The monitors were blaring as chaos fell upon the watch tower's med bay. The doctors and Batman were trying help the boy in the bed. They scrambled about trying to find a way to put an end to what they could only assume was another seizure. It was only the latest in a string of complications that had plagued the boy over the last few weeks.
The Dark Knight along with a half dozen other heroes try their best to restrain the boy as a doctor injected a cocktail of drugs in an attempt to calm him. After a moment the boys movements ceased as he stilled. His breathing was labored and sweat soaked his form. Batman took a moment as he considered what had brought on this latest seizure before turning to contact the boy's mentor. He had after all promised to contact the Kryptonian in the event something happened. As he stepped into the hall Batman couldn't help the feeling that one way or another this would soon be over as the familiarity of the situation started to creep up on him.
"Superman," Batman spoke into the comlink.
"Superman here," was his reply "what is it Batman,"
"Clark its Conner, I don't think he has much time left," Batman stated keeping the emotions from his voice.
"I'm on my way," was the concerned filled reply from the the Man of Steel.
Heading back into the room Batman's eyes fell upon Conner a worried look filled his eyes as he took in the sight before him. There was no doubt in his mind that Conner was running out of time.
—5 Months Earlier—-
The day began like any other. Clark Kent stood in the kitchen preparing his son's lunch as he tried to get Conner to get out of bed. He had called for him to get up out of bed and ready for school nearly five times in the last half hours.
"Conner this is the last time I'm going to call you. If I have to come in there then there will be no training with the Team for a week," Clark called reaching the end of his rope. He knew he shouldn't have allowed Conner to stay out so late knowing it was a school night. However the Team had been in need of an extra pair of eyes for the recon mission.
"I'm up," was Conner's reply to his father's last warning as he entered the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Despite his annoyance of having to call his son so many times to get him out of bed. Clark couldn't help but smile at least he still had one card up his sleeve that still worked. Clark was starting to find out that as Conner was getting older it was no longer as easy to get him to do things. Still he was young enough that he could hold training over his son's head.
As he continued to fix his and Conner's lunches Clark took a deep breath. He was still coming to terms with the fact his son had reached the age where he was old enough to go on missions with the team. Even more so was the fact Conner had his powers already. He was only eight years old and he already had his powers. Clark hadn't received his until he was in his mid teens yet still. That had sparked a week long debate between him and Bruce about letting Conner return to the team if for no other reason than to help the young Kryptonian to gain control over his powers once more. That had been three years ago just after Conner's fifth birthday, and now he was starting to go on missions. Where had his little boy gone. Clark wondered as he looked at the clock.
"Conner are you ready yet," Clark called noticing the time.
"Just about," Conner called back and in a moment more was standing in front of him.
"Conner you said you wouldn't give me any trouble get up this morning if I let you go on that mission last night," Clark stated as he stood with his arms crossed in front of him.
"Sorry dad it won't happen again," Conner said shyly.
"It better not or your grounded for a week," replied Clark sternly. He knew if he didn't put an end to this now it would only get worse from there "now let get going or you'll be late," Clark stated as he handed Conner his lunch. In truth Conner's school wasn't that far from them and if he really had to he could have flown him there, but instead he insisted that they drove like everyone else. Clark had taken a great deal of time and effort setting the rule on how he was to act when he was Conner Kent and when he was Superboy. He had become almost as protected over Conner's secret Identity as Bruce was over Dick's and Jason's .
Closing and locking the door Conner and him headed down the hallway to the stairwell and ultimately to the parking garages.
The ride to school was a quite one as Clark thought over what the day held in store for them. His thoughts were interrupted however when Conner broke the silence by speaking.
"So have you though any more about me joining the soccer team," Conner asked hopefully.
"I have," Clark answered after a moment more of though.
"And…," Conner said leaving it open.
"Conner I just don't think it is a good idea for you to be joining the school's team when your still learning to control your powers," was his answer.
"So thats a no," Conner stated slouching in his seat and crossing his arms as he looked away from him.
"For now yes," Clark confirmed as he continued to watch the road before him. The two remained in silenced for a few moments before Clark could no longer take it "Conner you have to understand why I don't want you joining the team," Clark tried again in hopes that his son would understand.
"I do, you don't think I can control my powers enough to play with anyone other than the team," Conner replied not looking at his dad.
"That is not it," protested the man of steel.
"Then why," asked Conner this time looking to his dad.
"Its…complicated," Clark replied hesitantly. Though Conner wasn't far off from Clarks reasoning he was still uncertain on how to handle Conners power. After all he had never had to deal with having the abilities his son had at this age.
"I knew it," Conner said as he returned to stare out the window.
