All in all, the entire thing was a huge mess.

And to think, they still had to set up the live audience's seating!

Not to mention the wardrobe problems. You'd think someone would know *not* to buy that horrible shade of fuchsia!

And in the middle of the stage, standing at the center of the chaos, standing almost completely still, was the host, still in a state of shock that this was actually going to happen. She'd dreamed of this since she'd learned of them and their infamous war against each other. It had started out small, but it had grown world-wide and had everyone curious. Now, for the first time in almost a decade, they'd called a truce long enough to do this show.

And now, the show was falling to pieces.

Grumbling to herself, Laveta Lorane walked off the stage to get back to work; she had questions to prepare.

****

Two hours later and the studio was packed. So much so that there were people in the back who were standing. Reporters, curious bystanders, women who couldn't get enough of either of the men- people of different colors, of different walks of life, all here to see her show.

Laveta wasn't so thrilled, though. So many people meant it would be hot and the only good thing that would come out of that was that it would mask her nervous sweating. You'd never know by looking at or watching the boisterous woman who was better known for her hosting various game shows that she had a horrible stage fright. More over, she was meeting, quite possibly, the two most powerful men on the planet who just happened to enjoy taking pot shots at each other.

"You're on in five, Laveta!" her director called, causing a small scramble to make a few last touch ups to her make up and hair. After handing her a mike that would attach to the lapel of the suit she was wearing and giving her two thumbs up, she was pushed by multiple people towards the stage area.

//Deep breath, 'Veta. Just take a deep breath and this'll be over with soon.//

The red light above the door she was standing in front of turned green and, pasting a smile on her face, the dark skinned woman walked out onto the stage, raising her hand to wave at the cheering audience. Standing in the center of the stage, cards hidden up her sleeve and her hands clasped in front of her, she waited for silence.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. It is my distinct pleasure, on the behalf of the producers and directors of this show, to be the first to stand here on this stage and welcome you." A few cheers went up, clapping and whistling. Once it had died down again, she continued, "Thank you. Please give a warm round of applause to the music guy, Music Joe." She motioned to the guy set up on a special platform with stairs leading up to it. The platform had a low wall going around three sides and was more than big enough to hold all the DJ equipment and chair that the man called 'Music Joe' needed.

While the camera was going over the audience and watching Music Joe, she made her way quickly and quietly over to the single chair set up in the little semi-circle, sitting quickly.

Camera back on her, she smiled forcefully, trying desperately to ignore all the people watching her. "Today we have two special guests that have taken time out of their busy schedules to meet with us. It is my pleasure, and distinct honor to introduce to you two of the most powerful men on Earth, Superman and Lex Luthor."

Startled cheers at both names and curious clapping as she stood again, this time to look towards the side of the stage where she knew the two men would be coming out of a door leading back stage. On cue, the two came out, walking as far apart as the stage would allow.

//Deep breath, 'Veta; all eyes are on you, now.//

****

The questions started simple- Who are you? and, What's your home town? or How long have you lived in Metropolis? Things got a little complicated when the dual questions started- How long have you two been enemies? and How did you become enemies in the first place?. Both were scowling and refusing to look at each other and no matter what the talk show host tried, they seemed to clam up.

Laveta finally snapped when both refused to answer questions about their future plans. A simple question; all they had to do was answer! As usual, when Laveta was angry, her mouth ran away before her mind had any chance to follow.

"Alright, boys, since you seem to like each other so much, how long have you been in love with each other?" It was supposed to be a sarcastic remark.  It was supposed to be a joke, a barb, to get at least *one* of them to talk. But the silence that permeated the entire studio said other wise.

//Damn it, 'Veta; look what you've gone and done!//

Both men were staring at her like she'd grown another head. Like she needed a padded room at Belle Reve. But their eyes... so *scared*...

She felt her jaw unhinge just a little as she went on with that particular line of questions, excitement causing her heart rate to pick up just a little and her palms to sweat.

"*Are* you in love with each other? Is that why you hate each other so much?" Scooting forward to the edge of her chair, she belatedly realized she'd suddenly gotten over her fear of crowds. She pushed it out of her mind before her phobia could re-creep up on her.

She watched the emotions play over both men's faces, avidly noting fear and shock and confusion. Fear of the unknown, shock that she'd unknowingly uncovered something that had obviously been plaguing them both for some time, and confusion as to how to answer the question without revealing their true feelings.

Finally, after a long silence, Lex Luthor turned to Superman, a frown on his face and resolve in his eyes.

"We need to talk." And just like that, they got up and left. Without so much as a thank you or a goodbye.

But Laveta Lorane would always remember the next day when the world was told of the end of the war between Superman and Lex Luthor. She would always remember the men who sat across from her, at first angry and resentful, then scared and confused, and finally resolved to talk it over. She would tell her children and her children's children of the beautiful wedding she attended a year later and the little ones would remember the beautiful bouquet of red, blue and purple flowers that were on her grave when she died.

End