It never stopped to surprise him how much pain one human could bring him. Not Luthor, or any of his enemies, but the woman he fell head over hills in one day. Every time he saw her with someone he tried to shut it out and tell himself that this too shall pass. And every time it had until then. She had moved in with Jonathan Carroll. He hadn't known pain like that before. Still, as he lay on the bed trying to get a few hours of sleep he couldn't help to remember the first time they met as Clark Kent and Superman. He hadn't even graduated, and he already had a place in the Daily Planet. He was a new graduate and Perry had snatched him before anyone else could.
The first time he walked into the building it was a dream come true to him. He was going to write news; important, life changing news. When he arrived for his first day, he had been waiting outside Perry's office. She didn't even glance at him as she strolled in and to be sincere he hadn't paid her much attention either. He had thought her attractive, but time taught him she was much more than that.
"But I am on to something chief; I don't have time to babysit the new guy. No offence Mark," Lois had said barely giving him a glance.
"Clark," he corrected.
"That is exactly the reason Lois. We are close to getting a visit from Luthor's lawyer thanks to you," Perry said slamming his hand on the desk. Clark had almost jumped, but Lois stood her ground firmly, "and don't call me chief."
"It means I am right, and he is up something," Lois said.
Perry sighed and then gave Clark a tired look. Clark could read it easily. It wasn't so much about Lois showing him around, but him making sure she didn't get into trouble.
"You show Kent around the office, and then you can go. But you make sure to take him with you," Perry said aware he would not be able to stop her but hoped a smart young man like Clark could keep her out of trouble.
Lois started to protest but with a raised brow from the editor they knew there would be no further compromises.
"C'mon Kent," she all but stomped out of the office.
"Good luck," Perry whispered more to himself than to Clark, but he heard him just the same.
He had not been a stranger to who Lois Lane was. She had been making quite amazing headlines that past year. Usually, it involved taking Lex Luthor down a peg or two. After showing him where his desk was she showed him the break room and other parts of the floor in record time.
"Now let's get going. My gut tells me that story writes itself today," she almost dragged him out.
He offered to drive them to Lex Corp. If the woman drove as she showed him around the Daily Planet, he wasn't sure having her behind the wheel was such a good idea.
"So, where are you from Lark? You don't strike me as someone from around here," she asked.
Lark? Really? Was she testing his patience? Well, not that he was upset, but at least he wouldn't let her win.
"It's Clark, and I am from Smallville, Kansas," he said keeping his eyes on the road.
"Never heard of it," she declared.
"Is a small town like the name implies. Farmers mostly," he said wondering what she would make out of that. He wasn't stranger to what city folk thought of him. He was too nice, or too polite. To him, they were too aggressive but that was neither here or there. This was his home now.
"Smallville huh? That fits you," he didn't need his super-hearing to hear the smirk on her words.
"I will bite, what you mean by that?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing Smallville," she said with a smirk.
Great, he thought still he smiled as the Lex Corp building came into sight. He parked a few blocks away as Lois asked and watched astounded as she took out of her bag a blond wig. This woman was like no other he had ever met. The moment they got out of his car she took hold of his arm as if they were a couple.
"We are going to join the tour group and then I am going to sneak into the ninth floor. My informants tell me all the shady stuff happens there. I need you to remain as my look out," She said as they left the parking garage and walked down the street towards the tall building.
"That sounds a tad too risky," he said to her trying not to think too much of where she had placed his upper arm as she held to it. To anyone around them, they seemed like a couple.
"Get used to it Smallville, the news don't come looking for us, you know?" she said as she placed a pair of sunglasses on.
"Right," he wanted to sigh but stopped short. She was right. His grad paper had him sneaking in the lowest and most dangerous neighbors in town. He had to use a disguise too just to keep muggers from targeting him. Not that they could hurt him, but he preferred to stay under the radar.
Ten minutes later they were part of the tour of Lex Corp. He tuned the guide out and listened for anything suspicious. He could hear many frantic hearts above them. It seemed Lex Corp was a rather stressing place to work.
