, please convey my respects to Mon-El! Remind him that the special suite is always prepared for him!"

"Sure, Madame, I'll tell him!"

###############

Later in front of Legion HQ:

The three, having enjoyed their night out, arrive at the entrance to the headquarters at the same time. They greet one another and enter the building. They're walking down the hall when Dirk remembers Madame Xiang's message. "Ohh, Mon, I almost forgot! Madame Xiang asked me to remind you your special suite is always ready for you, you lucky dog, you!"

Lar stares aghast at Dirk.

"Madame Xiang!?! Who is Madame Xiang?!"

"The owner and operator of Madame Xiang's House of Pleasure, Shady. That's where I've been since Superboy took over for me."

"HOUSE OF PLEASURE!?! YOU HAVE A SUITE AT A BROTHEL!?! OOOHHH, YOU-- YOU-- I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" *CRACK*

"OWWWW!" Having slapped Lar, Shady runs off toward the dormitories.

"GRRRRR, DIRK, YOU-- YOU JERK! I OUGHT TO..." *THOOM* Lar hits the wall a hairsbreadth to the side of Dirk's head. His fist goes through it, startling Superboy, Invisible Kid, Brainiac 5, and Supergirl on the other side.

"Superboy, Supergirl what's happening!?!"

"WHA-- Mon just punched the wall next to Dirk's head!?! Blast, what did Dirk do?" Having told Lyle and the rest this Superboy speeds to Mon's side. "Mon! Calm down, buddy! What happened!?!"

"Umm, i-it's my fault, Superboy." He explains what set Mon off.

"WHAT!?! Dirk how could you give Mon a message like that in front of Shady!?! What were you thinking with!?!"

"Certainly not. You're right, of course."

"I'm not the persons you should be apologizing to Dirk! Mon and Shady are the ones you need to apologize to not me!"

"Umm, right! Sorry, Mon, I-I guess I... well, I didn't think! I, eerrr, forgot that Shady doesn't know about how you saved Madame Xiang and some of her girls from that fire."

"Blast it, Dirk! I've asked you nicely for years to quit giving me these blasted messages! I realize Madame Xiang wants to reward me! But I wasn't interested then and I haven't changed my mind! And I'm sick and tired of you and your stupid jokes about it!"

"Calm down, Mon, he's not worth it!"

He turns toward the approaching Legionnaires. "I know he isn't Kara."

At that moment, Tinya flies up to the group: "Brainy, Shady needs you in the Med-bay. S-she's broken her hand somehow."

"I'll be right there, Tinya. Mon, don't--" *THOOM* "Blast it! I'll have to totally recalculate my estimation of Mon's strength! My previous calculations were obviously wrong!"

"Brainy, not now! You have to treat Shady's hand! We'll calm Mon down and repair the holes in the wall."

"Umm, yes, of course, Lyle."

As Brainy leaves to see to Shady, Lyle turns to Mon and Dirk. "Now I want to know exactly what's going on here! Why did Mon put holes in the wall with his fists? What did you say or do to set him off, Dirk!?!"

"Mon, calm down, go to your quarters and relax until you've cooled off! Superboy, see if you can calm Mon down while I deal with Dirk."

"Sure, Lyle. C'mon, Mon, let's get some breakfast."

*SIGH* "Sure, Superboy."

"Talk to me, Dirk, now!" As Superboy and Mon leave, Dirk explains what happened to Lyle.

"YOU SAID WHAT!?! AND IN FRONT OF SHADY!?! Blast it Dirk, how many times have you been asked to let it drop!?! You know how Mon feels about Madame Xiang's continued attempts to get him to use that blasted suite she had designed for him after he saved her and some of her girls! And how he's starting to feel about Shady! You should have known she'd react badly to that message! She doesn't know the whole story! Now thanks to you and your big mouth, she probably thinks Mon's as promiscuous as you are! Congratulations, Dirk! You've probably wrecked their relationship before it ever had a chance to deepen!"

"Well, six months of monitorboard duty'll give you time to think about what you did and hopefully you'll finally stop helping Madame Xiang try to get Mon to, umm, partake of her girls' charms!"

"SIX MONTHS!?! Yo-you can't do that! Your term as leader ended last night at midnight, remember?"

Ultra Boy and Saturn Girl had walked up in time to hear the conversation. "That's right, Dirk, he can't, but I can and will! Keep arguing and it'll be more than six months! Imra, go check on Mon. Sounds like he may need you, since you're one of his best friends. I know better than to ask you to read his mind but, umm, if you just get any kind of--"

"Yes, Jo, I'll go check on Mon, and if I pick up on his emotional state, I'll let you know, if I think it's something you need to know, that is."

As Imra leaves, Jo turns to Lyle. "So is being the leader always this, umm, exciting?"

"HAHAHAHA! 'Fraid so pal! I'm just glad you have to deal with this mess! Ohh, thanks for backing me up with the monitorboard duty."

"No problem, pal! That's the least amount of time he deserves! Now if I can just figure out how to finally get Dirk to quit delivering those blasted messages, at least Mon won't have to keep enduring Dirk's razzing about that. But I've got no idea how to undo the damage Dirk's done this time."

"Hmm, well, first off, maybe we can show her the archive tape of Mon saving Xiang and her girls from that fire. Also any vid-tape we may have of Dirk's previous message deliveries and his teasing Mon about it. The security Vid-cams must have recorded some of them!"

"Good idea, Lyle! I don't think she's in the mood to take any Legionnaires word for it. She'd probably think we were simply covering for Mon!"

"Unfortunately, you're right about that. But hopefully, she'll be reasonable about this situation, once she calms down. I just hope Mon's going to be all right. Blast Dirk and his big mouth! Mon was the happiest I've ever seen him last night! Now thanks to Dirk--"

"I know, Lyle; you should've seen him at the circus last night! He was really enjoying it! I think he's falling in love with her! and now thanks to Dirk, she can't stand the sight of him!"

"Just give it time, Jo. All any of us can do is try to be there for both Mon and Shady. And pray that things work out for the best. The best being that Mon and Shady continue to grow closer."

#################

Legion HQ Commissary:

Saturn Girl finds Mon-El and Superboy eating their breakfasts. At least Superboy is, Mon's just moving his steak and eggs around the plate. Imra gets her breakfast and joins them. "We better hurry, Jo's swearing-in ceremony's set to start soon."

"So who's going to be Jo's deputy leader?"

"Mon is, Superboy."

"HUH? B-but you came in second, Imra! You should be deputy leader!"

"Well, I don't want the job, and you came in third, Mon. So you get the job."

"Sure, why not, I won't have anything else to do. Being deputy would cut into your leisure time with Garth."

"Aww, Mon, you'll straighten out this mess with Shady!"

"Sure Superboy, she'll come around eventually; if you believe that, more power to you. As for me, I'm just going to get used to being alone again. Gods know I've had enough practice at it!"

Imra uses her telepathy to inform Jo of the change in deputy leader: "Imra, are you sure about this?"

"Jo, Mon's old emotional barriers are coming back, stronger than before! Making him deputy will force him to interact with others."

"OK, Imra, if you say so."

Aloud: "Mon you're not alone! You have all of us, your relatives on Daxam, and the friends you have made since Brainy released you from the Phantom Zone. And I'm sure you and Shady can and will work out this misunderstanding!"

"Well you and Superboy may be sure, Imra, but I'm not! Neither of you saw the look on her face! She hates me! Can't stand the sight of me, thanks to Dirk's big mouth!"

"Easy, Mon! We're on your side! Imra just wants you to not give up on your relationship with Shady without at leasttrying to undo the damage Dirk did! And neither do I! You owe it to Shady and yourself to try!"

"Maybe, Superboy, I'll think about it, OK?"

"OK, Mon you do that!"

####################

Meanwhile in the Med-bay, Brainy has set the broken bones in Shady's hand and cast it in a plasti-cast. "There, this cast will heal your bones in a few days! It was incredibly foolish of you to slap Mon-El! Especially over one of Madame Xiang's tiresome messages!"

"Wha-what do you mean tiresome!?!"

"Yes, tiresome! Mon always ignores them!"

"Ignores!?! What do you know about it that apparently I don't!"

"Very well, I'll tell you! About four years ago, there was a fire at Madame Xiang's, she and several of her, umm, 'girls' were trapped inside. Mon saved them, put out the fire, and repaired the damage! In gratitude, Madame Xiang offered Mon the, umm, services of any or all of her 'girls' and 'boys', whenever he wanted them! Mon politely declined her offer, explaining that with his powers, especially his strength, it would be, umm, dangerous for the girl, he ignored the offer of a boy completely. He left and has never returned there. He thought the matter settled.

"Unfortunately, Madame Xiang's personal code of honor demands that she repay Mon for saving her life, her girls, and her livlihood! She had one of her suites configured to, supposedly, negate Mon's powers. Thereby making it safe for Mon to, umm, copulate with her employees. Since Sun Boy is a regular customer, she has repeatedly sent Mon the message about the suite. He always ignores them, and has repeatedly asked Dirk to cease and desist delivering them, but to no avail!"

"Ancestors help me!! Are you telling me that Mon's never-- B-but Sun Boy said-- Ooohhh, I'll skin him alive!!"

"Not until your hand heals! And Mon's powers make your chances of ski--"

"NOT MON!! DIRK THE JERK!! Ancestors! How can you be so smart, yet so stupid!?!"

"WELL! How was I to know your attitude would change so quickly!?!"

"Well, excuse me! I have to go find Mon!"

Shady leaves to look for Mon-El, as she does, Supergirl enters. "Where's Shady going in such a hurry? Not to fight with Mon some more I hope!"

"Not to fight, Kara, I explained to her about the message Dirk delivered. She wants to make up with Mon, now, but she's planning to skin Dirk alive, once her right hand heals."

"Umm, do you think she's serious? About skinning Dirk?"

"Hard to say. I think it will depend on whether or not she and Mon reconcile. I'm just glad it will be Dirk she'll be out to get! She seems quite determined and capable in a fight!"

"Well, from what I understand about her upbringing, she was raised to be the planetary champion! So she certainly knows how to fight."

"Hmm, yes, I suppose so! It should be interesting to watch!"

"HA HA HA! Yes, Brainy, it should be interesting at that!"

####################

Shady is hurrying towards Mon's quarters when she meets Invisible Kid and Ultra Boy. "Shady, got a nano? There's something you need to know abo--"

"Not now, Invisible Kid! Do either of you know were Mon is? From what Brainy told me, I owe him an apology!"

"Mon's either in his quarters or in the commissary, Shady. Glad to hear you've calmed down!"

"Ohh, I'm not calm, Ultra Boy! I'm going to skin Sun Boy alive, once my hand's healed! But until then, I really need to talk to Mon! I-I shouldn't have reacted the way I did! I should have had more faith in him and less faith in Dirk's big mouth!"

"Yes, but your reaction was understandable, under the circumstances, Shady. C'mon, I'll help you find him. We need to go to the main hall for the swearing-in ceremony."

"Swearing-in ceremony? Ohh, that's right! Your term as leader starts today! But shouldn't you get Saturn Girl? She's your deputy, right?"

"Nope, Mon's going to be deputy leader! Imra, umm, declined."

"Ohh, I see. Well let's go get you two sworn in. Then I'll, umm, have my talk with Mon!"

####################

Mon-El's Quarters:

Mon has showered and changed into his uniform. Superboy has been sitting, waiting for him to finish. "So, Mon, umm, how did your date go before Dirk's gaffe?"

"I-It was fine, we really enjoyed ourselves. Not that it matters anymore. Let's go, it's time for the ceremony."

"Sure, Mon, but I still think you and Shady'll work through this mess!"

"I doubt it!" The two leave and head for the main hall.

####################

Main Hall:

Every Legionnaire on Earth is gathered for the swearing-in ceremony of the new leader and his deputy. The Legion's Adult Advisor, Marla Latham, as well as most of the legionnaires present are surprised when Mon-El walks up with Ultra Boy to be sworn in.

"Umm, Jo, I thought Satu--"

"Imra doesn't want to be deputy, Marla, soo, since Mon was next in the voting, he's going to be deputy."

"Very well, let's get going."

Marla quickly completes the ceremony. Then the Legionnaires who didn't know about the change in plans, gather around Mon-El to congratulate the new deputy leader. He accepts the congratulations of his teammates, but doesn't linger, wanting to be alone. He leaves the hall and heads for his quarters. "MON-EL! Wait, please wait!"

He turns to Shadow Lass, who's rushing to catch up with him. He waits, wondering what she wants to say this time. She slows as she approaches him, trying to fine the right words to bridge the chasm created between them by Dirk's words, and her reaction. Praying she'll be able to undo the damage done: "Mon, I, umm, I'm sorry about hitting you earlier. I-I should have at least allowed you to explain before I blew up like that! Forgive me, please!?! Please, can't we just pretend we didn't even see Dirk at all, please?"

"Ummm, Shady, eeerr, I'll be busy, as deputy leader, and, umm, well, we'll just wait and see. I-I've got to go now, bye."

"S-sure, Mon, I-I understand."

He leaves, too unhappy himself to notice she's silently crying behind him, as she watches him walk away. Saturn Girl, Superboy, Ultra Boy, and Phantom Girl, having seen and heard what transpired, mutually decide to intervene.

"Eeerrr, Shady, we need to talk. C'mon, Shady, everything's going to be all right."

*sob* "I doubt it, Superboy. But I'll listen to what you have to say."

####################

Superboy and the rest of the little group lead her to a small meeting room. Each takes a seat and look at each other, wondering where to start and who should start. Finally, Superboy decides to be the one. "Shady, I-I know you're upset, but please don't give up on him! H-he needs you, more than you'll ever know, or he even realizes! I-I know he's shutting you out, but, well, if you'll just be patient, he'll come around!"

"No, he won't, Superboy, not if she follows your advice and waits for him to come around."

"Wha-what do you mean, Imra?"

"Listen to me, Shady! If you wait for Mon to come around, you'll wait a very long time, maybe forever! The thousand years Mon spent in the Phantom Zone, well, to survive it, he built mental/emotional barriers between himself and the other denizens of the Phantom Zone. When Brainy freed him, the barriers remained. They've remained, though they seemed to be getting weaker since he meet you! That's all changed now! His emotional barriers are quickly coming back, worse yet, they're coming back stronger than ever!

"That's why I declined the deputy leadership! As deputy leader, he'll have to interact more with people! But the only way you'll get back together with him is for you to pursue him! Don't let him shut you out! You ask--no--demand that he go out with you! Don't take no or maybe for an answer! Can you do that, Shady?"

"HAHAHAHA! Ohh, Ancestors! Things are certainly different here than they are back home on Talok VIII!"

"HUH? What do you mean, Shady!?!"

"Simple, Ultra Boy, I could be wrong, but, umm, on most of your homeworlds, it's the male who does the choosing correct?" The others nod assent. "Well, on my world, it's the female who chooses! She looks for what she wants in her mate: strength, intelligence, compassion, whatever qualities she wants in her mate! Then once she's found the male she wants, she goes after him. The males have little say in the matter!"

"Y-you mean--"

"Yes, Ultra Boy, Mon is mine! He just doesn't know it yet! So you see Imra, I'm more than able to do as you say! It's the Talokite way!"

"Well, it should be interesting to see who wins, Mon or Shady! I certainly hope you win, Shady. But I've got to warn you, Mon's extremely strong-willed and stubborn! He can be an irresitable force or an immovable object!"

