Superman A.S (After Smallville)

Summary: Future Fic. A take on Clark's return after his training. How do the people in his life react after his 5 year absence? Is Clark finally ready to embrace his destiny? and who comes up with glasses as a disguise.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

Author's note: I don't include Kara (at least not yet) because I believe it's more poignant to have Clark the sole survivor of Krypton.

Clark exits the holographic circle for the last time. It is done. 5 years ago he had accepted his inevitable destiny and begun his training with Jor-El. Part of him hadn't wanted to. In the last year before he left he had begun to develop feelings for Lois. Lois of all people. After the end of his relationship with Lana, Lois had taken it upon herself to help him through it. At first he just wanted her to go away and leave him be but Lois doesn't take no. She started dragging him along on her investigations. How many times had he have to save her? Clark had lost count. Then somewhere along the road he noticed his heart wasn't pining for Lana anymore. Lois made him smile, Lois made him laugh, Lois had gotten under his impenetrable skin somehow.

He had never denied Lois was beautiful but he had always thought her rather annoying, constantly getting a laugh at his expense. Over time Clark learned that that was a front Lois put up to keep people out. Truthfully she was afraid as anyone of letting someone into her heart. She had become his friend but over that last year he noticed that she began to occupy his thoughts. She was never afraid to challenge him, say what she thought. He actually liked that. Being as powerful as he was, he needed someone to kick him up the backside every so often and boy was he getting powerful. His powers were beginning to dwarf what he had been able to do as a teenager. That's why in the end he had to leave, he had to learn to control them fully before he hurt someone, especially Lois.

Clark had dreaded that final day, telling Lois he was leaving. Chloe and his mother already knew and he believed they understood his reasons. They had a final dinner together. Afterwards he went up to the loft in the barn to work up the nerve to tell Lois. She followed him "Clark, What's wrong?

Damn. Is he that easy to read? "Lois, I..I"

Lois walks up to him and he looks into those hazel eyes. She's so beautiful.

"Clark, what is it?"

Clark turns away, he can't look her in the eye and do this. "Lois I'm leaving. I'm going to travel the world. I need to find my place in it"

Clark wasn't sure what Lois's response would be. He expected yelling and braced his sensitive ears.

"I understand" was Lois's reply

Clark turns back round to face her. No yelling. He tries to read her face but she has put her mask on. Ok she is upset, Clark knew this was her response mechanism to try and shut it out. He wonders for a second if she has feelings for him like he has for her. Could she feel something more than friendship? Honestly Clark didn't know and now he would probably never find out.

Lois starts walking out but before she leaves she turns round "Do me a favour, look me up if your travels bring you to Metropolis"

"Sure, Lois"

Clark watches her smile and with that she leaves. Clark goes back into the house and says his farewells. He then leaves for the Kawatche Caves and uses the portal to reach the Fortress. That was five years ago. He instructed the Fortress to create new clothes for him. Something resembling Kryptonian formal wear. He turned the robes into a cape, bright red. The suit he was having created was red and blue, his favourite colours. On the chest he would place the symbol of the House of El. His teachings had made him proud of his family, he finally understood Jor-El. Ok he didn't agree with all his actions but he understood them. Besides he was the last representative of Krypton. He understood what he had to do. He had to lead the human race away from its current path of self destruction. So all he had to do was change the world. Yeah that was going to be so easy.

Clark got changed and looked around the Fortress. He had slowly altered it to make it feel more homely. A bed, a couch, well something resembling a couch and his souvenirs from his travels. His training hadn't all been simply learning data. He had to understand people so he would travel the world for months on end. He avoided the States, afraid he might bump into someone he knew and that would then involve explanations of what he had been up to. He wanted to avoid that at least until he returned. He had enjoyed his travels, he wrote about them in articles, even had a few published. Chloe was never going to let him hear the end of that. He saw the best and worst of humanity and came to the conclusion that he couldn't help people from the shadows like Oliver. He had to lead in the open. He just had to work out how he would do that exactly, maybe he could ask his mother. In fact why doesn't he go see her. It's the recess, she'll be in Smallville and lets face it he had missed her cooking.

Before Clark leaves there is one last thing to do. He goes over to the control panel and pulls out a crystal.