"Now," she whispered as they left the back of the group and snuck into the service stairs. They rushed to the ninth floor and entered the level as silent as mice. With his x-ray vision, he was fast to tell Lois was right. Something was going on today.
"This way," Lois said leading them to an observation room. There was a one sided window where they spotted Luthor's latest project. Lois didn't lose a moment and took her phone out and started recording the whole test.
"That has to be illegal," Lois said as they watched a tank like armor walk around an expansive room shooting bullets and missiles from its arms.
"Not necessarily, Luthor might be keeping quiet if it is for a contract with the military," Clark said.
"Believe me, if I hadn't thought of that we wouldn't be here. I checked, and there are no agreements at this time with Lex Corp," Lois said as she flinched when the war machine started shooting an endless stream of bullets towards a group of mannequins.
"You have access to military intel?" Clark asked skeptically but was starting to believe Lois might be just the kind of person to have that type of sources.
"Long story short; yes and from a very good source," she said smugly.
They continued to watch the test until none of the obstacles remained. It was clear to them that the machine was built for war.
"Well, what do you think Queen?" they heard Lex Luthor as he entered the room. A screen was lowered revealing the face of a beautiful dark haired woman.
"Who is that?" Lois asked for she knew her from somewhere.
"The queen of Bialya," Clark said with a frown. The woman was better known as Queen Bee; her real name remained unknown. It was still a mystery how the woman single handedly took over the nation of Bailya and then established a dictatorship. Though there was no safe access to the nation, it was well known that she ruled with an iron fist. The past few years there had been suspicions that she was building a military power to be reckoned with. Right there they had proof of it.
"Oh shit," Lois said as she stopped recording.
"We better get out of here," Clark said when he heard guards get close to their location.
"No way Smallville. There has to be more around here we can use," she said looking at the machine with distaste.
"That video will be enough," he said as they left the observation room.
"It won't, believe me. Luthor will find a way to twist the truth and make it look like something else. I am not letting him get away with it again. If you want to leave, go right ahead. I am not stopping you," she said clearly upset. He imagined the man gotten away too many times.
"Watch it!" they heard someone shout before wall ahead of Lois exploded and the armor came crashing towards them.
"Lois!" he pulled her to another hall before she was smashed by the metallic beast.
"Lane!" Luthor shouted when he spotted them. He looked furious for a moment before remembering his other predicament, "Stewarts stop right now and leave the armor!"
"No! It's my armor! You can't take it from me!" the man piloting the machine shouted.
"You buffoon!" Luthor said taking out something that looked like a control remote, "I will teach you to contradict me." But when he pressed the button nothing happened.
"You thought I wouldn't notice any additions to my baby? I took care of it a while ago," the man said before pointing its arm at them ready to turn them into cadavers.
"Run!" Clark shouted before the other two snapped and started doing just that. He made sure to stay behind them and deflect any bullet that could harm them. He really hoped this man was really so out of his mind not to realize what he was doing.
"Turn right! There is a bunker that way!" Luthor had shouted before he and Lois turned to that direction. Clark took the left.
"Clark!" Lois shouted when she saw that happen. Her eyes widened in horror as the crazed man shoot in that direction before continuing after them.
"You can run, but you can't hide!" shouted the man as they neared the bunker. Before they could make it to its safety, the man shot a missile toward the armored door. The explosion had shattered the panoramic sized windows to their right before they stumbled to the ground shaken and fearful for their lives. Lois tried to stand as full survival mode kicked in. She had to get out of there and check on Clark. She couldn't have had the guy killed after only a few hours of meeting him.
"Look out!" Luthor shouted as another missile was launched but this time towards their shaken forms. They managed to jump in opposite directions, but this wasn't good for Lois for she ended up stumbling by the window and then falling.
That was how she first met Superman. She thought she was dead until she looked up and saw those amazing blue eyes. The same way he had been entranced by hers. It was as if they had known each other all their lives and were finally meeting after a long time.