"I know, Phantom Girl, but you see, SO AM I! But, hmm, I think I'll put an end to Madame Xiang's trying to get Mon to, umm, partake of her employees', umm, charms.

"While I'm healing. I think the sight of this cast upsets Mon, so I'll just let him be, for now. After all, the more upset he is, the less likely it is that his defenses will ease up."

"You've got a point there, Shady!"

"Yes, she does, Tinya. And I'd like to help, but I have to get back to my own time! But I'll be back soon!"

"Well, thanks for coming to the ceremony. Just sorry this mess had to happen while you were here, or at all for that matter!"

"Yes, Jo, so am I! But don't worry, Shady. I'm sure things will get better soon, and I'll do whatever I can to help."

"I appreciate that, Superboy! Have a safe journy through the time barrier!"

####################

Meanwhile, in the Legion Rec room, Sun Boy is brooding about his six months of monitorboard duty. Lightning Lad comes up to him to commiserate with him: "Hey, Dirk! You must have had some kind of fun last night! What were you thinking giving Mon that message!?! And in front of Shady!?! Popping Planets, you're lucky Mon didn't connect with that punch, pal!"

"You're telling me!?! He punched a hole through two feet of solid inertron!"

"Umm, Dirk, he punched two holes, not just one! I hear Brainy's in a snit! Seems he'd calculated Mon-El's strength, put his punching through the inertron blew his calculation to hell. By his calculation, Mon shouldn't have been able to do it once never mind twice!"

"Great, just great! Mon's totally ticked off at me, and he's even stronger than Brainy thought he was!"

"Umm, I think that Shady's the one you should be worry about, eeerr, I heard Brainy tell Imra, she's going to skin you alive, once her hand's healed!"

"Ohh, wonderful! Even if I was willing to hit a gir--"

"Dirk! Don't even think it! Mon's mad as hell at you now! If he thought you were going to do Shady any harm--"

"Crashing Comets, Garth! Even I'm not dumb enough to do anything to provoke Mon in any way, shape or form! Believe me, I've learned my lesson! No more message deliveries ever!"

At that moment Shady, Imra, and Jo enter the room just in time to hear his declaration.

"Glad to hear that, Sun Boy, perhaps I won't skin you alive after all!"

"Ohh, glad to hear it, Shady!"

"I said perhaps Dirk, I may or I may not, haven't really decided yet. It will depend on how things resolve themselves!"

"Umm, if there's anything I can do to help resolve things so that I get to keep my skin, consider it done!"

"Well, you can, umm, introduce me to Madame Xiang! Since Mon's too much of a gentleman to, eeerr, tell her to leave him be, I'll do it for him!"

Sun Boy stares aghast at Shady, thinking: 'Swirling Stars! Mon'll go ballistic when he hears I took Shady to Madame Xiang's! But if I don't take her, she'll probably skin me alive! Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place! No matter what I do, I'm in deep nass! But, umm, maybe Mon won't hear-- oohh, yeah, that's about as likely as Mercury having a white Christmas! But I told her I'd do whatever she asked! Just have to take my chances!' Aloud: "Sure, Shady, if that's what you really want. Let's go, might as well get it over with!"

####################

Meanwhile Superboy arrives back home. Ma and Pa know something is wrong just by looking at his face. "So, son, how was the Legion doing? All quiet, I hope!"

"Y-yes Pa, no battles to fight."

"And how are Mon-El and that nice girl Be-- ohh, no, Tasmia getting along, Clark?"

"They were getting along great until Sun Boy opened his big fat mouth!"

"Wh-what do you mean son!?!"

He explains what happened in the thirtieth century.

"JUMPING JEHOSAPHAT! What was that fool boy thinking!?!"

"LAND SAKES! That poor girl and my boy! My boy needs me! Clark, you've just started spring break, haven't you?"

"Yes, Ma, school's out for the next two weeks."

"Good! Jonathan, you arrange for Pete Ross to mind the store! Mon needs us and we're going to him!"

"Now, Marth--"

"NO, Jonathan, we're going and that's that! Clark, you do whatever you have to to get Pa and me there!"

"B-but Ma--" "No buts, Clark! I'm right and you both know it! You've taken Lana Lang and Pete Roos to visit the Legion on more than one occassion! And I'll bet every other Legionnaires' parents have visited their children's headquarters at least once!

"Well, it's high time your Pa and I went, especially now when Mon-El needs us! Wait'll I get my hands on that Sun Boy! I'll teach him better manners! And I'm going to give that Madame Xiang a piece of my mind!"

*CHUCKLE* "All right, Martha! Well, son, let's get going! Time's a-wasting!"

"All right Ma, Pa, I'll be in the basement. I'll use my time-comm to call and get Ultra Boy to meet us somewhere with a time bubble."

"Fine, Clark, I'll pac--"

"Don't bother, Ma, the Legion will provide everything you'll need."

"Land sakes, well, if you say so. Pa, you better call Pete!"

"Sure, Martha."

####################

Inside the Legion HQ Ultra Boy is settling into the office set aside for the leader.

*BZZZT* "Come in."

Mon-El enters the room. "So what can I do for you, Mon?"

"A mission, Jo, or some leave time. I need to be off world for a while."

"Well, I just recieved a request for a Legionnaire to attend the inarguation of the newly elected High Chancellor of the planet Preztor. It's a five day mission, that long enough or would you rather some leave time?"

"I'll go to Preztor. See you in five days."

"OK, Mon, enjoy the festivities, and remember to smile! You'll be there to represent the Legion and as part of the Earth Gov contingent."

"Sure, Jo, I know the drill." He leaves and Jo continues to arrange his supplies in the desk drawers and on the desk top.

*BZZZT* Mutters: "Gods, what now?" Aloud: "C'mon in, Brainy."

"Jo, umm, Superboy just called on the time-co--"

"What's wrong!?! Is he in trouble!?! Let's go--"

"Calm yourself, Jo! He simply wants one of us to take a time bubble to his time."

"HUH!?! What for!?!"

"Umm, apparantly, his foster parents have decided to come visit us."

"You're joking, right!?!"

"Hardly, Jo, but it is your decision. Should I prepare the time bubble or not?"

*sigh* "Yes, of course. And get some of the others to prepare guests' quarters for the Kents. Gods, I hope they're still here when Mon gets back! He'll be very unhappy if he misses seeing them."

"Agreed, though I got the impression that they'll be staying for over a week."

"Great! Mon should be back in five days, so he should get to spend at least two days with them!"

"Yes, I'll do that. Should I pilot the time bubble to them or do you want someone else to do it?"

"No, you go, Brainy. Where did Superboy want you to pick them up?"

"In the woods outside of Smallville, after dark."

"Sounds fine, get to it. The next week or so should be interesting to say the least!"

"Indeed!" Brainy leaves to prep the time bubble and to inform the other Legionnaires of the impending visitors.

####################

Duo Damsel, Phantom Girl, and Light Lass are preparing the guest quarters for the Kents.

"Great Galaxies! I can't believe the Kents are coming here! This'll be great!"

"I hope so, Ayla, but I can't help wondering about the timing! I'm a little worried about this! We have to keep them from learning anything about their or Superboy's future! And Mistress alone knows how they'll react to the current mess with Mon and Shady!"

"Why do you say that, Tinya?"

Luornu answers Ayla's question before Tinya can. "Because, Ayla, they consider Mon-El to be their second son! They're not going to be too happy with Dirk, Madame Xiang, or Tasmia if she ends up hurting Mon!"

"Seems to me that it's Dirk and Madame Xiang they should be miffed at, not Shady!"

"Well, Ayla, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"

"Yes, we will, Luornu. Well, we're all set for them here."

Tinya is finished reprograming the replicator voice command receiver: "Yes, we are. But I'm not sure I've reprogrammed the replicator to react to voice commands given in 20th North American dialect English! I'll get Brainy to check it later."

"Actually if Supergirl's still here, we could get her to help you check it now, Tinya."

"I'll go see if she's still here." Ayla leaves to get Kara. She finds her helping Brainy prep the time bubble. "Oh Kara, could you come help us please?"

"Sure, Ayla, what's the problem?" Ayla explains as they make their way back to the guest quarters.

Arriving, Kara goes to the replicator and in English, orders a glass of cold lemonade. The replicator complies. "Well, girls, you don't seem to have a problem. I'll go back and finish helping Brainy with the time bubble."

"Are you staying to meet the Kents, Kara?"

"No, Tinya, I'm afraid not. The Kents never met me, they died before my parents sent me to Earth. Since they don't have the same post hypnotic suggestion as cousin Kal, I'd better leave before they get here."

"Yes, that would be best, unfortunately."

"Well, if I don't see you again before I leave, bye Tinya, Ayla, Luornu."

"Sure, Kara, you take care of yourself, and have a safe journey through time."

"Thanks, Tinya, Ayla, Luronu. See you around."

####################

While Brainy and the others have been preparing for the Kent's arrival, Sun Boy, Shadow Lass, Lightning Lad, and Saturn Girl have been at Madame Xiang's House of Pleasure waiting to speak with Xiang, who was asleep when they arrived. Finally after several minutes of waiting she enters the waiting area: "Umm, good morning, Sun Boy, Legionnaires. To what do I owe the honor of this visit? As you well know Sun Boy, we do not open for business for several hours yet."

"Yes, I know that, and I apologize for distrubing your your rest. But, umm, my friend has some thing to say to you and, well, Shady, you take it from here."

Madame Xiang turns to the others with a raised right eyebrow: "Yes, umm, Shadow Lass, correct? What can I do for you? Since this is not normal business hours, I assume you are not here to, umm, avail yourself of my girls or boys, umm, services, so what do you wish from me?"

"I do not wish anything of you or your employees, Madame. Except that you cease sending my man, umm, invitations to come and avail himself of your employees, umm, charms! If you feel you must reward him, then send the plans and schematics for the equipment in that special suite that negate his powers to Legion HQ!"

"Hmm. And if I continue to offer him my, umm, employees' services?"

"I would take that as a personal insult!" Shady glares at Xiang. "And I do not tolerate insults! This you must understand, Mon-El is my choosen mate! Talokites never share their mates! I would be extremely upset if you continued to offer your employees to him! Believe me you do not want me to come back here upset because you do that! It would be much better for all concerned if you simply do as I have asked! I assure you, you do not want to see me again!" The two stare long and hard into each others' eyes. Madame Xiang looks away first.

"Very well, it shall be as you wish! I shall have all pertinent information sent to Legion HQ before this day is out. I wish you and the young master great joy and pleasure together."

"Thank you, Madame Xiang, I'm glad we've come to an understanding. I assure you, I'll make him happier than your employees could."

"Ahh, I doubt that, still you should both enjoy trying, yes?"

"Ah, hahahahaha, yes! We certainly will! Goodbye, Madame Xiang, I mean no offense, but I hope we never meet again!"

Madame Xiang bows to Shady: "My sentiments exactly, Oh Lady of the Shadows!"

The Legionnaires leave and fly back toward Legion HQ. "Bouncing Bolides, Shady! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it! Nobody gets Madame Xiang to back down!"

"You should know Dirk!"

"Yes, I guess so, Imra."

"Well, I'm just glad I got to see it! You sure know how to use intimidation, Shady! Glad you're on our side!"

"HAHAHA! Thank you Garth!"

They arrive, and upon entering find the two Luornus arranging a 'WELCOME TO THE THIRTIETH CENTURY MR. AND MRS. KENT!' banner. "What the!?! What's going on Luornu?"

"Ohh, Dirk! That's right, you four left before Superboy called! He and his foster parents are coming for a visit! Isn't it great!?!"

"Ancestors! That's wonderful! Mon must be happy about this!"

"Umm, Mon-El's off on a mission, Shady, though he should be back before the Kents return to Smallville."

"Oohhh, that's good, Luornu. Mon would hate to miss seeing them. Anything I can do to help prepare their guest quarters?"

"No, Shady; Tinya, Ayla, and I already did everything that needed to be done."

"Well, in that case, I think I'll go to my quarters and try to get some sleep before lunch. See you all later." Shady heads for her quarters.

"So what mission were you four on? I'm surprised Jo sent Shady out on a mission so soon after she broke her hand!"

"Umm, we weren't on a mission, Luornu." Imra explains what they'd gone to do.

"Great Galaxies! I wish I'd been there to see it! Imagine, Shady actualy got Madame Xiang to agree to quit pestering Mon! B-but I thought they were only dating! Why'd she claim Mon's her mate!?!"

*CHUCKLE* "Because as far as she's concerned, he is! He just doesn't know it yet!"

"WHAAAAAT!?! You're joking, aren't you, Imra!?!"

"No, Luornu, I'm not! That's what Shady told Superboy, Jo, Tinya, and me right after the ceremony. But don't tell Mon! It's for Shady to inform him, when she's ready to."

"Sure, Imra! I'll be as quiet as a Carggian mousetoid!"

####################

Brainy, with Supergirl's help, has finished preparing the time bubble. Now Kara is getting ready to leave for her own time. "Well, Brainy, you're all set to go get cousin Kal and his foster paernts. I'd better be going back to my own time."

"Umm, yes I suppose you should go before the Kents get here. I-I'll miss you, Kara! Come back soon, have a safe journey through time."

"Bye, Brainy, I'll miss you all but especially you! You have a safe journey through time, too!"

Supergirl kisses Brainy and leaves the building, flying into the air she crashes the time barrier. Brainy watches, via a monitor in his lab. Turning from the monitor, he enters the time bubble, and sits at the controls. He enters the space/time coordinates into the temporal guidance system and activates the time bubble. The bubble flares with chronal energy and vanishes into the time stream. Moments later the time bubble flares as it appears in the sky over the forest outside of Smallville. Seeing Superboy and the Kents in a clearing below, he guides the time bubble in for a landing.

Opening the hatch: "Hello, Superboy, Mr. and Mrs. Kent! Ready to go?"

As they enter the time bubble: "Hi, Querl, thanks for coming! Yes, we're ready to go."

"Yes, indeed! Pa and I are looking forward to seeing Legion headquarters and some of the sights!"

"We surely are! Thank you for coming for us, umm, Brainiac 5, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Kent."

Turning back to the control panel, he closes the hatch, and presses the return control, with a flare of chronal energy the time bubble vanishes into the time stream again, to emerge moments later in the plaza outside of Legion headquarters. Martha exclaims: "Land sakes, Clark, it's just as you described it!"

"Welcome to the thirtieth century, Mr. and Mrs. Kent. I hope your visit is everyting you want it to be." Brainy opens the hatch as the Legionnaires stream out to greet them.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I'm Jo Nah, aka Ultra Boy, you may call me Jo though, if you want to. Welcome to Legion HQ! Superboy, do you want to make the rest of the introductions or shall I?"

"You're Legion leader, Jo, I think you should do it."

"Ok, Superboy. Legionnaires, line up for the introductions." The Legionnaires form a line. "Mr. and Mrs. Kent meet: Imra Ardeen, aka Saturn Girl; Garth Ranzz, aka Lightning Lad; Ayla Ranzz, aka Light Lass; Tinya Wazzo, aka Phantom Girl; Lyle Norg, aka Invisible Kid; Dirk Morgna, aka Sun Boy, and I think you've meet Luornu Durgo, aka Duo Damsel; Tasmia Malor, aka Shadow Lass, and Querl Dox, aka Brainiac 5. The rest of the Legionnaires are off on missions, though most of them should be back before you return to your time."