"Kal-El" Jor-El's voice booms through the Fortress

"Father"

"This part of your journey is now complete. Your destiny is now your own"

"I know we haven't always agreed but I understand what I must do. I thank you father for all you have taught me"

"You're are welcome my son. Lead humanity away from Krypton's fate. They can be a great people, they wish to be, they only lack the light to show the way. It is for this reason above all else, their capacity for good that I have sent them you, my only son"

Clark replaces the crystal. That brought a tear to his eyes. He had never heard his father speak with such softness. He wondered if that was what he was really like. All he had was this AI copy which he thought lacked compassion. Well it was time to go home. Clark bends his knees slightly and then propels himself up. He flies upward towards the sun. He loves flying after he had finally figured out how to do it. He had come to the conclusion that his previous inability to fly was due to the fact he had been fighting his Kryptonian nature. Once he had come to accept that both his human and Kryptonian sides could live together flying had almost come naturally.

Clark hovers letting the rays of the sun energise his body. He looks down and picks out Smallville's location and blasts down through the atmosphere creating a sonic boom. It is night time in Smallville so he flies up to the farm unnoticed. He can see his mother in the house alone. It bothers Clark that his mother is lonely. He would have to spend some time with her now that he was back. He lands softly in front of the house. He can see his mother has fallen asleep on the couch. Clark lets himself in, from the clock he can see it is after midnight. He gently picks his mother up and puts her to bed. Their reunion can wait till the morning.

Martha wakes up the next morning still wearing last night's clothes. She is in her bed, she can't remember actually getting here. Every year during the recess she comes back to the farm, hoping that perhaps Clark would come back. 5 years. It had seemed to drag on even though she had been re-elected to the Senate. She glances at the clock, 7.32. She better get up, Chloe is coming today. She had come every year as well for the same reason, to wait for Clark. Lois hadn't come at all. Her reaction to Clark leaving was to bury herself in her work and professionally that had paid off. Lois was one of the best reporters in the world now. Martha gets up and opens her door to be greeted by the smell of cooking. It was too early for Chloe wasn't it? She goes down the stairs and into the kitchen to the sight of a tall man with long dark hair. He turns around and Martha looks into a face she hasn't seen in 5 years "Clark!"

Martha runs and hugs him, tears in her eyes. "Hey mom". Clark just hugs her back. After a short time "Mom, breakfast is going to be burnt if you don't let go of me"

"Just as long as you promise your not leaving"

"I'm not leaving mom" Martha lets go "at least not before breakfast" Clark says with a slight smile

Martha frowns at him "Remember Clark, I'm your mother and that smile doesn't work on me"

Clark goes back to breakfast and Martha studies her son. He is even bigger than he was before he left and have his eyes changed colour? They look blue, sort of, but like no blue she has ever seen. They look, she hates to say it, alien. One thing for certain, he needs a haircut. Clark finishes making breakfast and he sits down at the table. Martha watches him eat enough for several people. Some things never change. "So Clark, honey, are you really here to stay"

Clark swallows his food "Yes, at least till I figure out what I'm going to do"

"Do what?"

"What I was sent here to do"

"Clark you need to elaborate and please say this isn't about ruling the human race"

Clark chuckles. His mom gives him a disapproving look. "No mom its about helping people to be better than they are. I need to set an example for people to follow. I just haven't worked out how to do that yet"

Martha thinks that through "Won't that mean showing yourself to the world"

"Yes, that's the bit I haven't worked out yet. I have to come up with a way to do it without putting you or anyone else at risk"

He hadn't changed as much as Martha had feared. He still puts others before himself. Sometimes she wishes he would think of himself after all he deserves to be happy too. She sees him turn his head slightly towards the window "A car's coming"

A car? Chloe.

Chloe had gotten up at the crack of dawn to start her drive to see Mrs Kent. She really needed coffee. She wondered if it was a bad thing her need for caffeine. She envied Clark, all he needed was the sun. It had been 5 years since she had seen her friend. Frankly she was amazed she was still alive without him saving her. Since he left, Metropolis had gone to hell. It had become a war zone between Intergang and Lex to see who would have control of the city. She and Lois had done their best to expose both of them but it was difficult. Between them they controlled the politicians and the police and frankly some days she thought most of the city. Lois refused bluntly to come with her. Every year she asked and every year Lois refused, taking her vacation time somewhere abroad and sunny. Honestly, why couldn't she just admit she missed Clark. Lois had never been good at admitting her feelings. She had tried to ignore them by burying herself in her work and Chloe had to admit Lois was good, perhaps better than her.

So she neared the farm for her now fifth annual visit. It was good to share the pain of missing Clark with Mrs Kent after all who else knew the whole truth except the two of them. She stops the car and gets out and walks into the house. She finds Mrs Kent sitting at the kitchen table. She notes that there are 2 plates. That's odd. "Hi Mrs Kent. Is someone else here?" She watches Mrs Kent say nothing and then feels someone touch her shoulder. Chloe jumps and turns round. She looks at the man who had touched her. No it wasn't, was it? "Clark?"