He sat on bed awakening from the memory. It was early, but he couldn't go back to sleep. He went flying around the city. It was early, too early for most but to him the time was perfect. Watching dawn break through from above the sky scrapers was perfect though a tad lonely. Usually nothing happened around that time. Still, he went around the barely awakening streets flying lower than normal since there weren't many people around. It wouldn't do for him to distract some driver and cause an accident. That morning was slightly interesting as he caught a man falling from a window.
"Don't take me back!" the man said in a panic, "her husband will kill me."
He could only sigh before placing the man on the ground and then deciding to return home. When he entered through the window Conner was already up and eating breakfast as he read The Death & Life of American Journalism. He reminded himself to read it at some point. The tittle alone spoke volumes to him. Conner gave him a short hello before continuing with his book. He sat on the other end of the table with a warm cup of coffee.
The young hero spoke very little that morning. That was the usual time when he said he didn't see much point on morning patrols. However after the first week he said it more out of habit than anything. Like many, Conner found Clark was a creature of routine. He had to be with so many surprises thrown into his life. He had to have control of something. He got a second cup and realized Conner was no longer eating but pushing his food on his plate.
"I sent you my article," Conner said still looking at his book, but it was easy to tell that the teen wasn't reading it.
"Great, I will read it later," he said trying to not make a big deal out of it. He had lost count of the times Conner had rewritten the darn thing.
"Tomorrow," Conner said looking at him with wide eyes. He was clearly worried.
"Alright, tomorrow," he said well aware that Conner would be leaving the next day.
After Conner left for his first class Clark went to his computer to get some work done before he had to go to the League's meeting. He had quite a few projects he wanted to complete, but there was one at top of all the rest; the recent disappearance of homeless women. Metropolis was a bright city, but it also had its dark sides. They had no families and very few friends; when they disappeared very few were reported. A few nights ago, after a late night patrol one of those women shouted at him from the top of a roof. She had looked shaken but spoke to him of what was happening nonetheless. After that, it didn't take him long to find others that corroborated her story.
It also worried him because even though he had been staying later than usual he had yet to catch any of the culprits, and the women kept disappearing without even one shout for help. So, as to raise awareness he wanted to write a story that would get people to do something. He wrote of the lack of shelters for women. Many of them didn't feel comfortable staying at the mixed shelters, and he didn't blame them. They were victims of violence, abuse, and rape. All of these even within the overcrowded walls of the shelters where the number of volunteers was few.
So, they preferred to take their chances in the streets where they were now disappearing. It just wasn't right.
After finishing the article and another cup of coffee he sent it to Cat. It was half an hour later after taking a shower that he got a message from her. She wanted a follow up on it within the next few days with witness statements and if possible pictures. He agreed before changing to his uniform and leaving for the meeting with the League.
Though she was not the most conventional of editors, he still found her dedication admirable. He also liked the free range. The fact that he had little to no editing on his article had allowed him to find new edges to his writing.
"We are in a new age Clark, and is not just about get with the times but shaping them too," Cat had told him the first time they published one of his articles as it was. "We got what it takes to shape the future of the news, don't you think?"
It was still morning when he got to the Watch Tower. He had expected the usual stuff: a charity even here and there, missions which required more thought out plans, share of intel, reports on the young members of the Team and how they were progressing, and if there was one among them ready to join their table. But as of the past few weeks a new topic had been added. What would be done about Conner, Bart, Tim, and Jaime?
The League members didn't always agree with everything, but never to the point that a topic would be brought to their meetings every single week for a months.
"Superman, a word if I may," he stopped and turned to look at the leader of the Team; Kaldur.
"Of course," besides more than half of the League was still missing from the meeting room.
They walked to one of the halls. He was starting to get a little worried. Though he knew Kaldur was a smart and sympathetic leader he was also strict. He didn't like what Bart and the other were trying to do at all.
"The Super-Cycle is misbehaving. We believe she is because of Conner's long absence. We need him to visit her as she is an important member of the team," Kaldur went straight to the point.
"I will tell him," he said wondering not for the first time how smart was that machine. He had thought at first odd when Conner referred to the machine as her, but the more he learned about its origin and behavior he started getting used to it.