"We cerainly hope so Ultr--umm, Jo. But we especially hope Mon-El returns before we go back home."

"His mission is only a five day mission, you are going to be here longer than that, aren't you, Mr. Kent?"

"Oohh, yes, Jo. Pa, Clark, and I are here for two weeks."

"Great! Mon would've been upset to miss your visit!"

"Well, we won't go home without seeing our boy, that's for sure! Now, Sun Boy, could you show Pa and me to our guest room?"

"Wha-- ohh, sure, Mrs. Kent. Follow me, folks."

Shady and Luornu share a glance: "Ancestors, I wonder what that's about?"

"If Superboy told Mrs. Kent what Dirk said she may want to get him alone to, umm, talk to him!"

"By Talok! I'd dearly love to be an insectoid in the room while she and Dirk talk! Wouldn't you, Luornu?"

"Ohh, yes! Too bad Chameleon Boy is off on a mission! He could be an insectoid in the room! Then he could tell the rest of us what's said!"

"Ohh, don't worry, Luornu, I doubt if Dirk will keep quiet about what is said."

"Hahaha, that's true, Shady! You want to go to lunch?"

"Sure, Luornu, let's go."

####################

Dirk leads the Kents to their guest room. He continuously glances nervously at each of the Kents in turn, wondering when and if one or the other of them will begin to bawl him out. Though he clings to the slight hope that neither of them will, he realizes that's a faint hope at best. Finally they arrive at the doorway to the Kent's suite. Dirk explains the locking mechanism, opening the door in the process. He turns to leave when Martha's icy voice stops him in his tracks.

"Sun Boy! I'd like a word with you if you'll join me? Clark, you go and show Pa your room, then you two go to get some lunch. Sun Boy and I will join you for lunch, though don't wait for us to start yours."

"Sure, Ma. C'mon, Pa, my quarters are this way." Dirk watches them go down the hall, wishing he was as well.

"Come along, Sun Boy! Time's a-wasting!"

*SIGH* "Yes, m'am." They enter the living room of the suite. "Land sakes! Where's the light switch?"

"Well, m'am, you can use the light switch on the wall to your right or just say 'computer, lights on'."

At his command the overhead light flare to life. "Well, I'll be! That sure is convenient! But let's get down to the business at hand! What were you thinking to give Mon-El such a message!?! And in front of Tasmia!! You must know how he's starting to feel about her! And how she'd react to that dadburned message! Didn't your parents teach you any manners!?! I-I ought to take a hickory switch to your backside! And if Mon-El and Tasmia stay apart, I just might do it before Pa and I go back to Smallville! If you don't have sense enough to know when to keep your mouth shut, you don't have sense enough to be a superhero! And you're certainly not too old to get switched! If you want to act like a child, then you should be treated like one! I don't know the whole story of why that woman wanted you to deliver that message, and I don't care! If I ever hear you delivered another message from that woman to my Mon-El, I'll tan your hide! You understand me!?! Your days of delivering messages from this Madame Xiang to my boy Mon-El are over!!"

"Yes, m'am! I hear and understand perfectly! I'll never deliver another message from Madame Xiang to Mon-el or anyone else! Except my Dad, I'll have to keep delivering his, both from her and to her."

"Wh-what!?! Do you mean your father is also a-a--and your mother allows!?! LORD HAVE MERCY!! No wonder you're so confused!"

"Well, my Mom's dead, though Dad's been a regular at Madame Xiang's since before she died."

"Ohh, never mind! I don't want to know! Let's go get some lunch, I want to see how the food has changed since my time."

"Yes, m'am." They leave tha quarters and head for the commissary. On the way they meet up with Pa and Clark, as well as Garth, Imra, Jo, and Tinya. The others all notice that both Dirk and Ma are upset about something, and they have an excellent idea of the why, though none of them choose to say anything about it. The group enters the commissary and get their lunches. Ma and Pa are surprised to find hamburgers and french fries on the food replicators menu, but they choose to try the Elvabird salad sandwich, Venusian coleslaw, and Fromafruit salad. Seeing Tasmia eating with Luornu the Kents go to join the two. "Tasmia, dear, Luornu, may we join you?"

"Yes, of course, m'am."

"Yes, of course, m'am."

The Kents take their seats, and, tentatively at first, begin to eat their lunches. But, as they taste the delicious food, their hesitation quickly vanishes.

"Umm, this coleslaw is delicious. I was a mite uncertain about it, what with it being red and turquoise, but it's wonderful!"

"It surely is, Martha! The lavender, fuschia, and teal fruit's mighty tasty, too! It doesn't look anything like the fruit back home, though. And this Elvabird salad sure is tasty, though don't reckon I've ever tasted anything like it before. If this is a sample of thirtieth century foods, we're going to have a grand old time just eating! Though dadblast it, we forgot something to drink."

"If you'd like I'll get you some Kono juice."

"Kono juice? Sounds interesting, yes, thank you, Luornu."

She goes to get the Kono juices. While they're alone with Tasmia, Ma decides to start trying to undo some of the damage done by Dirk. "Umm, so Tasmia, how's your hand? Not hurting you, is it?"

"No, m'am, it doesn't bother me at all, thank you for asking."

"I know that you and Mon haven't had a chance to talk things out yet. I just want you to know, I agree with Saturn Girl!"

"Well, Pa and I want you to know, we'll do whatever we can to help you get through Mon-El's, umm, walls."

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I appreciate that." At that moment Luornu returns with the juices, and Dirk walks up as well. "So, Mr. and Mrs. Kent, how did you like your food? I see Luornu has brought you Kono juice. Hope you like your juice sweet. I don't care for it myself, too sweet for my taste."

The Kents sip their drinks. "Umm, this is delicious! Glad you joined us, Sun Boy."

Dirk cocks his right eyebrow, thinking: 'Uh-oh, what now? God, please don't let her want to go have a talk with Madame Xiang!' Aloud: "Yes, m'am, what can I do for you?"

"I need you to take me to see--" Dirk groans thinking: 'Blast it! I knew it! God, why me!?! Mon-El's going to have a fit! Maybe I can get Jo to give me a nice long mission off world, just before Mon gets back!'

"--Madame Xiang! I want a few choice words with that woman!"

"MARTHA CLARK KENT, you are no--"

"Oh yes I am Jonathan! I am going to have a talk with that woman! I've got a few choice words for her! Let's go Sun Boy! We might as well get this over with!"

*SIGH* "Sure, Mrs. Kent, if you insist!"

"Umm, I'll come, too, if you don't mind."

"Sure, Luornu. You coming too, Shady?"

"No, Dirk, I've, umm, things to do."

"Well, I'm coming, Dirk."

"Sure, Superboy."

Superboy, Ma, Luornu, and Dirk start to leave. "Hold on! I'm coming, too! I'm not staying behind!" Pa rushes to join the group. Once outside Superboy carries his parents as Dirk leads the way. Minutes later they arrive at Madame Xiang's. They're shown to a waiting room to wait for her to join them. After a few minutes, she joins them.

"Yes, Sun Boy, again you come before we open for business, though not with the same group as before. What do you want of me this time?"

Dirk looking extremely uncomfortably between Madame Xiang and Mrs. Kent, thinks: 'Popping Planets! I'd give anything to not be here! Gods, it's just as well I'm on monitor duty for six months! It'll be at least that long before I'll be able to show my face around here!'

Aloud he says: "Ahh, Madame Xiang, umm, Mrs. Kent, eerrr, wants to talk with you."

"Why would she wish to speak to me? I know no one named Kent!"

Martha glares at her: "No, but you do know my boy Mon-El! And your blasted messages have caused him enough problems! I'm here to put a stop to it!"

"Ahh, I was under the impression he's an orphan! Besides I have already given Shadow Lass my word I would cease sending the messages to him!"

"Well, just see that you do as you've promised her! Or you'll have me to deal with! My boy's not going to have to put up with anymore of this!"

*SIGH* "Very well, I promise, yet again, I will never send Mon-El another message! I trust that will satisfy you!"

"All right, then! As long as you keep your word!"

"My word is my bond! I always keep it! Now if that was all, I have much to do before I open for business!" Bowing, she says: "Good-bye! I trust we shall never meet again!"

"Good-bye! I also trust we will never meet again!" Turning to the others: "Let's go, Pa, Clark, Luornu, Sun Boy! Back to Legion HQ."

Flying back:

"Gaping Girdzaks! Mrs. Kent, I wouldn't have believed you had it in you to face down Madame Xiang if I hadn't seen it! From what Superboy has told us about you I didn't think you had it in you! Glad I was there to see it!"

"Umm, thank you Luornu, dear, I think. But I only did what any mother would do! I just hope Mon-El understands that."

"Well, Martha, we'll just have to wait and see about that won't we?"

"Don't worry, Ma, Pa I'm sure Mon'll understand Ma was only doing what she thought needed to be done."

####################

Later that day a messanger from Madame Xiang arrives at Legion HQ, delivering the promised plans and schematics for the devices used in the special suite to Shadow Lass. She takes them to Brainiac 5, who's in the Multi-Lab.

"Brainy, these are the plans and schematics for the devices Madame Xiang uses in that special suite. Could you have a look at them? After all you told me yourself that these devices supposedly negate Mon-El's powers."

"Ahh, yes! I've often wondered about these! I'll study them and let you know my findings."

"Well, if they do work, umm, replicate two sets, one for Mon's quarters and one for mine!"

"Umm, I wasn't aware your relationship had progressed that far! In fact, I was under the impression it was, umm, at a stand still."

"Brainy, just do it, OK? I'll handle the rest."

"Very well, I'll let you handle it."

####################

Later that evening as Shady, the Kents, Sun Boy, and Duo Damsel are eating dinner, Brainy joins them. "Oh, Shady, I've finished my analysis of the plans and schematics Madame Xiang sent you. They will negate Mon's powers. I've replicated two sets of the devices as you requested. If you wish, I'll install the devices in your quarters. But I won't install them in Mon's quarters until and unless he requests it."

"That will be fine, Brainy, as long as the devices are installed and operational when Mon gets back."

"They will be."

"Landsakes, what in tarnation are you and Brainiac 5 talking about, dear?"

Shadow Lass explains the devices and their purpose to Mrs. Kent, who at first is scandalized. "Land o' Goshen! Y-you're actually going to set out t-to--"

"Now, Martha! They're, by their peoples' standards, old enough to, umm, do whatever they want! Times change, after all!--"

"I know that, Jonathan! And well maybe it's just the thing to, umm, break through Mon's reserve. I-it's just a surprise is all! I-I wish you and Mon all the best, dear."

"Thank you, ma'am. I-I'll do my best to bring him love and contentment."

"Wonderful! All I want is for both of my boys to be content, happy and loved! These devices sound like a good thing, umm, don't suppose--"

"Martha! You know we can't even ask! I doubt if the authorities would even allow the Legionnaires to umm--"

"Eeerrr, no, Mr. and Mrs. Kent, if I've ,umm, interpreted your intentions correctly, the U.P./Earth Gov/Time Institute authorities would not allow us to provide the devices for Superboy."

"Ohh, we realize that, Brainiac 5! But still, Mon-El's homeworld, Daxam, it still exists in this time, doesn't it?"

"Eeerrr, yes, why do you ask, Mrs. Kent?"

"Just thinking out loud, Brainy, about something I'll have to talk to Mon-El about, is all."

####################

Over the following four days the Kents take in the sights of thirtieth century Metropolis. All the while the Legionnaires wait and wonder what will happen when Mon-El returns to Legion HQ. The Kents and some of the Legionnaires are in the commissary, having dinner on the evening of the fifth day of their stay. Mon-El enters the room.

"Hey, Mon! Welcome back, buddy! Look who's visiting from the twentieth century!"

"Who, Jo? Mr. and Mrs. Kent!?! What brings you to the thirtieth century!?!"

"Well, Clark's on spring break, so Pa and I decided to come visit you all. We've always wondered what this century was like."

"Ohh, all right, glad I'm back in time to see you."

"We're, umm, looking forward to having a good long talk with you Mon-El."

He groans inwardly, thinking: 'Wonderful! Clark must have told them everything! Now they'll try to help!' Aloud: "Sure, Mrs. Kent, umm, after dinner all right?" He goes to the food dispenser to get his own meal. He sits at the table with the Kents, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Phantom Girl, and Brainiac 5. The others chat among themselves as he eats. As he finishes, Shadow Lass walks up to him.

"Welcome back, Mon! I missed you!"

"Ohh, umm, thanks, I guess."

"Mon, we need to talk. Come with me, please?"

"I-I-- Ohh, all right, might as well get it over and done with. Excuse us, be right back." As they walk away, behind his back, she mouthes to the others at the table: "DON'T WAIT UP!!"

They stare at each other stunned: "Land sakes! Jon, you don't think she'll really--"

"She's a determined young woman, Martha!"

"Good gosh, Ma, Pa what do you think she's pla--" Superboy blushes as he realizes what his parents believe. "--b-but i-it wouldn't be safe for her! I-I mean Mon'd never hurt her on purpose but--" The others interupt and explain to him why Mon's powers won't be a problem. "WOW! That's great! IF Mon goes along with it."

"Umm, she was in the Med-bay yesterday, using the medi-computer to research, umm, Daxamite erogenous zones! Given her single minded determination, if I were a betting man, I'd bet on Shady!"

"Brainy! You're not serious are you? I-I mean researching Mon's erogenous zones! I-it seems so--so cold!"

"Hardly cold, Tinya! Simply, umm, I would guess, eeerrr, making sure she'll, umm, touch the right places to get the desired response! A quite logical approach to take!"

"Ohh, Jumping Jehosephat! Brainy's right! Of course she'd try to learn his, umm, pleasure points! They're two different species! If she tried asking him, he'd run like a jackrabbit! And she can't just assume his are the same as a male from her world's would be! S-she's just showing good sense, is all!"

"I agree with both of you, Jon! Mon-El won't know what hit him! But I surely hope he, well, they enjoy it!"

"Hahaha! I agree, Mrs. Kent! If I didn't think they'd both want to kill me for it, I'd be tempted to, umm, phase into her quarters to, umm, take a peek!"

"TINYA! Don't you dare!!"

"I love you, honey, but I'd have to agree with them! Though I must admit I'm almost tempted to peek with my penetra-vision!"

"Land sakes! That's enough of such talk! Let's just agree that we all hope she does what she's planning!"

"Right you are, Martha!"

"Yeah, Ma!" *SIGH*

"Clark, what's the matter, son?"

"Ohh, nothing, Ma! Honestly! I-it's just, I guess I'm a little envious, is all! The technology doesn't exist in our time so--"

"Yes, son, we know, but maybe someday, when you're Superman, you'll find a way to duplicate this technology!"

####################

Mon-El and Shady are walking towards her quarters:

"Eeerr, Shady, I don't think going to your quarters is such a good ide--"

"Now, Mon, we need to talk, and my quarters will afford us the privacy we need. No interruptions or anyone overhearing us!"

"Umm, guess you're right." They walk along in silence, each thinking about the coming discussion, though not in the same way.

She is going over what she learned about Daxamite erogenous zones. He is trying to think of the right words to break off their barely started relationship. Arriving at her quarters, she opens the door and locks it after they've entered. She tells him to take a seat on the couch while she goes to the replicator and orders some Saurean brandy. Picking up the decanter, she adjusts the lighting and activates the devices Brainy installed earlier. Placing the decanter and glasses on the table in front of the couch, she pours the brandy, handing Mon his. Raising her glass: "I propose a toast! To us and our future together!"