With a heavy sigh Clark pulled into the school parking lot pulling the car up to the loading zone. Putting the car in park he turned to look at his son "we'll talk more about this after school,"
"Fine," was all Conner could muster as he exited the car firmly closing it before he could hear any response from his dad.
Again Clark let out a heavy sigh as he watched his son walk through the school doors. Putting the car in drive the reporter drove off. When he was once again was in the flow of traffic Clark tapped at a few buttons on the console and soon heard the sound of a phone ringing.
"Wayne," came the ever so familiar monotone voice.
"Bruce its Clark do you have a minute," Clark asked not knowing who else to talk to about this.
"Yes what do you want," the millionaire asked in his usual business tone.
"I needs some advice," Clark admitted knowing it was best to always cut to the chase no matter which of his alter egos he dealt with.
Upon hearing that Bruce looked down at his watch he had a couple of hours of free time for a change and though he would have rather spent it doing research on his latest case. He knew that there must really be something weighing on his friend's mind if he was asking for advice.
"Well I'm acutely in Metropolis on business. If you really need to talk meet me at that diner say twenty minutes," Bruce stated flatly knowing that the office was the last place he should be having private meeting with Clark of all people.
"Sounds good," agreed Clark as he looked at his watch "see you then," and with that the call ended.
Bruce walked into the diner. He took a moment to look around spotting the person he was there to see quickly. Making his way to the corner booth the billionaire took his seat. A moment later a waitress appeared and poured him a cup of coffee. He thanked her and when she was no longer in hearing range turned to look at the reporter. The two sat in silence for a moment.
"So why is it that you called seeking advice," Bruce said after a moment.
"Conner wants to join his schools soccer team," Clark stated plainly.
"And for this you call me up for advice," replied Bruce with a raised brow.
"You make it sound so simple," Clark said with a sigh.
"Well isn't it," Bruce stated as if it were.
"No," Clark said as he looked over the rims of his glasses.
"And whys that," Bruce asked leaning back in his seat.
"Because of his…," he began to answered only to allow his thoughts to trail off unsure of how to discuss his son's power in public.
"His abilities," Bruce supplied keeping his voice low.
"Yes," Clark said with an uneasy smile.
"I still don't see why you are so hesitant to allow him to play. If any thing I would assume you would jump at it," Bruce said taking a sip of his coffee.
"And why is that," Clark asked not seeing the other's reasoning.
"Well for one he will eventually have to learn to control his abilities in such settings where he'll have to react without having a chance to think. Yes he is already having to do that now but he is still having to concentrate to use the full extent of his gifts. Besides he will need to learn to juggle school and a personal life with his responsibilities. If he were to join his school's soccer team I would think that would be a good place to start. He still at the age where it still more for fun than it is for competition," Bruce said explaining his reasoning.
"I suppose so," Clark said as he leaned back. He had to hand it to Bruce he had a point. There would come a point where Conner would have to learn all of this and the last thing he wanted was for his son to have to learn to adapt as quickly as he had to.
"Besides what does his mother have to say about all of this," Bruce asked knowing Clark shouldn't be making this decision by himself.
"She is still off the grid and out of communication range. She won't be back until the end of the week," Clark informed him.
"I see and so that is why you called me," Bruce asked as he seemed to be given a glimpse of the bigger picture. He couldn't help the small smile that skated across his lip at the though.
"You know how she get when I call her while on mission without it being a dire emergency," Clark exclaimed while still keeping his voice low.
"I know but still," Bruce said a small smirk still on his lips "shouldn't you two already have this all figured out." he asked knowing full well that the situation between Clark and Conner's mother was sensitive.
"Should of but haven't," Clark stated giving up the losing argument. He already knew what she would say which is why he had called Bruce in the first place. If there would be anyone tot agree with him it would be him.
"If your that concerned about how he will handle so many obligations make it clear to him what will happen if it prove to be to much," Bruce stated bluntly as he took a sip of coffee.
"And that would be…," Clark asked.
"That you will cut back on his activities. That is what I did with Dick and Jason," Bruce answered "at least give him the chance to prove that he can handle it." he added making his point.
"I suppose your right," responded Clark with a sigh as he wondered again why he had chosen to call Bruce for advice.
"Because you know I'm always right," answered Bruce as if he knew what he was thinking. To which his only received a glare from the reporter sitting across from him.
Author's note:
Well there you have it the first chapter of the long awaited sequel. To be honest I wasn't quite sure where to start. So I decided to I decided to take a page from Homer and sorta start it in the middle. I also chose to start it off with a small glimpse into the life that despite the circumstances they have built. With any luck we will see how that life is turned up side down soon. Well anyway please leave a review and tell me what you think. I'm always open to listening to what you guys have to say. Until next time…