"Also," and he noted Kaldur's eyes narrowed and all air of friendliness was gone, "tell him to make the others stop hacking the Zeta-Beam system. It stopped being funny a while ago."
"They are doing what?" the League usually tried to give as much freedom to the Team as possible, but he was pretty sure this was something they should have reported to them a while ago.
"It's still funny," Nightwing said walking towards them with a smirk, "but very sloppy work if you ask me."
"Is like they want us to know is them," Kaldur said with a glare at his friend, "completely disrespectful."
"That does sound like something Tim would do," the other young adult said.
"Or you," muttered Kaldur.
"Ahem," Superman had to remind the two young adults he was still there. They gave him sheepish looks before excusing themselves. As they left, he listened to them a short while longer trying to think of a way of how to stop Tim from continuing to hack their system. Kaldur it seemed blamed Richard for teaching the other Batman prodigy more advanced ways to hack and using their system as a test in the past.
He decided as he sat on his chair at the meeting that he would have to find the right time to talk to Conner about that. He had fought so many difficult foes; so many mad men. But, he still found the challenge of timing the most difficult. He wasn't sure if it had been a good idea to reveal Conner's existence to the world almost a week ago. Heck, he wasn't even sure if the kid needed him at all. Besides his temper issues years ago, which were sort of his fault, he was a responsible young man. That's why he didn't question his judgment when he joined Kid Flash and their friends in their crazy time travelling quest.
The rest of the League didn't see that way. Though when Kid Flash had first arrived at their time ended in the defeat of the Reach it didn't mean it could also go wrong. Time was a fragile thing.
Diana was the main speaker against their plan. Yet, she didn't say anything directly to kids believing only theirs mentors had the right to do so. Sadly for her, the mentors allowed it for a reason or another. It really got on the Amazon's nerves to the point where she confronted the Flash directly about it.
"It is reckless and selfish. You must see that Flash," she started for the umpteenth time. He could have sworn he heard most of the League groan internally. She usually picked the end of the already long meeting to bring it up.
"Recklessness has nothing to do with it. Bart has been battling the Reach most of his life. He lost family and friends, and now he only wants to save those he thought he would also be saving by coming here. That is far from selfish," Barry crossed his arms.
Superman agreed with his friend. Bart had come to that time knowing he wouldn't be able to go back home even if he succeeded, but he still did.
"But the fabrics of time are fragile," someone echoed his thoughts, "their tampering though successful once doesn't mean it's not damaging the time stream," the Atom said and there was very little anyone could say to the man with the doctorate in physics.
"That's but a theory," Barry was the exception to this rule; "you know that there's as much a chance that it will do nothing."
"But why take such a chance," Green Arrow said with a sigh, he like Superman saw the point both sides made, "believe me, I see the nobleness behind it. Still, you have to admit the chance of breaking time is not worth taking." Or is it? He could see Ollie debate with himself.
"He did it for us, didn't he?" Shazam said "we wouldn't be here if he hadn't. Who knows how many other they will be saved over there."
Superman tuned out of the debate. It was pointless to debate it now. He was sort of glad the rest didn't know the youngsters would be trying their machine the next day. He wasn't sure if Barry and Bruce knew, but he thought it wasn't his place to tell them if Bart, Tim, and Jaime chose not to. Conner had trusted him with the information only a few hours after learning it himself. Again, he could find fault with the boy.
"Superman?" Wonder Woman asked when the debate turned to him.
"I believe it is not our place to decide what they can and can't do. We taught them well, and they are simply acting based on their judgment and what we told them was right. Changing the rules just because some of us don't agree is not correct. They are young and smart young men. Like us, when we started, they have made mistakes, and we have been there to correct them and help them grow. However, there is a time when we have to stop and let them make their own choices. I know some of the members of the Team have done well following the same path as us step by step, but there are those like them who have chosen to carve their own. I believe that we owe them the benefit of a doubt. Each one of them has proven their capabilities as of late."