"I-I'm sorry, I can't."

"Please, Mon, Lar! We're both Legionnaires and our future is together with the Legion!"

"All right, then." They click their glasses and drain them.

"Whew, it's hot in here! Wait a nano! I shouldn't be affected by the heat in here! What's going on!?!"

"Nothing, Lar, I set my quarters thermostat at eighty degrees; Talok VIII is much warmer than Earth, and I haven't quite acclimated yet."

"That doesn't answer why I'm feeling the heat!"

"Ohh, that! Well, I, umm, went to see Madame Xiang and--" While he stares openmouthed, she explains what happened while he was away on Preztor.

*Laughing* "Gods! I wish I'd been there to see the look on her face! Umm, thank you for putting an end to those blasted messages!"

"You're welcome, though it was my pleasure!"

She places her left hand on his chest. "Lar, I, umm, understand your, umm, reservations about us, but I know we'll have a wonderful life together, if you'll just try to get past them."

"S-shady, I-I don--"

"SSHH, don't talk or think! Just feel!" She leans over and kisses him thoroughly. She opens his tunic, caressing his chest, unbuckles his belt and slips the tunic off his shoulders. He breaks the kiss: "Umm, Shady, I--"

"Just feel, Lar, trust me!" She kisses him again, caressing his chest and shoulders, she kisses his eyes, and his breath catches in his throat. When he's breathing again: "Shady! Please listen to--"

"No, Lar, you listen! I'm not going to let you hide behind your emotional barriers any more! I know we'll be a good match! So let's get going on it! I love you! And I know you love me, or you would if you let yourself feel it! Let me show you how much and prove how much. And how good it will be! If you want, we can slow down a little bit, but we're going to make love tonight!"

She refills his glass: "Here, relax and drink this, I'm going to play my vaiolina for you. That should help you relax and get in the spirit of the night!"

She goes to a large, ornately inlaid chest. From it she takes out her vaiolina, which strongly resembles an Earth violin. She plays a long, slow melody as he listens and drinks. At the end she returns it back in the chest.

"That was beautiful, Shady, you play very well."

"Thank you, it's an ancient love song. Traditionally played by the females of my tribe for their men just before their first mating. Though she can play it again as often as they wish afterward." She takes his right hand in her left, urging him to stand. Together they walk toward the bedroom door.

"I will never leave you, Lar! I cannot promise I will not die before you do, but I can and do promise to do everything I can to prevent that from happening. Only death will take me from you! The only way this relationship will end during our lifetimes is if you leave me!"

"Shady, I-I don--"

"Shh, no more talking! Now is a time for feeling and acting on the feelings!"

She pulls down the bedcovers, removes her clothes, and gets in the bed. "Come, Lar, I've told you I love you. Now I'll show you!" Crawling to the side of the bed where he's standing, she takes his hand and kisses it, saying: "Please Lar, join with me tonight! If you still want to go in the morning, though I won't give up trying to change your mind, I won't stop you leaving." She caresses his bare chest, slipping her hands to his back, she strokes and caresses his spine. Kissing his lips and eyes, she whispers in his ear, entreating him to remove his remaining clothing and join her in the bed.

With a groan of defeat, he returns her kiss, then sits on the edge of the bed to remove his boots. She continues her assult, stroking his sensitive areas along his spine, she nips his earlobe. Groaning, he removes his pants and turning to her, kisses her urgently, laying her back on the bed.

He kisses her neck, collarbones, and breasts. He sucks her nipples until they're as hard as pebbles in his mouth. She moans with pleasure, encouraging him to continue lower still. He parts the ebony curls shielding her feminine core. He presses his index finger into her opening: "Shady! I don't want to hurt you, you're too small! I'll rip you if we--"

"It's all right, Lar, my mother told me, we Talok women, umm, stretch to accomodate the males, umm, greater size. I know there'll be pain as well as pleasure this time. And only pleasure each time after this one! I love you, and I want to show you how much. Please, let's just enjoy ourselves."

Spreading her legs farther apart, she waits as he positions himself between them. Kissing and caressing her, he slowly begins to enter her, feeling the tightness of her sheath, and fearing he'll hurt her if he continues, he tries to withdraw. Wrapping her legs around his hips with surprising strength, she pulls him down, even as she raises her pelvis to meet his, embedding him in her to the hilt. She can't help gasping at the sharp pain, even as she wills her muscles to relax and accept his invasion of her.

He lies motionless, afraid any movement will hurt her even more than she is: "Gods, Shady! Tasmia, why--"

"I'm all right, Lar, really! Just give me a minute--"

"Gods, you're so small! We shouldn't con--"

"It's all right, Lar. I'll, umm, stretch and adjust to your, umm, you know, it doesn't hurt, really!" She rocks her pelvis, encouraging him to move as well. He slowly withdraws and begins the rhythmic movements that will give them pleasure. Over and over again, slowly and gently, he thrusts into her. She moans with both pain and pleasure, with her encouragement, his thrusts become harder and faster. Joining in the rhythm, she thrusts her pelvis up to meet his, they kiss and caress each other as the tension builds within them. Finally they cry out their ecstasy as they reach the pinnicle of pleasure together.

He begins to withdraw from her, but she prevents it, wrapping her arms and legs around him and tilting her pelvis to keep him embedded in her. "Umm, Tasmia, I'm too heavy to stay on top of you, let me--"

"No! I want you in me! Please stay, but we could turn over so I'm on top." Rolling over, she snuggles down on top of him, nestling her head beneath his chin: *Yawn* "The night's still young, but I'm a little tired. Let's nap for a little while, then we'll, umm, talk a little, and see what else we'll do."

"What else we'll do!?! Tasmia, you must be sore, maybe even hurt! We're not going to do any--"

"Let's wait and see, Lar! I'm fine, really! Just a little sleepy."

*sigh* "All right, Tasmia, go to sleep."

####################

A few hours later:

Waking she begins to caress his scrotum with her right hand, kisses his pulse points along his neck, and caress his nipples with her left hand. Gratified to feel his erection as if grows within her, she kisses him deeply, slipping her tongue in his mouth she moans with growing need.

"Umm, Tasmia, wait, we shouldn't--"

"No, Lar, I want this! I need it! And I know you want it too!"

He turns them over, kissing her, as he tries to withdraw: "What the--!?! We're, umm, stuck together, b-but how--!?!"

"Umm, never mind, Lar, let's soak in the hot tub, that should take care of the problem."

"Eeerrr, all right, wrap your legs around me." She complies, and he carefully carries her to the hot tub and gets into it. Once they're settled in the water, she reaches for a jar and adds some dried crushed herbs to the water. "Ahh, those smell nice, but why'd--"

"They'll, umm, soothe my, eerrr--"

"Ohh, yes, I understand."

She reaches into a different jar for some soft soap; lathering her hands she reaches down to clean their joined pelvic areas. Finally, she rises and pulls free, clasping him to her breast so he won't see her wince of pain. She turns from him and begins to more thoroughly cleanse her lower body, she asks him to scrub her back, keeping her face out of his line of sight so he won't see as she winces as she cleans her torn flesh, thankful that he has no idea she's hurt, she thinks: 'Ancestors! Mother told me the first mating would hurt! But I thought she said there wouldn't be tearing like this! Umm, I guess Daxamites are more endowed there than the males of Talok VIII! Gods, I hope it won't hurt again tonight! Mother said I'd stretch to accomadate my man, just hope my body is able to stretch enough! He'll leave me if it doesn't, I couldn't bear that!'

She finishes her bath and turns back to face him as he finishes his bath, she scrubs his back, lingering on the areas she knows will arouse him. He groans with pleasure as he turns to face her. She encourages him to sit, then bends to kiss him hungrily, reaching under the water, she fondles his burgeoning erection. She positions herself and guides him into her, moaning with both pain and pleasure as her torn flesh stretches around him. He groans louder as she begins the rhythmic movements that will take them both to the limit of their endurance and beyond to ecstasy. He thrusts upward to meet her downward thrust as he caresses her breasts and buttocks. Finally, she begins to contract around him, and he spews his seed with each contraction. They both scream their pleasure and satisfaction. She collapses onto his chest, and they doze for a while.

Waking before he does, she carefully disengages their joined bodies, thankful that it doesn't hurt and she isn't bleeding again. She exits the hot tub and quietly goes to the bed, seeing the bloody sheet, she hurries to change the sheet before he can see it, thinking: 'Ancestors help me! If he sees this he'll fly out of here as though his powers worked! No way am I going to let that happen! He's finally coming around to my way of thinking, but if he thinks he'll hurt me every time we mate, he'll go back behind those defenses of his!"

She quickly balls up the old sheet, throws it into the disposal, and replicates an exact copy sans the bloodstains of the old sheet. Putting it on the bed, she rolls in the bed to give it the rumpled look she needs.

"Umm, Tasmia, where are yo--"

"Over here, my love, in the bed." Exiting the tub and drying, he goes to his discarded clothes. "Leave them, Lar, come here."

Going to her: "Yes, Tasmia, wha--" Sitting up and wrapping her arms around his neck, she kisses him deeply, with a tug she pulls him down onto the bed once more. Continuing the kiss, she reaches down with her left hand, caressing and fondling his limp organ. It responds to her ministrations, quickly becoming erect and hard. Parting her legs she guides his erection into her hot sheath, thrusting her pelvis up to completely engulf him.

*Groan* "Tasmia, don't, we ca--"

"Yes, we can, Lar! The night's still young! Ohh, Gods, that feels so good! I love how you feel inside me, Lar!"

####################

In the morning, she wakes before he does. Watching him sleeping peacefully, she thinks: 'Amazing how young and innocent he looks in sleep, so peaceful and relaxed! I know I can help him overcome his past, if he'll let me!' Leaning down she kisses him good morning. Waking and returning the kiss: "MMMMMM, I could get used to this as a way to wake up!"

"Ohh Lar! I'm so happy to hear you say that!" She caresses his chest, nuzzling his jaw and neck.

"Umm, Tasmia, are you sur--"

"Yes, Lar! I want to make love with you, NOW!" Lying back, she urges him to join her, with one thrust they are intimately joined as one. Both groaning with the building tension and pleasure, each murmuring nonesense words to each other.

####################

Meanwhile in the Kent's quarters:

They awaken and dress. They go to Mon-El's quarters, but there's no answer. "Hmm, I guess Tasmia's plans for last night went off without a hitch, Martha!"

"Yes, Jon, it appears so. Let's go to her quarters, they should be getting ready to go to breakfast." Arriving at her quarters: "The door intercom indicates they're in there, Jon. But they're not answering, umm, could be they've overslept." She enters the code Sun Boy taught them.

"Martha! We can't just walk in on them!" But Martha has already entered, Jonathan following her in.

Picking up Mon's discarded tunic and cape: "Well, Jon, he's definitely here! And I'd say the night went the way she wanted it to!"

"MARTHA CLARK KENT! C'mon, we've got no business in here without her inviting us in! They cou--"

"Now Jonathan! I don't hear anything, so they're probably asleep! I'm going to go wake them."

She walks into the bedroom, just as the two lovers reach orgasam, shouting each others names.

"LANDAGOSHEN!"

"MRS. KENT!?! B-but how--!?!"

"ANCESTORS! HOW IN THE SHADOWS' NAME!?!"

Pa rushes in behind his wife: "JUMPING JEHOSEPHAT! Martha I TOLD you not to come in here!"

"Umm, excuse me, folks, but if you'll wait in the living room, Lar and I will join you as soon as we're dressed."

"OHH, OHH, YES, of course! I'm so sorry! Let's go, Jon!" They leave as fast as they can.

"Gods! How'd they get in here!?! Tasmia you locked the door didn't yo--"

"Yes, I did! Never mind that now, we have to get out there!" Quickly getting out of the bed, they rinse off in the tub, dress and join the waiting Kents. Entering the living room they find the Kents sitting on the couch. Retrieveing his discarded tunic, he puts it on.

"Eeerrr, how did you get in here, ma'am? I locked the door when Lar and I came in last night!"

"Why I entered the code Sun Boy taught us the day we arrived, dear, 2968."

"WHAT!?! THAT IDIOT! I'M GOING TO--"

"Calm down, Lar my love! Much as I'd love to help you do him some bodily harm, we better leave him to Ultra Boy."

"Why, dear?"

"Obviously Martha, Sun Boy taught us the code that will open all the doors, not just the door to our quarters!"

"Right you are, sir. But you obviously wanted to see one of us badly, and I assume it's Lar you want to talk to, so unless you don't mind my being here--"

"Land sakes, child! This's your room! Besides I'm sure Mon would tell you what was said, if you weren't here to hear it yourself."

"I would, as long as you and Mr. Kent didn't ask me not to tell her. So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well, ummm, your home world, Daxam, it still exists in this time? It hasn't shared Krypton's fate, has it?"

"N-no, ma'am, Daxam's still here, I've got distant relatives there. But what does that have to do with what you wa--"

"Well, son, Ma and I, well, we would like you to take us, and Clark, there. And, umm, well, if you know a young woman who'd be willing to, that is, umm--"

His jaw drops as he realizes exactly what the Kents want him to do, thinking: 'GOOD GODS! They want me to take Superboy to Daxam and get him a sex partner! Who do they think I am, MADAME XIANG!?! Blast! I-I can't say no to Ma and Pa! Not after all they did for me!'

Masking his turmoil: "Sure, I can do that, but I-I'll have to, umm, get some leave time from Jo. And make some calls so at least some of the neccessary arrangements are made before we arrive."

"Wonderful! Thank you, son, but, umm, Clark doesn't know about any of this--"

"Don't worry, ma'am, he won't know what's up until it's over with. Umm, you both realize, this is a one-time-only occasion? I don't think it would be wise to repeat this, ever!"

"Yes, Ma and I realize that, son. We-we just want him to experience the, umm, you know, at least once!"

"Yes, of course, sir. Though I assure you, he wouldn't be a celibate his entire life!"

"That's as may be, dear. But unless he figures out a way to duplicate the technology Tasmia got from that Xiang woman, he'll never be able to, well, just let himself go, if you get my drift."

*SIGH* "Yes, ma'am, I get it. You want him to enjoy the sexual act at least once without the constant worry and fear of hurting his partner."

"Well, let's go eat, then get this, umm, show on the road? Is that the correct saying, Lar?"

*Laughs* "Yes, Shady, my love, that's the right saying."

"Wh-What did you just call me!?!"

"I called you 'my love,' you are that! And I'm not going to fight it any more."

"Tarnation, took you long enough to figure that out, son! Now let's go eat, I'm getting right fond of that souma fruit! Going to miss it when Ma and I go back home!"

"Now, Jon, maybe Clark can bring you some for Christmas or your birthday! But you're right, let's go eat! I'm sure that these two worked up quite an appetite!"

The two in question blush furiously. "Now, Martha! Quit teasing them! He's turning as red as his shirt! She's turning a darker shade of blue! They're going to help us get Clark to Daxam and teasing them is no way to say thank you!"

"Oohh Mon, Tasmia dear, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to embarrass you!"

"That's all right, ma'am. No harm done."

"Mon, son, y-you used to call me Ma! I-I don't recall telling you to stop, so why did you?"

"I-I don't remember exactly why, Mrs., umm, Ma. To stay sane during the millennium in the Zone took a lot of forgetting."