He really wasn't sure if they were doing the right thing, but he trusted Conner and Conner trusted his friends. He wanted to believe this was enough for him, but the warning from Atom still nagged at him. He pushed the though away with another. They couldn't really believe that all the young heroes would follow their exact steps. Aqualad, Nightwing, Zatanna, and Rocket had done well under these circumstances, but he could already see other young heroes break away. Conner was among them.
"That is true," everyone turned to look at Batman. He always stayed out of the debates until then. "But, if they indeed work in a different set of rules than us and the Team then the best thing to do would be to let them go their own way."
"Another team?" Wonder Woman asked. Many others looked confused at the idea. They didn't like the idea of the League becoming even more divided. The Team existed not only for the undercover missions but also to teach the young. Another Team didn't make much sense to them.
"No," the Batman said, "just let them go."
"You don't mean to cut them off the League, do you?" Black Canary stood worried. She had watched over many of those kids and couldn't help to worry.
"Yes, let them continue making their own way as we did," Batman said crossing his arms. This was where he stood on the subject.
"But we weren't children back then," Green Lantern said, "well, most of us." He said looking at the younger members of the League.
"They are no longer children. What they have seen and done has made sure of that. All thanks to the path we started them on," he said before some of the mentors looked guilty.
"I believe it will be better if we continue this conversation at our next meeting. Let us think what this would mean for the League and the Team," Martian Man Hunter said.
They all agreed. They would need time to think about what they would decide. Though as they left the meeting room Superman already had a good idea of who was against the idea and who wasn't.
Some like Wonder Woman believed they should not let the young to their own devices while Batman believed they could do well on their own. Then there were others like him who had no idea.
"Dammit," said Flash next to him, "I know they could do it but what if-" he didn't finish. Superman saw him think of that time almost two years ago. They had saved the world but at a terrible cost.
"Bart is trying to honor him," he reminded his friend, "he truly believes in what we are trying to do for the world."
"But he is still a kid, isn't he?" Batman's words had resonated with him. Even Superman hadn't missed the boy hid his seriousness and jaded self behind a mask of humor. "He still goes to school, plays pranks and gets moody out of nowhere."
"But he also has a brilliant mind and has the will to do what he believes right," Black Canary said joining them with Green Arrow.
"I know they are not Roy, but is a harsh world out there," Green Arrow said.
"He didn't exactly turn bad," Flash said, "depending on which one we are talking about."
"Red Arrow is still helping the League his own way and looks after his family. That is good in my book," Superman said.
"But Arsenal went rogue on us," Green arrow said with a frustrated sigh.
"Not really," Black Canary tried to console him, "he seems to be behaving with Todd and Koriand'r."
"Right, because those two are such good influences," Green Arrow said before getting slapped on the back of the head by his girlfriend, "what?"
"They are not perfect, just like everyone else," Canary said before walking away.
"And I got to go," Green Arrow said hurrying after her.
"Conner and Barth wouldn't turn like that," he said to his friend.
"I don't know. Living on a tropical island with a woman like Koriand'r doesn't so bad," Flash said with a smirk which quickly faded, "please don't tell my wife I said that."
Superman shook his head in misbelief before heading for the Zeta-Beam. He needed time to think about this, but it wouldn't be that day. After some grocery shopping, he believed a good afternoon of peace and quiet was what he needed. However, Cat had other ideas. Even before he made it to his apartment, he could already hear the ruckus Cat and others from the office were making at his apartment's hall.
"Oh no," he said faking shock.
"Oh yes Kent, now open the door," Cat Grant said with a smile, "we are not leaving until you are wasted."
Good luck with that, he thought before opening the door. In a few minutes, his apartment was blaring with music, chatter and the hiss of beer cans been open. Soon after that Conner arrived and looked authentically shocked. After Cat pretty much forced him to bring Lori over he went to sit on the couch. He wondered for a moment if he might be able to escape his own home.
"Don't even think about leaving you own party, that would just be lame," Cat said sitting next to him.
"My party?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Your article about Superboy broke the record of views and almost doubled our number of subscribers. They are mostly teenagers wanting to know about the kid, but can't really complain, right?" she said handing him a beer.
He nodded surprisedly. He knew the numbers had improved but not by that much.
"This party is for you Kent, so don't even think about leaving," she said with a smile. They were actually doing it; they were changing the shape of news.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he said taking a gulp from his beer and then realizing she was watching him, "what?"
"In all the years that I have known you I have never seen you drunk," she said curiously.
"I have very high tolerance," to Earth's drinks. There were a few drinks out there which could actually make his mind fuzzy.
"Don't care, now drink," she said before giving him a playful stare. That can't be good; he thought "never made a mistake, have you?"
"Plenty actually," he said as he continued to drink.
"Like?" she asked leaning forwards.
"Like letting you talk him into throwing a party," they both turned to see Lois accompanied by Jonathan Carroll, her boyfriend. "Really, what were you thinking Smallville?"
He saw Cat was ready to answer for him, but decided to stand up for himself.
"Even I know how to have fun every once in a while Lois," he said taking a long drink, "hey John."
"Hey Clark," the man said clearly uncomfortable. He could sense something unspoken among the three of them.
"I need to get another cold one, and so do you," Cat said standing and leaving them.
The chat was very uncomfortable for all of them. Lois and Jonathan congratulated him on his article on Superboy but besides that there was very little to say. He thought about making an excuse to escape the painful sight of them together. He wished he could get drunk then, so he didn't notice the small touches and flirtations. Conner thankfully arrived with his friend Lori to distract them for a short while. Still the sight of them was painful. He was thankful that when Cat returned she noticed and at once dragged him to dance. He was also thankful Cat had forced him to go to clubs in the past, or he would be making a fool out of himself. Though, he was offended that most thought he couldn't dance before then. It wasn't long before Lois and John joined too. He tried to forget them then and just try to have fun.
Conner and Lori had left, and he didn't blame them. Things were getting a little too intense even for him. He had to escape the clutches of a few women and even one guy before he found some safety by the window. From here he watched and listened for anything that might require his help. He really hoped something would come up, but Metropolis chose that night to remind him there was more to his life than just being a hero. So what if he was twenty-nine almost thirty years old. It didn't mean he had to lose all his virtue. He was an example to the hero community. It wouldn't do him any good if they heard he was one of those guys who liked getting around. With a sigh, he went to keep a couple from entering his room. It was the fourth time he had to do this during the night.
"Get a room, but not mine," he told them holding the doorknob so they wouldn't try to bypass him.
"What a prune," they said before walking away.
"Mind if I crash in there?" Cat said joining him. She looked clearly in no condition to get home on her own. With a silent nod he allowed her in and helped her to bed before placing his trashcan by the bed in case she needed it.
"You are such a boy scout," Lois said standing by the door after closing it behind her, "I bet you didn't even think about joining her, did you?"
"I think John should take you home," he said noticing she was also in no condition to get home on her own. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes unfocused.
"Such a boy scout, I bet you don't get any often," she said leaning against the door daring him to remove her.
"Ha!" Cat said rolling on the bed getting more comfortable, "the guy pretty much beats them away with a stick." And then she was snoring.
"You clearly had too much to drink," he said sitting at the edge of the bed. "But don't be mistaken Lois, even I have a point where I don't stand to listen to insult."
"And what will you do when I pass that point? Spank me? You are too nice Smallville," she said and in that instant that she blinked he was before her. She gave a surprised squeak before looking up at his towering figure. He wasn't happy at all.
"You don't want to know Lois. I am a scary sight when angry," he said leaning down until his face was only a few inches from hers. He took her chin on his finger and tilted her head farther. "I know I said I would wait just like I always do when you let go of John, but I am starting to think that a more aggressive approach is called for."
"Like you would dare," but she was shaking like a leaf in the wind.
"You don't know me that well then," he said leaning down and pressed his lips to her. Her body tensed for a moment before relaxing against his. Her lips were so soft but also tasted like beer and something else. He had to find out what that was. He tilted her head and pressed her body against his against the closed door. She had moaned against his lips before he deepened the kiss. If only Cat wasn't sleeping on his… His mind drifted away as Lois wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down even more into the now frantic kiss. He poured as much as he could of the eight years of longing to the kiss. He had to hold her up by her hips as her legs weakened.