"Ooohh of course, but we prefer it, you calling us Ma and Pa!"

"All right, Ma, Pa, I'll try to remember that. Now let's go! You are right about my appetite at least, Ma! I'm starved!"

####################

Shortly in the Legion commissary:

The four have joined Ultra Boy, Phantom Girl, Brainiac 5 and Superboy for breakfast.

"Jo, Dirk's mouth has run away with him again. He told Ma and Pa the master code for all the HQ door locks, instead of the code for their room."

"HE WHAT!?! Mon, you're kidding! Seriously!?! He's toast! I'm going to have a long talk with him! Hmmm, what besides monitor duty does he hate doing? I know! He hates doing the maintenance work in the botanical/hydroponics room! Six months of that on top of the monitor duty should get it through his thick skull to think before he opens his mouth!"

"Well, I'll hone the blade of my skinning knife, Jo, just in case! This makes the second time in a week he's caused me humiliation! One more time, and I will collect at least some of his hide in payment!"

"Second time? What do you mean, Shady?" She answers Tinya's question. "OOHH, Mistress! I'll help you do it Shady! Something's got to be done! That moron! Too bad Jo can't put him on indefinite monitor board duty!"

"Well, Tinya, unfortunately, I can't do that! I wish I could! He deserves it! Brainy, you better change the master code, no telling who besides the Kents Dirk blabbed it to!"

"Agreed, Jo. Better to change it. I doubt Dirk was foolish enough to tell anyone else, but we can't afford to take the risk!"

"Umm, Brainy, when you get the chance, eeerrrr--"

"Yes, Mon? What can I do for-- oooohhh, I see. You want the devices installed in your quarters, correct?"

"Correct, Brainy! Ahh, almost forgot! Umm, Jo, Superboy, Shady and I need a few days leave."

"Ohh. When, Mon?"

"Umm, later today, I've got a few arrangements to make before we leave, ohh, and we'll need a cruiser, too."

"HUH? What's up, Mon? I can't leave Ma and Pa--"

"No, Clark, Ma and I are coming too."

"Oohh all right, Pa. B-but where are we going that we need a cruiser!?!"

"Why, Mon's taking us to Daxam, for a few days, Clark."

"DAXAM!?! Ma, y-you're kidding, aren't you? I-I won't have any powers there!"

"Yes, dear, that's why we need a cruiser."

"Sure, Mon, will five days be long enough?"

"That should be more than enough, thanks Jo."

"Shady, while Mon's doing whatever it is he needs to do, why don't you and I take Mrs. Kent shopping for some vacation clothes? Mon, what's the climate on Daxam like where you'll be this time of year?"

"Huh? Oohh, summer, Tinya."

"Great! C'mon Shady, Mrs. Kent, as you'd say times a-wasting! We'll take my aero-car."

"Sure, Tinya, sounds like a good idea. Let's go, ma'am. Mon, what time do you want us back?"

"Oh, I should have everything arranged, and the cruiser's preflight systems check done by, ooh, five o'clock, that good for you ladies? Nearly nine hours of shopping time enough?"

"Land sakes! It's more than enough time, since Tasmia and Tinya are the only ones who'll be shopping!"

"Ohh, yeah, Ma! I forgot to give this to you." Superboy hands her an Omni-comp. "Shady and Tinya will show you how to use it to pay for whatever you buy, Ma."

"Ohh, all right, son. Jon, you want to--"

"No, Martha, you ladies have yourselves a gals' day. I'll just stay here and do whatever I can to help the boys."

####################

Tasmia and Tinya have changed into civvies, and the three are in Tinya's aero-car, headed for the shopping district.

"Tasmia, dear, you've been awfully quiet, is something wrong?"

"N-not wrong exactly, b-but I, umm, need to go to the Medi-Center."

"What!?! B-but why!?! Y-you're not sick are you, Shady?"

"No, I-I'm not ill, Tinya. Ooohh, this is embarrassing!"

"What is it, dear? You can tell us, we'll help you anyway we can, right, Tinya?"

"Of course, Mrs. Kent. What's the matter, Tasmia? You said you're not sick so-- Mistress! You-you're hurt! What did Mon do to you? I-I thought the devices--"

"Tinya! Mon didn't, that is he tried to stop but I-I forced, I mean--"

"Land sakes, both of you calm down! Tinya, you get us to this Me- medi place. Tasmia, slowly and calmly, tell us exactly what happened last night. I know my boy Mon-El! He would never hurt you! Not on purpose!"

"Ahh, I'm sorry I've upset you, ma'am. It wasn't his fault at all! It was just, well, umm, you have to understand. It was just the difference in our physiologies/anatomies! To start with I, umm, don't know much about human anatomy but, umm, a Talokite female's mating passage-- well, it's, umm, I guess plugged with, umm, it's not skin exactly-- but the Talokite males, umm, they secrete from the tip of their manhood, umm, an enzyme, that causes it to dissolve even as he, umm, first, umm--"

"Yes, dear, we, ahh, get the idea!"

"Well, obviously Lar doesn't secrete it! When he felt how, umm, he thought I was simply too small for him. He tried to stop. But I-I used my legs to, well, pull him down into me. Without his powers I'm stronger than he is. B-but without the enzyme to dissolve it, the plug ripped a-and he was too big. I-I think I'm ripped, down there. I-I cleansed myself and applied healing herbs to the bath water, b-but it's still hurting! I-I knew we shouldn't do anything more, after the first time. B-but I was also afraid if he realized the truth about what happened h-he'd never touch me again! S-so I-I destroyed the bloody sheet, replaced it while he dozed in the hot tub, a-and when he tried to leave, seduced him again, several more times in the course of the night. H-he has no idea about this, a-and I never want him to!"

"Oh, Lordy! You poor thing! I'm sure everything will be all right."

"Sure, Mrs. Kent, we've arrived, don't worry Shady, I'm sure the med-techs can, umm, repair the damage, and ensure there won't be a repeat of this! And we'll keep your secret. I think you're right, Mon never has to know about this!"

"Ancestors! Please Gods, let him never learn of it!"

"I don't know about that, girls. Seems to me he'll find out, sooner or later! And it would be best if he learned this from you, Tasmia! From what I've seen, people haven't changed as far as loving celebrity gossip is concerned! If someone at this medi-place recognizes you and learns enough about this...!"

"Mistress! You've got a point there, Mrs. Kent! If some nurse or Meditech, or file clerk gets a look at the records and blabs to the holo-news...! Shady, you better tell Mon about this as soon as we get back to HQ! He'll go supernova if he learns this from the holo-news!"

"Ohh, Ancestors! Y-you're right, both of you! B-but I-I'm just worried he'll--"

"We know, dear. But you have to have faith in your love for him and in his for you!" They've reached the entrance reception area. "B-but here we go to, oh Lord! I-it's a crab!" They've reached the receptionist's desk, Mrs. Kent is surprised by the appearance of the person sitting behind it.

"Hello, I'm A'nigll Grk'll, how may I be of assistance?"

Tasmia steps forward. "I need to see, umm, a doctor, one who knows Talokite physiology."

"Ahh, you're the Talokite Legionnaire, Shadow Lass, correct? Dr. Gym'll can be of assistance to you. I'll inform him you're here." She uses her vid-com to inform Dr. Gym'll. Minutes later he bursts into the reception area: "Yes, Legionnaire, what is the problem!?! Come along, come along! This way to the examining room!"

They follow him, listening as he mutters to himself all the way. Upon entering the examining room: "All right, get on the Medi-bed and we'll see what the problem is!" Using his hand held biomed-scanner:" Well, I see you've chosen to mate outside of your own species! Foolishly, I might add! You should have come to me beforehand! It would have spared you the pain! Ahh well, nothing irreparable! Though, hmm, you've lost a lot of blood. A transfusion wouldn't be a bad idea. But, first, we'll repair the damage. Now spread your legs please."

####################

Meanwhile back at Legion HQ in Mon-El's quarters:

Lar is at his vid-com, arranging for the trip to Daxam: "So, Laz, we should be there early tomorrow morning. Ahh, you know that I owe the Kent family a ka'duaspa'h? Well, umm Mr. and Mrs. Kent have asked that I, eeerrrr, provide their son Clark, with, umm, a bedmate."

"Ahh, I see, do you wish to take him to a Stress Control Center or--"

"No Center! Clark would never agree to that! But, umm, if you--"

"A kinswoman of ours, you haven't meet her, Laurel Gand, her twenty-first birthday is soon. I shall inquire if she would, umm, prefer to, ahh, assist you in this matter. I know she has not met anyone she desires to mate with, and that she finds the idea of going to a Center repugnant."

"Yes, that would be fine! But, ahh, she should know, after they've, umm, mated, it would be best if he believed I had, umm, paid her to mate with him. This has to be the only trip he makes to Daxam. He's the type to fall madly in love with his first bedmate. But if he believes that she's a professional, he'll never want to return to Daxam."

"Yes, I shall make the situation clear. I shall have her call you within an Earth hour with her answer."

"Thank you, Laz, that will be fine. Farewell until we meet at the spaceport tomorrow then."

"Farewell until we meet."

After the screen goes blank, he sits thinking: 'Well that was humiliating! I hope this Laurel's willing to do it! I don't want to have to go through that conversation again! Umm, still have nearly an hour before she'll call. The cruiser's all set. Well, Shady obviously did some research on my erogenous areas! The least I can do is research hers! No matter what she said, I don't think she enjoyed last night's bedplay as much as I did. Gods, she played me as well as she plays that vaiolina of hers! Soo the least I can do is learn her pleasure points as well as she's learned mine!'

He turns to his computer console: "Computer, access Legion medi-comp records for Talokite reproductive/sexual physiology and display." On the screen the information appears, as he reads it he becomes upset, the more he reads, the more upset he becomes. Finished reading, he leaves his quarters and goes to Shady's.

He enters, and since the devices are off, with his x-ray and microscopic visions, he quickly learns what he'd come to find out. He returns to his quarters to await Laurel's call. As he waits he fumes, muttering to himself: "Good Gods! That little idiot! From the bloodstain on the mattress, she had to be in agony! No wonder we were stuck together! Y-yet she--she stopped me from leaving when we got out of the hot tub! And she kept making love, when it must have been painful for her! I-I just don't understand! Why did she keep doing it? Just have to wait for her to get back. Blast it! I hope she at least had enough sense to go to the Medi-Center!"

*BZZZT* The vid-com interrupts his musings; on the screen the face of a beautiful blonde, with blue/green eyes ppears: "Hello, Tuwan Lar, I am Laurel. Tuwan Laz has explained the situation to me. I will be honored to help you pay back the ka'duaspa'h! It will also serve to, umm, enable me to comply with the letter of the Stress Control laws! I shall be able to avoid going to the Stress Control Center to actually copulate with a total stranger. I have concluded that this Clark Kent is better known as Superboy, your fellow Legionnaire, correct?"

"Yes, Laurel, that's correct."

"Very well, I, umm, think it would be better if he not know that I am your kinswoman. When you introduce us, tell him my name is Dannella Zavrel'kama. I shall change my hair and eye color, umm, I believe his future wife had black hair and ice blue eyes. I shall do my best to, umm, see that he experiences complete sexual satisfaction. Umm, do you know if his erogenous zones are the same as ours? No matter, I shall do my best for you, Tuwan. I may not succeed in completely repaying the ka'duaspa'h, but it shall not be due to a lack of trying!"

"Ahh, thank you, Laurel. Y-you are, umm, bu'sai, correct?"

"Yes, Tuwan, is that a problem?"

"N-no, but, umm, Laz has a home medi/surgi unit, doesn't he?"

"Of course, every household on Daxam has one."

"Good, do you know how to program its, umm, surgi-function?"

"Yes, b-but why-- Ooh, of course! I understand! I shall see to it! Clark shall have no inkling that I'm as inexperienced in bedplay as he is! Though I assure you neither he nor I shall be inexperienced when he leaves Daxam. How long shall you and your party be here on Daxam?"

"Five Terran days, Laurel."

"Good, I shall, umm, merely entertain him the first day, most likely seduce him the second day. And if it is agreeable to you and his parents, copulate with him as many times as possible every chance I get thereafter, until shortly before your departure. After the last mating, I shall, umm, let slip that I was paid to see to his, umm, sexual needs. That is what you had in mind? To convince him that I'm a professional stress control center worker, yes?"

Yes, that will be fine, Laurel. Thank you for agreeing to do this!"

"No need to thank me, Tuwan, as I said earlier, it serves my needs as well as yours! I'll see to my, umm, bu'sai state."

"Very well, farewell until then, Laurel."

"Farewell until then, Tuwan." The screen goes blank.

*BZZZT* "Come in, Superboy, Pa."

"Hey, son, you ready to get some lunch? How are the arrangements going? Anything Clark or I can do to help?"

"No, Pa, everything's fine. The cruisers all set, and I've made all the necessary arrangements. Let's go eat lunch."

####################

In the commissary, they find Dream Girl, Light Lass, Saturn Girl, and Brainiac 5. Getting their meals they join the others.

"Well, Mon, I dreamt that you and Shady had quite a time this morning, you poor things! Having Mr. and Mrs. Kent walk in at such an awkward moment!"

"Jumping Jehosephat! Young lady, didn't your mother teach you that some things you keep to yourself!?! You're Dream Girl, right!?! So you knew beforehand what was going to happen this morning! That doesn't give you the right to embarrass us by letting the world know! Did it ever occur to you that maybe we'd rather keep it just between ourselves!?! Good grief girl, my wife would really give you what for if she'd heard you just now! And I don't even want to think about what Tasmia's reaction would be!"

"I-I'm sorry, sir. I was just teasing. Y-you're right, of course!"

"I'm not the only one you need to apologize to!"

*SIGH* "Yes, sir, Mr. Kent. I'm sorry, Mon! I-I should have kept my dream to myself!"

"Yes, you should have, Dreamy, but it's not your nature to. That was too juicy a bit of gossip to keep to yourself. Ahh, well, no harm done, I guess. But I wouldn't count on Shady or Ma being as, ahh, understanding about it! Especially since, unlike me, they may not have any qualms about slapping you for it."

"That's right, Dreamy, I wasn't there when Shady dealt with Madame Xiang, but I did see Mrs. Kent deal with her! I don't think either of them will be too happy with you when they hear about this! Better you than me!"

"Right you are, Luornu! I did see Shady handle Madame Xiang! Dreamy, you really should have kept that dream to yourself!"

"Ohh, thanks, Lu, Imra, you're a big help!" *Sigh* "Hopefully, Jo will send me off on a mission, a nice long mission! That will keep me away from Shady until she calms down! And long enough that Mr. and Mrs. Kent will be back in their own time period!"

"Ohh, I'm sure Jo can keep you away long enough for the Kents to return home. But long enough for Shady to calm down? That I seriously doubt, Nura! In fact, I'd calculate the odds of that happening at, umm, 199.9999999999 to 1, to be exact!"

"Ohh, wonderful! That's not helping my nerves, Brainy!"

"It wasn't meant to, Nura. I simply didn't want you to delude yourself with false hope! You're the one who will have to face Shady's ire when she learns of this! As Luornu put it, better you than me!"

"Ohh, for crying out loud! Let's just drop the subject already!"

"All right, Superboy. Umm, the Inner World Databank Show with Aleza Sheri starts in a second. I'll turn on the vid-screen."

"Sure, Nura! Can't have you not up on the latest gossip!"

"Of course, you wouldn't be interested it yourself, would you, Ayla?"

On the screen, Aleza appears; Mr. Kent is startled by her appearance. "Jumping Jehosephat! I-is that a male or a female!?! Whichever it is, it looks like something out of a science fiction dime novel! Like it's a cross between an insect and a stalk of broccoli!"

"Umm, she's the top gossip commentator in the U.P., Pa. Not all sentient species look like Earthers."

"Ohh, I realize that, Mon! Just don't see any like her back home, is all!"

Everyone laughs at that.

"That's true, Pa! But we all better quiet down so Dreamy can hear the show."

"Sure, Clark. Sorry, young lady."

From the vid screen: "Legionnaire Dream Girl looked, dare I say it!?! Dreamy in a slinky skintight dress at the City Star last night. But the gentleman on her arm was not her main squeeze and fellow Legionnaire Star Boy!

"Too bad her newest teammate, Shadow Lass, didn't go with her. If she had she might have spared herself a trip to see Dr. Gym'll at the Metropolis Medi-Center this morning! Exact details are sketchy, but she was given a transfusion, and needed surgery! The surgery was performed on her, umm, reproductive canal! Apparently, her lover is not careful of her! Poor girl! She should look for a new man! One who'll be more considerate! No word yet on the identity of her callous lover, but keep watching! I promise I will identify him!

"Now you won't believe what two married, though not to each other, holo-vid stars were at the Crab Nebula last night carryi--" Dream Girl turns off the vid-screen, everyone is looking at Mon-El, unable to think of anything to say. He sits seemingly paralyzed, unable to move or speak.

"Good grief! H-how could such a--a vicious, libelous story be allowed to be aired! I guess people aren't that different from the folks back home!"

"Sadly, you are correct, Mr. Kent, though, umm, I believe that the show's production staff, ahh, carefully verify a story before it's broadcast!"

"Tarnation! Brainiac 5, y-you don't actually believe t-that nonsense!?! Mon-El wouldn't-- Besides she certainly didn't seem to be in any--" Mon suddenly leaves the room.

"Mr. Kent, while I, too, don't believe for a nanosecond that Mon-El deliberately hurt her, I've, umm, done research on Talokite physiology and anatomy, strictly in my function as Legion Med-tech. There is a very real possibility that she was hurt in the, umm, course of their, ahh, night of passion."

"Why do you say that, Brainy?"

"Simple, Superboy, you see..." He explains to all of them.

"Jumping Jehosephat! What was she thinking!?! S-She should have seen the doctor beforehand, not afterward!"

"Certainly, Mr. Kent. But it's over and done with. Now the problem is the gossip storm that's only just begun! And helping Mon and Shady get through it together!"

"Right, Imra! Mon's probably steaming! And he's got every right to be! The question is, just how angry is he? Because that's what will determine whether or not he and Shady stay together as a couple!"

"You've got that right, Ayla. But until Shady gets back, there isn't much we can do!"

*Sigh* "Yes, Superboy, you're right, unfortunately!"

####################

Meanwhile, having been assured by Dr. Gym'll that she's now in perfect health, and gaining his word not to enter the procedure into her file until the following morning, the three left the Medi-Center and proceeded to the shopping district. They enjoy several hours of shopping. Their last stop is a lingerie shop, Ishtarti's Secrets.

"You sure about this place, Tinya!?!"

"Yes, Tasmia, I guarantee you'll find an outfit here that Mon won't be able to resist you in or remain angry with you after you two have that little talk."

*Giggle* "I certainly hope you're right! Last night was, umm, not as enjoyable as it would have been, if I'd done as Dr. Gym'll was soo vocal in telling me I should have done! Ancestors, but he's an annoying sentient! But he's a fine doctor!"

"Yes, but his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired! Land sakes, he's a grouchy whatever he is!"

All three laugh, then continue to look through the merchandise. "OHH, Tasmia! Come look at this!" Tinya holds up a scarlet silk negligee, floor length, sleeveless, with a plunging V-neck and back. The sides are slit to the hip. "Try it on, Tasmia! I think you'll look fantastic in it! And I'll bet Mon will, too!"

Tasmia takes it from her and goes to the changing room. When she emerges she twirls slowly so they see it from all angles. "So what do you think?"

"Mistress! Shady, you could raise a dead man in that! Mon-El won't stand a chance of resisting you in it!"

"Ohh, Lordy! I agree, Tinya! Tasmia dear, you look wonderful in that! And you definitely have the figure for it!"

"Thanks, Tinya, Mrs. Kent, I just hope Lar agrees with you two! Hmm, I wonder if they have this in more colors?"

"They sure do, Shady! They've got it in tangerine, lilac, gold, teal, and fuchsia."

"Great, Tinya! A different color each night! At least Lar will have his choice of colors."

"Ohh, my poor boy! You're going to wear him out! But I'm sure he'll enjoy it! Actually, you'll both enjoy it!"

"Yes, ma'am! We certainly will! But, we should get some lunch, after I pay for these things. And you and Tinya pay for yours."

"Well, I'm not sure if Pa's going to like this thing."

"I'm sure he'll love yours, as much as Mon'll love Shady's and my Jo will love mine! But I think they'll love removing them from us even more!"

"Land sakes! Tinya! We're in public! This kind of talk should be talked in private! Wait until we're back in your aero-car, or back at Legion HQ! But Tasmia's right, we should get some lunch!"

"Sure, Mrs. Kent. What do you feel like having today?"

"Umm, seafood would be nice."

"Great! We'll go to the Crab Nebula! That's the best seafood restaurant in Metropolis, right, Shady?"

"I don't know, Tinya. I've never been there."

"Then you and Mrs. Kent are in for a treat, Tasmia! Let's go!"

####################

"Welcome, Legionnaires. I'm Maga Romanosi, your hostess. Follow me to your table."

"Here you are, your server will be with you shortly."

"Well, we don't have anything like this back home in Smallville!"

"We don't have anything like it on Talok VIII either, ma'am. But I think I'll learn to like it!"

"Ohh, I'm sure you will, dear. Now, Tinya, any advice on what to order?"

"Well, their Lallorian Shrimpiods Scampi is delicious! The Winathian Salmoid steak is wonderful, also. Actually, everything on the menu is fabulous!"

"Well I think the scampi sounds good. What are you two having, Tasmia, Tinya?"

"Umm, Salmoid steak, a Terran fruit salad, and chocolate torte for dessert."

"HAHAHA! You have quite an appetite for Terran fruit and sweets, Shady! I'll have the Rimborite Zugafish filet sandwich and chips."

"Hello, I'm your sserver, Sstevezz Rossua. May I take your order?"

After taking their order he leaves.

"Land sakes! I-I just can't get over how many different kinds of folks there are! Reptile people, Crab people, and I see some in here I have no idea what they are!"

Ancestors, yes, ma'am. It's a big universe! And we still don't know all of it!"

Stevezz arrives with their meals. They chat while they eat. When done they agree to return to Legion HQ, earlier than planned. Tasmia knows she must talk with Lar before they leave for Daxam, though she's not looking forward to it. Arriving at Legion HQ they head for their respective quarters, each laden with shopping bags.

Meta:
Tuwan is the Daxamite word for Uncle.
Bu'sai is the Daxamite term for virgin.

####################

The Kent's quarters:

Martha enters to find her husband and Clark talking grimly: "He won't answer his door buzzer, Pa. I wish they'd get back! Tasmia's the only one who might get him to talk abo--"

"Clark, Jon, what's wrong!?!" They tell her. "Ohh my Lord! B-but Dr. Gym'll hasn't even filed the case report yet! Ohh I've got to tell Tasmia!"

####################

Having finished packing her purchases and other things for the trip, Tasmia goes to Mon-El's quarters:

*BZZZT* "Yes--" "Lar, open the door, please." The door opens: "Lar, I, umm, I have som--"

"How was your visit with Dr. Gym'll? He did repair all the damage, didn't he?"

"W-What!?! H-how did you--"

"Well, I found out about what I did to you when I decided to look up your erogenous zones. It seemed only fair, since you had obviously researched mine! Though I didn't learn about your trip to Dr. Gym'll until Dreamy turned on the vid-screen in the commissary. Aleza Sheri got all the facts, except for the identity of your careless lover! Though she has promised her faithful viewers she'll let them know exactly who he is! So when, if ever were you going to tell me?"

"Ancestors! Oohh, Lar, I-I that's what I came to tell you! I-I don't know how that gossip monger learned-- Dr. Gym'll promised not to file the case report until tomorrow." *SOB* "I was sure I'd be the one to--"

"To what, Tasmia? Tell me how I ripped you open last night? The ruined mattress told me that! Or tell me that I'm too large to mate with you? Well, the blood stains and the bloody water in the hot tub beat you to it! Of course the Talokite anatomical data file told me that even before I went back to your quarters!

"I'm surprised the Daxamite anatomical data file didn't tell you that! Or didn't you notice that Daxamite males are, umm, more endowed than Talokite males? Or were you hoping that I'd be smaller because I was born in the twentieth century? Hate to tell you, but at the risk of sounding like I'm bragging, I'm larger than the average thirtieth century born Daxamite in every way!

"Of course your being smaller than the average Talokite female didn't help did it!?!"

*SOB* "Lar, please believe me! I-I know I should have gone to Dr. Gym'll before we--we-- But I-I was afraid you'd learn of it! And then you'd never have come to my quarters last night! You only came because you didn't know what I planned to do!" *SOB* "I'm sorry about the whole Aleza mess. I don't know how, but I'll find a way to clear it up. I-I love you! I know I've hurt you, but please darling, if you give me the chance I'll make it up to you! If you'll give me the chance!"

"Tasmia, I love you too, but I'm not going to hurt you anymo--"

"No, Lar! It's all right now! Dr. Gym'll, umm, repaired everything, and, umm, ensured that it won't happen again ever! We--we can make love as often as we want! Just give us a chance." *SOB*

"I-I-- Gods, Tasmia, don't cry! I love you, honey! We'll get through this, someway, somehow."

Taking her in his arms, he hugs and reassures her that everything will be all right. Finally she stops crying, tilts her face up and pulls him down for a kiss.

"MMMMMMMMM! Umm, has Brainy installed the devices yet? Seems to me we cou--"

"No, Tasmia, he hasn't. He hasn't changed the master code yet, either, at least not that I know of. So we'd be running the risk of Ma walking in on us again!"

*Giggle* "True. Umm, I know your serum endows you with your powers, even on Daxam. But, umm, is there a variation of it that, umm, doesn't?"

*Chuckle* "Yes, there is, I use it when I go to Daxam for my annual physical. I take it you'd prefer I'd take that serum with me?"

"Ohh yes! I don't intend for Superboy to have all the fun!"

*Chuckle* "As you wish. I've, umm, made all the arrangements for his, umm, entertainment."

"Oh, Lar, is this the right thing to do? It seems, ahh, wrong to only let him have a few days of pleasure."

*Sigh* "I know, yet I-I can't refuse the Kents! And repeated trips to Daxam are not an option! I suppose we could replicate the devices and install them in his quarters. B-but that won't work either! He's not Dirk! He isn't the one night stand type."

"Unfortunately, he's not. But installing the devices in his quarters is a good idea! He'll never be as casual about sex as Dirk is, but he might meet a special lady. No harm in being prepared! So I'm all set for the trip, packed and ready to go. How about you, Lar?"

"Packed and ready to go! With any luck some new piece of gossip will cause Aleza to forget about digging into your callous lover's identity."

"Well, if not, I'll think of something, love."

"Yeah, but let's go find Ma, Pa, and Clark. If they're ready to leave, we can just take off. Though I could stow our things in the ship now."

He disappears with his bag, moments later he reappears: "That's done, I got your bags from your quarters. Now let's go find the others."

They meet Martha in the hall outside.

"Ohh, there you are, Tasmia. I, ahh, see you and Mon have, umm, had your talk."

He whispers in Shady's ear: "See? If we had been doing it, she'd have walked in on us again!"

Shady giggles and playfully swats his left arm: "Stop it!"

"Well, you two have obviously talked everything out."

"Ohh, yes, ma'am! We're going to just enjoy the trip. And hopefully, the whole story will have blown over and been forgotten by the time we get back. And if it hasn't we'll deal with it, together!"

"Wonderful, glad to hear it, Tasmia. Umm, Mon, have you, ahh, made the--"

"Yes, Ma, it's all arranged. Clark will have a very, umm, enjoyable four days! He won't, umm, want to return to Daxam by the end of the fifth day, but he'll have the, ahh, experience that you and Pa want him to."

"Why will he never want to return to Dax--"

"I've arranged for Clark to meet and, umm, bedplay with an almost twenty-one year old. Our first day there, she will simply show him the sights and flirt a little. She'll seduce him the next day, and, umm, bedplay with him as often as possible every day after that. After their last, ahh, mating on the fifth day, shortly before we leave, she'll, ahh, let it slip that I, umm, paid her to, umm, bedplay with him. That should ensure that he'll never want to return to Daxam."

"Y-you've hired a whor--"

"No, Ma, I haven't, but Clark will believe I have. And that's all that matters."

"B-but Mon, h-he'll be furious! I-it could cause a permanent strain between you two!"

"That can't be helped, Ma."

"Yes it can, Lar! There's no reason for you to take the whole blame for this! The Kents asked you to do it!"

*Sigh* "Tasmia, he'll calm down and things between us will get back to normal, eventually!"

"I don't know about that, Mon. Tasmia's right! Pa and I are the ones who started this! There's no reason for you to take the blame. We'll tell Clark--"

"NO! Then he'll be even more humiliated than he will be already! Just leave this to me!"

"All right, for now, but if he doesn't calm down quickly, well, Pa and I won't let you suffer for doing something we asked you to do!"

"Fair enough, Ma! Now let's go find them and decide if we'll take off for Daxam now or wait until five PM."

####################

The three find them in the rec-room playing holographic Scrabble:

"So, are you two finished packing? I've stowed my and Tasmia's luggage in the cruiser."

"Mon! Ahh, you and Shady worked things out?"

"Yes, Superboy, we did."

"Great, son! Glad to hear it! And, yes, Clark and I have packed, don't know if Martha has."

"Land sakes! I was in such a hurry to tell Tasmia about that Aleza creature's story, I plumb forgot!"

Brainy, Imra, and Dr. Gym'll enter the room.

"Ahh, Shadow Lass, Dr. Gym'll wishes to--"

"I'll tell her, Brainiac 5. I wished to assure you that, as per your instructions, I haven't filed the paperwork on your procedure this morning. The receptionist, unfortunately, did, however, get a glimpse of the file. That's how that damnable story came out! She has been severely reprimanded! But the damage is done."

"Actually, Dr. Gym'll, there is something you can do, if you will--"

"Anything within reason, Shadow Lass!"

"I want you to, ahh, tell Aleza the procedure was to, umm, prepare me to, ahh, mate and not to repair--"

"By Buddha! Of course! That will stop the story, but it is a li--"

"It's a, umm, bending of the truth, yes, but for a good cause! I don't want that gossipmonger prying into my private life! It's no one's business who I've chosen to bedplay with. And I won't have her hounding my man!"

"Very well, Legionnaire, I shall do as you ask."

"Land sakes, glad that whole mess should be forgotten by the time we get back! But I better get cracking if we're going, I still have to pack!"

"I'll help you, Ma."

"No, Clark dear, that's all right." She goes to pack for the trip, Dr. Gym'll leaves to return to the Medi-Center.