"Lois?" they stopped when they heard a knock on the door.
They had frozen before he hurried to lye her down on his bed next to Cat.
"You are sleeping," he told her fast as he covered her with the blanket. She could only nod before closing her eyes.
Clark opened the door to find Jonathan looking worried.
"They are sleeping," he said before he showed John the two girls sleeping peacefully.
"Oh," he relaxed immediately but then turned to look at Clark, "Lois keeps saying there is nothing between you two, but tell me the truth; there is something, isn't there?"
"Does it matter? She is with you," he said closing the door behind Jonathan. He didn't want to become the subject of gossip.
"I wish I could say I was sorry," the man admitted.
"Its fine," he said sitting at the edge of the bed, "I am just surprised it has lasted this long."
"What do you mean?"
"You and Lois; she usually goes out with someone for a few months but things escalated right after I left the Planet." Actually it had done so a little before then, but John didn't need to know that.
"Are you saying she only started a serious relationship after you left? You might not seem like it, but you actually got a big ego, don't you?" Johnathan said with a frown.
"I am just saying she went to look for me back in Thanksgiving, did you know that?" he could hear Lois' heart accelerate as he said the words.
In fact, he did not. Jonathan had left to spend it with his family and Lois said she wanted to stay.
"Anyhow, she is with you for now," he said standing and walking towards the door.
"You bastard," the man threw a punch at him. He faked tilting his head to the side from the shock, "shit." Jonathan cradled his hurt hand. After making sure he didn't have any broken bones Clark went to get some ice wrapped in the kitchen towel. "You make it difficult to hate you."
"It's a gift," he said regretting making Jonathan upset, "you can stay here too if you want."
"I won't let her go," he said as Clark started leaving the room.
"There is nothing to let go of," he said stopping at the door, "Lois will let you go if she wants to, that's been the way it always has been."
Jonathan Carroll opened his mouth to reply but just as fast closed it. He couldn't deny it. Clark couldn't help smirking at Jonathan's realization. He had been with her for some time and didn't realize this before? He didn't stand a chance.
He saw out everyone who was in condition to leave and tried to accommodate to those who couldn't. It was the early hours of the day when Conner returned home and helped him cleanup. After all had been done, he watched as he left to save that other time. As he prepared the coffee, he realized he had never felt so proud of Conner before. He went to his computer and started readying Conner's article. Halfway through it, he already had in mind to congratulate him when he got back home. When he reached the end, he stopped for a moment for the last part was not an actual part of the article, but a message to him. He turned to look at his bedroom door with a frown. He wasn't sure if he should be angry or worried. Or maybe, he though leaning back on his chair, maybe he shouldn't say anything and let Conner handle it. Truth was he was worried about what was going to happen next. As of late, things were just getting more complicated, and he was no seer to know what would happen next to be ready. He went to get another cup before he heard shifting on his bedroom. She was awake.
"You are a monster," he heard Lois as she left the bedroom. She glared at him with tired eyes and a headache the size of Texas, "how can you be up and about so early after that and not look like crap."
"I have a very high tolerance," he said as he presented her a cup of coffee.
"Right," she said rolling her eyes, "you know I remember what you said to Jonathan last night. That was uncalled for."
"I have no idea what you are talking about. I am just a mild mannered reporter raised in Kansas," he said drinking from his own cup. "You can ask just about anyone."
They drank their coffee in calm and watched as people woke up, took a cup and then left. Clark decided to leave the door and windows open to let the smell of beer and cigars leave the apartment. Eventually, Cat came out and glared at both.
"You two beat around the bush too much," she said as she left, "I want that article by tomorrow morning Clark."
"Good morning to you too," he couldn't help laughing.
"I think I will go wake Jonathan up," Lois said before she left to wake her boyfriend up.
That's hadn't gone so bad. Though he wasn't sure how approach her with what he really wanted to tell her. He continued to think as he drank his coffee when he heard someone he would have never expected to visit his apartment approaching.