"So Superboy, Mon, Shady, Jo says you three and the Kents are off to Daxam for a few days."

"Right, Imra, five days to be exact. You want anything from Daxam?"

"No, Mon, thanks for asking though."

"Well, I'm going to see if Ma's finished packing and I'll stow hers, Pa's and my gear in the cruiser."

####################

Later, en route to Daxam:

The cruiser's on autopilot. Everyone's in the ships galley eating dinner. "So, Mon, what are some of the sights we'll be seeing on Daxam?"

"Well, Pa, we'll be in Halkon'daza, the capital city, which has the finest zoological botanical park on the planet. As well as the finest museums and art galleries, if you'd like. Or we can go to Rainbow Canyon, the Crystal Caves, or the Prism Mountains, to name a few places. In five Earth days we won't see everything, but we'll have fun trying!"

"Sounds great, Mon. But, umm, how are Ma, Pa, and Shady going to cope with Daxam's gravity? Talok VIII's gravity is greater than Earth's, but it's still nowhere near Daxam's!"

"All taken care of, Superboy, I replicated three environmental wristbands, set to Earth's gravity. They'll have to wear them at all times."

####################

Next morning, Halkon'daza Spaceport:

Leaving the cruiser secured, they've passed through space customs, and are met at the terminal entryway by Laz Gand.

"Everyone, this is Laz Gand, a relative of mine. Laz, this is Martha Kent, her husband Jonathan, son Clark, and Tasmia Malor."

"I'm honored to meet you all, my aero-car is this way."

Getting into the aero-car, they find a beautiful black haired, ice blue eyed young woman. "Ahh, Lar, Tasmia, Clark, Tanth and Tantha Kent, this is, umm, a friend of mine, Dannella Zavrel'kama. Dannee say hello to my kinsman Lar and his friends."

"Hello Dannee, pleased to meet you!"

"Hello, umm, Clark, correct? The pleasure is mine I assure you. Everyone, pleased to meet you all, welcome to Daxam."

"Thank you Dannee, I'm beginning to like it here already!"

"I'm sure you will enjoy your stay here, Clark. In fact I guaranteeit!"

####################

Later at Laz's homestead:

Everyone has unpacked, and they're all having lunch.

"Umm, this buzula fish is wonderful, similar to the Zofa fish I had at Mama Kanaluai's!"

"Glad you like it, Tasmia, I told you they were similar. So what do you all want to do this afternoon?"

"Umm, if you'd like, Clark, I would be glad to give you a tour of the city."

"Ahh, sure Dannee, if it's all right with you Ma, Pa, Mon, Shady?"

"Sure, Clark, go ahead you two, have fun."

"Thanks, Ma. See you later. You four have fun too!" Clark and Dannee leave.

"Well, Ma, Pa, Tasmia, what would you like to do?"

"Ahh, Mon, son, umm, is Dannee, umm--"

"Not today Pa, but yes she will, ahh, bedplay with Clark before we return to Earth. Probably several times over the course of the next four Terran days."

"Jumping Jehosephat! S-she's not a--"

"No, Pa! Her real name is Laurel Gand. She's my niece about fifty times removed of course. She's doing this for her own reasons"

"That's fine, Mon. Just hope Clark goes along with whatever she has planned."

"Well, as I told you yesterday, Ma, for today they'll just go sightseeing. Though she has told me she'll, umm, seduce him at least once tomorrow, probably more than once tomorrow. And as many times as she can every day for the following days we'll be here."

"Good grief! She's going to wear him out! But it's only for the duration of our stay, so I guess he'll, umm, recover all right."

"Ancestors!" *Giggle* "I certainly hope she does! And he does the same to her! Well, Lar, shall we go sightseeing also or...?"

"If you would rather relax here for the rest of the day, there's both a pool behind the house and a private lake on the holding. Or if you prefer, in the stables we have enough equinaz for three of you. Lar, Sheoalan is free grazing in the South pasture. He could use the exercise!"

"The swimming sounds fine, Laz, if these wrist thingys are waterproof? B-but what are equinaz? And who or rather what is Sheoalan?"

"The enviro-wristbands are totally waterproof, Pa. Equinaz are Daxam's version of horses. And Sheoalan is my equinaz, he's what we call a unisa'pa, that is a one rider equinaz. He'd more than likely at the least injure and possibly kill anyone else who was crazy enough to try to ride him. His being a fully functional breeder only makes him more dangerous. But he's too fine a specimen and too true a breeder to, umm, what's the word--ahh, yes! Geld."

"Well, I vote for the swimming! We don't have such animals on Talok VIII, though perhaps, if we have time this visit you can begin to teach me to ride, Lar?"

"Well, I haven't been horseback riding in nearly twenty years, so I'm with you Tasmia, dear! Though you and Mon can go riding if you want to, Jon."

"Son, looks like you and I are going equinaz riding! I'm out of practice, but if you have a nice easy goer, we should be just fine!"

"Sure, Pa, Sheoalan needs the exercise. We can swim after the ride if you'd like. Ma, Tasmia, would you like to come to the stables to get a look at the equinaz, before you swim?"

"Sure will, Mon! Then we can decide if we'll give riding them a try later this week."

"Sounds good to me, ma'am! I've seen holos of horses, big brutes, if the equinaz are even bigger, not sure I'll try riding them this trip."

####################

In the stables:

"Ohhhh my Lord! Unicorns!!!!! Real live unicorns! B-but their colored wrong! Th-they're red bodied with golden mane,and tail, and a bronze colored horn! They're beautiful!"

"Thank you, Tantha Kent. We of the House of Gand pride ourselves on our skill breeding the equinaz for this coloration! Few other houses are as skilled as we!"

"Ahh, here's Halkoni's stall! He's an, as you put it, Pa, easy goer! He's a gelding so you won't have any, umm, problems, wish I could say the same!"

"As long as you remain on our lands you should have no trouble, Lar. Sheoalan has already, ahh, seen to the females of our herd. None of our mares are in the breeding cycle, all are with foal, Sheoalan has seen to it."

"I know that Laz, he'd kill any other breeder you tried to introduce to the herd. That's why all the equinaz in here are gelded! He'd attack them if they weren't! I'm only taking a bridle for him anyway, just in case."

"Umm a wise precaution, Lar. Sheoalan would destroy the saddle, or injure himself or the female in the process of mating."

"I'll saddle Halkoni for Pa."

####################

Minutes later outside of the stable:

"Here he is, Pa. I'll double up with you until we reach the South pasture."

"That'll be fine, Mon. You gals enjoy your swim! See you in a while."

"See you, Lar, Mr. Kent. Enjoy your ride."

"Yes, enjoy your ride you two. C'mon Tasmia, Laz, the water's waiting."

"Lar! Make sure you bring this Sheoalan back so we can see him!"

"Sure will, Tasmia."

####################

A few hours later by the lake:

Having decided to swim in the lake, Tasmia and Martha are lying on the lakeshore, drying in the late afternoon sun. They feel the ground vibrate, and sit up to see Mon and Jonathan riding toward them.

"Land sakes! Look at the size of that animal Mon's riding!"

"Umm, yes, it's much larger than the one Mr. Kent's on, no wonder if they're racing, Mon's winning!"

Mon stops a few yards away, though Jonathan continues, stopping mere feet from where they sit on the ground. Tasmia stands and walks over toward Mon and his mount. When she gets within a few feet of them, Sheoalan begins to fidget.

"Stay there, Tasmia. Sheoalan's not found of strangers." Mon dismounts and murmurs to Sheoalan as he walks towards her, holding the bridle. "Easy boy, come on, I want you to meet some friends. Easy now, good boy!"

They stop inches in front of her. "Tasmia, hold your palm out to him, let him get your scent." She does so, crooning softly: "Hello, Sheoalan, I'm pleased to meet you. You are such a magnificent specimen, aren't you!?! I can see you are a fine match for Lar, and he for you, yes? Good boy, easy boy, no one's going to do anything to upset you."

Sheoalan breathes in her scent, and nudges her palm with his nose. "W-What does he want, Lar?" Reaching into his pants pocket, he hands her a stalk of what looks like celery, except it's lavender. "Here, give him this, it's zherrll, it's his favorite treat. Except for Terran sugar cubes, those are his ultimate favorite treat."

She does as told and Sheoalan takes the treat greedily. Nuzzling her chest he lowers his head, rubbing his ears on her palm. "Scratch behind his ears, Shady. He loves having his ears scratched."

"Umm, I think he likes me! He's a beautiful animal, Mon."

*Chuckle* "Yes, I think he does, though the fact he can, umm, smell my scent on you helps. He, ahh, believes we're lifemates."

"W-What!?! How can you know what he thinks? And how can he smell your scent on me? I bathed before we came down for breakfast and I've been swimming most of the afternoon! That should have, ahh, washed all traces of your, umm, scent and the rest off me!"

"Umm, it's hard to explain, but, ahh, he knows what I think and I know what he thinks, not telepathy exactly but pretty close. And equinaz have an extremely acute sense of smell."

"OK, let's go introduce him to the Kents. Mrs. Kent is fascinated with him, she's staring at him hard enough."

They walk over to the waiting couple.

"Lord, Mon, he's huge! How can you control him bareback?"

"He's very well trained, Ma. And, yes, he is larger than the average equinaz stallion. But let's head back to the stable, Halkoni and Sheoalan need a rub down and some feed. It's almost time for dinner anyway."

"Martha, you want to ride back with me? Ohh, Mon, what do their names mean? I forgot to ask you earlier."

"Halkoni means 'Halkon's child,' Halkon was the God of storms in ancient Daxamite mythology. Sheoalan means 'Hell's spawn or fire', he's named for both his coloring and his temperament with just about everyone else."

"Well, h-he seems to be gentle enough."

"Ahh, Ma, he was named before he and I bonded, believe me he earned the name! If anyone is stupid enough to try to ride him, you'll see what I mean. He still has the temperament that earned him the name, but it only shows if someone besides me tries to ride him. Do you want to ride back with me, Tasmia?"

"If Sheoalan doesn't mind the added burden, do you want me up behind you or in front of you?"

"In front, Tasmia. Pa, you remount Halkoni and I'll lift Ma up to you, you want her in front or behind?"

After he remounts: "In front will be fine, Mon, thanks for the help. Hmm, I wonder if Clark and Dannee have returned yet?"

As he lifts Martha up: "I doubt it, Pa. She'll keep him out as late as he'll let her, the better to become, umm, friendly quickly. Besides, Laz would have sent him out to join Ma and Tasmia if he had. If only to have him tell Ma he's back."

"Mon's right, Jon. No need to worry, I'm sure they're just out having a good time, is all."

"Right, Martha, are you two coming back with us or--" "Ahh, Tasmia and I will be along shortly, Pa."

"All right, son; you two have fun, whatever you're going to do."

"We will Ma, Pa, see you at dinner."

They watch the Kents ride toward the stable and the house beyond it.

"Soo, what do you have in mind, Lar?"

"A nice long ride, together. I like the skirt, but, umm, you might want to, ahh, take off your panties."

"A-all right, but why--"

"Trust me, Tasmia, we'll both be more comfortable if you do, it'll save wear and tear on the panties, too."

He turns to Sheoalan, murmuring in his ear, the equinaz goes down on his front knees: "C'mon, Tasmia, let's get going."

They mount and he raises back onto all four hooves. Turning in the opposite direction from the one the Kents just took, they ride at a leisurely pace. The rocking motion of Sheoalan's gait rubs them intimately together.

"Ancestors, his back is so broad, you were right to tell me to remove my panties, it's much more comfortable this way."

Nuzzling the back of her neck he murmurs in her right ear: "Mmm, yes, but that's not the main reason I told you to do it." He reaches down and caresses her thighs, just brushing the sensitive apex. She leans back, moaning with rising passion. His left hand, reaching under her hiked-up skirt, continues to caress her spread open feminine core, while his right glides up her belly to caress and massage first one breast then the other. She groans and rubs herself against his growing erection:" OOHH, stop Sheoalan, let's get down on the--"

"No need for that, trust me!"

So saying he does stop the equinaz, but instead of dismounting he turns her to face him. He opens the front of his pants, freeing his burgeoning erection. He lifts her and slowly, exquisitely lowers her onto it, impaling her with it. He then commands Sheoalan to continue, the rocking motion of his gait impales her further with each step.

"Ohh, Ancestors, this--this is delicious!"

"It gets better, trust me!"

He reaches to open her shirt and slip her bra down toward her waist. That done, he begins to suck her right dark blue nipple until it's erect and hard, then does the same to her left, switching back and forth between them.

She opens his shirt, reaching for his back under it she begins caressing up and down his spine. Using her tongue and teeth she caresses his nipples and chest. Both groan with their building passion. He urges her to continue and Sheoalan to a faster gait. This causes them to rub against each other harder and faster, their passion building until finally he feels her contracting around him; as she reaches orgasm he allows himself to as well. She screams as she feels wave after wave of his hot seed flooding into her. She collapses against his chest.

####################

Next morning at the breakfast table:

"Well, Clark, you and Dannee got home mighty late. You two had fun?"

"Yes, Ma, we went to a couple of museums, an art gallery, dinner, and a few muis/dance clubs. We had a great time! We're going on a picnic to Rainbow Canyon, later."

"That sounds like fun, dear. Ohh, here are Mon and Tasmia now. You both overslept? Didn't you sleep well?"

"Umm, yes, we, umm, slept, Ma."

"Oh-- OOHHHH, I see."

Shady blushes as she gets her breakfast: "So, Superboy, you had fun yesterday? You should swim in the lake, it's wonderful, though I've never seen lavender water before."

"Maybe later, are you four coming on the picnic with Dannee and me, later?"

"Umm, we're going to the zoo and to see the sights in the city today, Clark. Your Ma and I are looking forward to seeing more of Daxam's animal life. We saw some strange animals at the Intergalactic Zoo in Metropolis, but no Daxamite animals."

"All right, Pa, if that's what you've planned. Danee and I are going to the zoo tomorrow."

Dannee enters the room in time to hear part of the conversation.

"If you wish, Clark, we can go to the zoo with your parents and friends this morning, and go on our picnic afterward."

"If you really don't mind, Dannee, I should spend some time with my folks, and we can go on the picnic while they take in the sights."

####################

Later in Rainbow Canyon:

"WOW, no wonder it's named Rainbow Canyon. All these waterfalls cause constant rainbows! It's beautiful!"

"Indeed, we of Daxam are very proud of it. Here have some more buzu'la juice."

"Mmm, thanks, it's delicious. Umm, eeerrr, it's getting warm isn't it?"

"If you are warm, take your shirt off, Clark."

She helps him, leaning toward him, caressing his shoulders and chest. "Umm, you seem tense. Lie down and I'll give you a massage, that should help you relax."

"M-massage!?! B-but--"

"Relax, Clark, I am an expert masseuse. I have some massage oils in my bag, I'll get them while you strip. The massage works best if you're nude."

"N-Nude!?! B-bu--"

"Calm down, Clark, I promise you'll enjoy it!"

"I-I don't know, Dannee, this--"

*Sigh* "Clark, just trust me, please!?!"

"A-all right Dannee, I-I trust you."

While she gets the oil, he strips and begins to lie down. Then he sees that she is also removing her clothes.

"D-Dannee!?! Wh-What are you--"

"Now relax, Clark, I don't want to get my clothes oily, that's all. Lie down."

"A-all right, Dannee, I guess."

She straddles his waist, drizzling oil on his back and pouring more in her cupped right hand. She begins kneading the tense muscles in his neck and shoulders, when they relax, she starts on his back. Working her way down to his waist, she gets off and encourages him to part his legs. She then proceeds to massage his buttocks, working her way down his right thigh, knee, and calf, to his foot. *Groan* "That feels good, Dannee."

"Glad you like it, Clark, but I promise you'll feel even better soon!" Finishing with the right, she begins massaging his left foot, slowly working her way up back to his buttocks. He groans with feelings he doesn't entirely understand.

"Turn over, Clark and--"

"NO! I-I can't. I-I mean--"

"Just do it, Clark."

"B-but I--"

"Do it, Clark!"

Blushing furiously he complies, revealing his highly aroused state.

"Ohh, I see, well, we can't leave you in this state!" She begins to massage his chest, down his pecs to his abs, downward past his burgeoning erection. Down his inner thighs, shins and feet. Finally she massages his scrotum, he groans with pleasure as his erection jerks in reaction.

"Umm, yes, let us enjoy ourselves."

She lies next to him caressing his nipples, murmuring encouragement, she parts her legs.

"Come join with me, Clark. You want me as much as I want you!"

"I-I don't kno--"

"Just do what feels good to you, Clark."

He leans over her, kissing her deeply as he caresses her breasts. His caresses send shivers of sensation from her sensitized breasts down to her feminine core. He stares, awed by her nipples' reaction to his caress. She reaches up, pulling his head down, she encourages him to kiss and suck her hard rosy nipples. When he does, she arches her back, parting her legs more, she rubs her groin against his erection, she reaches for him, guiding him to her wet portal she encourages him to enter. As he does so, she moans with pleasure. He begins to slowly thrust in and out of her. As their passion builds he thrusts harder and faster, her hips rising to meet his downward thrust. As the pleasure builds higher and higher, they both moan with the building ecstasy. Finally she contracts around him and screams as she feels his hot seed spewing from his spasming manhood. Again and again he spews his seed as they both cry out in their mutual orgasms.

####################

Rainbow Canyon, Daxam:

The two lie, spent, each amazed at the intensity of their pleasure. "Ummm, is it always like that, Dannee?"

"It varies, both each time, and with each couple."

"Y-you mean that if we do it again, that it won't be as, umm, intense?"

She leans over, kissing him as she reaches down to fondle his limp manhood, which responds to her ministrations. Deepening the kiss she encircles his turgid member, stroking up and down its burgeoning length. He groans with rising passion and pleasure.

"Umm, shall we find out, Clark? Or do you want me to stop?"

"No! Don't stop...it, ahh, it feels soo..."

"I won't stop, in fact..." She kisses his jaw, continuing down his neck along his pulse points, then continuing down his chest and abdomen all the way to his groin.

"Dannee! What are you..?"

"Just enjoy it, Clark, lie down, and enjoy." She kisses, licks, and nibbles up down and around the length of his erection, as he moans with pleasure. With her right hand she massages his scrotum. Feeling his sack tighten and his shaft jerk, she rises herself over him.

Guiding his shaft to her portal, she slowly impales herself on him. Groaning, his hips rise to meet her, driving himself further into her. Slowly she rises, moaning with the sensations building, centered in her sheath.

Up and down, faster and harder she pumps herself on his shaft. He reaches up, massaging her breasts, torso, and buttocks. She reaches down, massaging his shoulders and chest. The sexual tension and pleasure rises higher with each stroke. Finally both reach the end of their endurance; backs arching, they scream their ecstasy as they find fulfillment together. Spent, she lies nestled on his chest, still intimately joined.

####################

Meanwhile in Halkon'daza, the others have visited two museums and are now eating lunch:

"Well, this has been fun! I hope Clark and Dannella are having fun."

"Ahh, I'm sure they are, Ma! I just hope Clark took some sunscreen. It's really easy to get a sunburn in Rainbow Canyon."

"Sunburn? B-but he's fully cloth...ohh, my Lord! Y-you think they're..."

"Well, Rainbow Canyon is one of the most romantic areas on Daxam! And I noticed a jug of buzu'la juice in the picnic basket."

"What does this buzu'la juice have to do with it?"

"Ahh, Pa, it's not alcoholic or anything but it, umm, releases inhibitions, especially sexual ones."

"Y-you mean it's an aphrodisiac!?!"

"Not in the strictest sense of the word, sir. It doesn't, ahh, induce sexual arousal, but it will weaken his ability to resist, umm, mating with her."

"Land sakes! Enough of such talk! I-I know it's the reason we came, b-but that doesn't mean I want to, well, to talk about it!"

"Agreed, ma'am! Superboy would have a fit if he knew we were talking about this! Let's just hope they're, umm, enjoying themselves, whatever they're doing!"

*Chuckle* "Right you are, Tas, my love!"

####################

Later back at the house:

The others are relaxing by the pool before dinner, when Clark and Dannee join them.

"So you two enjoyed yourselves? Clark, you look flushed, son; are you feeling well?"

"I-I'm fine, Ma. I, eerr, got a little sunburned, that's all."

"Ahh, there's some healing salve in the house. C'mon, Clark, I'll show you were it is. Will you need any help to apply it?"

"I'll help Clark apply the salve, Lar. You stay here, I know were it is."

"Ahh, Mon, she is only going to apply the salve, isn't she? He'll need time for the sunburn to heal!"

"Umm, actually, Ma, the salve heals within a matter of seconds, so if he's willing they may, umm..."

"Oh Mercy! Y-you mean they'll here while we're here!?!"

"Umm, yes, Ma, in his room. We won't hear a thing! But we probably should pretend we don't know what they did, if they do it."

"Ahh, just how do you reckon we'll know they've done anything?"

"Well, Pa, if they haven't come back in the next few minutes, I'd say it's a real good bet they're doing more than just applying the salve!"

*Giggle* "You've got that right, Lar! It would only take ten or fifteen minutes tops! If all they do is apply the salve, that is."

"Oh my Lord! Let's change the subject! So what's the plan for tomorrow, Mon?"

*Chuckle* "All right, Ma, if you'd like we can go to Rainbow Canyon, it's really something to see! That or we could go to the Crystal Caves."

"Hmm, Rainbow Canyon, unless Clark and Dannee are planning a trip to the caves tomorrow."

*Chuckle* "I hope they aren't, Ma! The caves are beautiful, but a little chilly! Not conductive to, umm, you know."

"Yes, we know, Mon! Now let's drop the subject!"

"Yes, Ma. Hey Tas, you feel like a swim in the lake before dinner?"

"Umm, sure, Lar, let's go. Coming ma'am, sir, Laz?"

"Ahh, no, thank you, dear, I think I'll wait here and enjoy the quiet."

"I'll stay here with you, Martha, I'm real interested in how much longer Clark and Dannee will be."

"I shall remain here, also."

"Sure Ma, Pa, Laz, see you later"

####################

Meanwhile in Clark's room:

After having Clark strip so she can apply the salve, Dannee spreads it, massaging it into his skin. "Umm, that feels much better, Dannee. I never knew a sunburn could be so painful!"

*Giggle* "Yes, being invulnerable from infancy would spare you the normal aches and pains that are a part of life. Now turn over, I'll do your chest for you."

"Umm, that's all right, Dannee, I-I'll do it myself, y-you go join the others."

"Clark, why don't you...ahh I see! Well, we can't have that now can we!?!"

"DANNEE! My parents are downstairs!"

"Well, we can lock the door, though I'm sure they'll stay out by the pool, at least long enough for your, umm, condition to be relieved. Now turn over, I'm sure it's extremely uncomfortable for you to be laying face down in your aroused state! And it's a simple matter to correct. Besides aren't you at least a little curious what bedplay is like in a bed?"

"Ahh, I-I-well, yes, b-but my paren..."

"You turn over and apply the salve to your chest, while I lock the door."

"If you say so, Dannee."

Both finished, she joins him in the bed, kissing him deeply. He returns the kiss along her jaw, downward following her lead their tongues duel, mimicking what will come. Then he continues kissing and nipping downward, stopping at her breasts. She moans her pleasure as he laves each breast in turn, the nipples raised and hard as pebbles. Reaching down to stroke his burgeoning erection, she guides him to her ready portal. He slowly glides into her, each enjoying the sensations centered at their joined flesh. As he thrusts harder and faster, she moans her pleasure, murmuring encouragement. Stroking his back and buttocks, she thrusts her pelvis up to meet his thrust. Their passion and pleasure builds with each thrust, the tension mounting. Finally she screams with her orgasm, her sheath's contractions trigger his, and he screams as with each contraction of her sheath his hot seed spews into her.

####################

Meanwhile by the pool:

"Well, Martha, I reckon Mon had the right of it. It's been over thirty minutes so..."

"Yes, Jon, if they were only applying that salve they'd be here with us by now. Laz, it's been a wonderful visit. Thank you for having us."

"It's been my pleasure, b-but I don't own this homestead, Lar does! I take care of it for him and the livestock, of course."

"Mon-El owns this place? Just how large is it? When we went riding, we rode for miles, yet he said we were on Gand lands the entire time."

"Well, yes, Lar owns the house and the original homestead. Ahh, I am not familiar with the Earth's measuring system for land area, but I'll try to use it, you will have to ask Lar for a truly accurate figure. The original homestead encompasses, ahh, one hundred acres. For the livestock, Lar leaseholds over two thousand acres from Daxam Gov. The entire family receives a share in the profits from the leasehold, but Lar alone owns the house, everything in it, the original homestead, and the livestock. Lar gives the rest of the family a share in the profits, though I've told him he is too generous, since he also pays their living expenses for them. Besides the equinox herd, Lar has acquired a herd of ukoup'as. I believe they are similar to your sheep on Earth. Their hair is sheared each year and is woven into a fine fabric that is highly sought after."

"Land sakes! It sounds as though Mon could have a fine life, here on Daxam!"

"Yes, Tantha Kent, he could indeed, but he chose not to. I'm glad he has found great happiness with Tasmia, but I wish he had found it with a Daxamite female instead."

"Tarnation, why do you say that, Laz? I didn't reckon you for a bigot!"

"NO! I'm not such a one, Tanth Kent. B-but it would be dangerous for her to bear Lar a child. I-I am not putting this well, am I?"

"No, you certainly are not, Laz. Just why are you so concerned that Mon and Tasmia may not have children someday, Laz?"

"Because, Tantha Kent, I, ahh, do not want Koraz to inherit this homestead. Koraz is Lar's Kuza'Na, his heir apparent."

"Y-you make Mon sound like he's a nobleman, does he have a title?"

"No, ma'am, not a nobleman, he is the hereditary head of our family. He inherited the householding when the last of his elder brother Kol's line died shortly after he was released from the Phantom Zone. If he'd been released a few months later Koraz would have become Molioro of our House. Koraz is the eldest descendant of Lar's younger brother Del. Laurel and I are also of Del's line. She is my eldest brother's only child. Koraz is our distant cousin, descended from Del's eldest son; we're descended from the youngest son. Though we are family, I feel Koraz would be a poor Molioro, and even worse for the householding."

"Umm, that's too bad, Laz. But maybe Koraz will be a better, ahh, Molioro than you think, or Mon and Tasmia may find a safe way to have children together."

"I can only hope you are right, ma'am. For the welfare of my house, and the future of it, I certainly hope so."

"Will we meet Koraz while we're here, Laz?"

"Hopefully not, sir, he would not, ahh, be helpful in this situation. He'd definitely make some less than kind remarks, both about Lar and Tasmia, and more than likely reveal Laurel as Lar's and my kinswoman. I don't think Clark would react well to that, do you?"

"Lord, no, he wouldn't react well at all! If he's half as unpleasant as you've indicated, best he not meet any of us!"

"From your mouth to Rao's ears, Sir, may Rao grant this!"

####################

Earlier at the lake:

Arriving they quickly dive into the water. After their swim they lie on the lake shore, letting the sun dry them. "Um, that was fun. I'm glad we came Lar; do you think Superboy is, ahh, enjoying himself as much as we are?"

"I'm sure he is, Tasmia. If he isn't it's not from lack of trying!"

"Hmm, speaking of enjoying ourselves--" She leans over to kiss him deeply, then whisper in his ear: "Soo you feel up to having some fun?"

"Umm, always, Tas m'love, but I think we should, eerr, go somewhere else to have it. One or all of the others could show up here any nano."

*Giggle* "Yes, being walked in on once was enough! Do you have someplace in particular in mind?"

In answer he stands up, offering her his hand:

"Sure, Tas. The equinox stables are deserted at this hour, unless you'd rather go back to the house?"

"Um, the stables may offer more privacy."

"Let's go, then, before they decide to come looking for us."

####################

Later, after dinner, everyone's relaxing in the family room:

"So, Clark, what plans do you and Dannee have for tomorrow?"

"Umm, we hadn't made any yet, Ma, what did you have in mind?"

"We plan to go to the Crystal Caves, if you two want, the six of us can go together."

"That sounds fine, Ma."

"Tasmia, do you want to watch the Inner World Data Bank Show? It starts in a few seconds."

"Sure, Dannee, might as well see what's Aleza's telling the universe today."

Aleza appears on the vid-screen: "As promised, I've discovered the identity of Shadow Lass' lover! He's her fellow legionnaire, Mon-El! And I've learned something really interesting! Watch this vid-recording made at last night's big bash for the U.P. United Charities Fund!"

The scene changes to a gala party; Aleza is shown circulating among the many guests, finally stopping to talk to a familiar, though obviously not quite sober brown haired young man:

"Yes, Aleza, umm, 'course Shady got hurt, unless Colossal Boy grows over eight feet tall M-mon's got the largest gen--"

"Ahh, that's all right, Star Boy, we get the idea--"

"Umm, yeah, though Ultra Boy and Superboy's aren't that much smaller than Mon's are. Though it wasn't Mon-El's fault, just the difference in their species reproductive systems. She knew the risks, but that's all over with. They're off on vacation, having lots of fun, lucky them!"

"Umm, yes,very interesting, thank you, Legionnaire." The taped segment ends.

"I told you dear viewers, I'd get to the truth of the matter! You can trust me to always get the dirt! And the bonus of learning such titillating info about the Legion's big three! We now know that they are not just the three mightiest members, but the three best endowed! Now in other new..." Dannee turns off the vid-screen as the rest react to what was said.

"Popping planets! Tas, please tell me your mother doesn't watch this show!!!"

"Umm, sorry, Lar, I can't tell you that; Mother never misses this show."

"BLAST! She's going to hate my guts before she even meets me!"

"Jumping Jehosephat! Th-that Aleza creature just announced to the whole blamed universe that you boys have--"

"Land sakes, Jon, don't say it again! OHHH, just wait until I get my hands on that Star Boy!!! I'll tan his hide when we get back to Earth!! The size of my boys' private parts is a private matter!!!"

"Actually, ma'am, I think that Jo and Tinya will beat us all to dishing out some punishment to him."

"Shady's right, Ma, Jo will have dealt with Star Boy by the time we leave, right, Mon?"

"Yes, more than likely, Clark, but I still plan to have a few words with him!!!"

*****

To be continued.....

Meta:

Buzu'la juice: Daxamite fermented nonalcoholic drink that eases inhibitions.
Tanth & Tantha: Daxamite term for Mr. And Mrs.
Molioro: Daxamite term for leader.

****

To be continued....