"Clark? What happened here?" Diana appeared at the door dressed in a suit and with her hair gathered in a bun.
"He is not with the Garrets," Barry arrived a moment later, "wow, what's that smell!" He looked around the living room where some people still slept. "I think we got the wrong place."
"Barry? Diana? Is there something wrong?" he asked stepping forwards.
"I want to talk to Conner," Wonder Woman said seriously. "Is time he stopped them."
"I think it will be better if we talk about this in the dinner across the street. I have company," he told them looking nervously towards his bedroom.
"Oh… ohhh!" Barry had said before Jonathan Carroll came out of his bedroom looking half dead with his hangover, "what?!"
"Sorry for crashing your bed Kent," Jonathan said before he realized he wasn't alone, "ehm good morning?"
"Diana Prince," Wonder Woman said not one bit bothered.
"Ba-Barry Allen," the Flash said giving his friend curious glances. Superman couldn't help to roll his eyes at his friend's assumption.
"Take a cup for the road John, I want to get back home before-," but Lois stopped in her tracks when she spotted the new arrivals.
"Okay?" Barry asked his friend.
"I will explain later," Clark whispered hurriedly before Diana and Barry shared introductions.
"Wait, you don't mean the Diana Prince from the Department of Meta-human Affairs?" Jonathan said recognizing her.
"The very same," she said keeping cool attitude.
"Ms. Prince if you got time I would love to interview you," Johnathan said wide eyed.
"Right now is not a good time Mr. Carroll," she said giving a glare at both Barry and Clark, "there is something very important that I have to talk to Clark and Barry."
"It's fine Diana," Barry said trying to buy them some time, "Bruce is not here yet and I could do with some breakfast."
"Fine," she sighed.
"You guys go ahead to the dinner down the street. I will see everyone else out and get changed," Clark also said trying to delay things as much as possible.
As soon as they were gone he showered and dressed in a clean set of clothes before asking the remaining crashers to leave, but not without a complementary cup of coffee.
"You should do this more often Kent. Cat usually kicks us out without even a chance to the loo," the last person said as he left.
Once alone, he concentrated his hearing towards STAR Labs. The boys were just getting organized. He had to buy them some time before Wonder Woman realized that was the day. When he arrived at the dinner, Barry had already eaten through two stacks of flapjacks and was now going through a third. Lois watched him curiously as she listened to her boyfriend interview the beautiful woman in front of him who drank calmly from a cup of coffee before her.
"About time Smallville," Lois said stabbing a fruit from her fruit bowl.
"Sorry," he said sitting down and ordering.
"Thank you, Ms. Prince. I have to say, I was very surprised you were a friend of Clark," Jonathan said as he turned his recorder off.
"Why would you be surprised? Given our line of work it is not strange at all," she said with a raised eyebrow.
"I guess you are right though I don't get why he didn't take the chance to interview you himself," Jonathan gave Clark a curious look. He only responded with a shrug.
"He is a first rate gentleman," Diana responded, "and wouldn't strain our friendship with something like that. Though, as of late I am questioning his guardianship methods."
"Conner is no longer a child Diana," he told her.
"But I beg to differ Clark, he is still young and needs more guidance," she said before looking at Barry, who stopped chewing under her stare, "and Bart too. I know you two were given a great responsibility out of nowhere but-"
"Sorry for being late," she was interrupted by a young adult barging to their table.
"Dick? Where is Bruce?" Diana asked starting to get upset.
"He said 'that's what the meetings are for.' And to not bother him until after midday," he said scratching the back of his head. In reality, he was there so she wouldn't smash her way into the cave.
"And Tim?" she asked as the two of them lived in the mansion with Bruce. He had to know.
"Probably getting into trouble, isn't that why we are here?" he was told by Alfred he had left very early, but that was it.
The four heroes then looked at the reporters.
"Private conversation, we get the hint," Lois said grabbing her boyfriend who was still looking dreamily at Diana, "see you later Smallville."
Just as they were about to exit the dinner, the earth shook. The four heroes ran outside as an explosion was heard. They turned towards the source of the explosion. It was STAR Labs.