"You were expecting the Easter bunny or something" Clark says in a mocking tone.

Chloe knows that tone anywhere. It is Clark. Wow he's taller, a little, certainly more muscular and his eyes were now an odd blue colour. Yet he is still wearing plaid shirts and jeans. She hugs him. "I missed you"

"I missed you too Chloe"

Chloe then hits him "And don't sneak up on people. You nearly gave me a heart attack and what's with your eyes?"

"Sorry and what about my eyes?"

"They've changed colour"

"They have?" Clark hadn't noticed. He walks over to a mirror.

Martha adds her own comment "They have honey. I was going to ask you about that"

Clark looks in a mirror. Wow they had changed colour. "I hadn't noticed"

Chloe looks at him "Clark not to mock your observation skills but you just can't not notice your eyes changing colour"

"I don't know what to say Chloe. I just never really paid attention"

"Does that include your hair. When was the last time you cut it?" Martha adds.

Clark looks at the mirror again, it is long. "I haven't had it cut since I left. It grows slowly"

Chloe looks at him "That's 5 years growth, it's barely at your shoulders"

Clark turns to look at her and shrugs. "So I haven't really kept up what did I miss?"

Chloe raises her eyebrow. "You better sit down, it's a long story"

Chloe then proceeds to explain what has happened to Metropolis since he left. Clark is dismayed. He had no idea things had deteriorated that much. "I didn't really hear about any of this"

"That's no surprise. Between Lex and Intergang most of the media outlets are neutered. I wouldn't be surprised if Lex tries to buy the Daily Planet back". He had sold it after nearly running it into the ground. "Honestly me and Lois report what we can but we've been sued 3 times this year already"

Clark's eyes light up at the mention of Lois "How is Lois?"

Chloe takes a drink of her coffee "She's fine. Star reporter and all"

Clark watches Chloe. He knows her well enough to know when she is holding back. "What aren't you telling me Chloe?"

"Nothing" Chloe sees Clark eye her suspiciously "Well except that she's determined to expose Lex and I'm sure it's going to get her into trouble. One of her sources in Luthorcorp claims to have evidence about Lex selling arms to foreign powers on the slide"

Martha jumps in "Are you sure Chloe?"

"So Lois tells me"

Clark looks at his mother's worried expression "Mom, what is it?"

"Luthorcorp is up for new defence contracts. If it is exposed that Lex is selling weapons abroad he'll lose the contract. It's worth several billion dollars"

Clark raises his eyebrows at that. Lex had killed for far less. During that last year before he left it had become clear that Lex was a lost cause. Clark even suspected he had something to do with Lionel's death but he couldn't prove it. Chloe interrupts his thoughts "So enough of the depressing talk, what have you been doing these last 5 years Clark?"

Clark did his best to explain his training. The knowledge had basically been downloaded into his head. He took more time in explaining his world travels. When he got to the bit about his writing articles Chloe's face lit up.

"So writing articles huh. Wondered how long it would take before my disease infected you. Can I read them?"

"Sure" Clark gets up. He had brought them with him from the Fortress. He goes up to his room and brings them down. He hands them to Chloe who is soon immersed.

Martha gets up "Well lets do the dishes, she's going to be a while"

Chloe spent most of the morning reading Clark's work. He was really good. He put across a human quality to the stories that neither she or Lois could manage. Hey she knew her own weaknesses. She put the articles down. Now where was Clark? Duh the barn where else. Chloe walks out the house and finds him up in the loft. "5 years and you're still brooding"

"I am not brooding, I'm thinking" he corrects her.

"About?"

"About how to save the world"

"Geez Clark perhaps you should start a little smaller"

Clark smiles "That's why I'm here Chloe. To lead humanity away from Krypton's fate"

Ok he's now gone from local hero to world's saviour. "How Clark?"

"I don't know. That's why I came back here first so I could think about it"

"Well why don't you start in Metropolis. I mean you could get a job at the Planet" Chloe suggests.

The Planet? Me? Oh that would mean seeing Lois again. Clark was torn about that. He hadn't actually got round to asking if Lois had found someone to be with. It would be difficult to have to watch her with someone else. "I'm not sure Chloe"

"Clark, your work is good and while I'm the first to defend reporters the truth is too many are in the pay of Lex or Intergang. Metropolis needs people like you, who aren't corruptible"

Well he did need someplace to start. Perhaps he could turn Metropolis into a beacon for the world to admire and copy. "Well Ok"

Chloe smiles "Great. Now for your hero stuff. Do you have a costume yet and a name?"

"Whoa Chloe, one thing at a time. My hero stuff?"

"Yeah, you know saving people. You said that's why you're here"

"It is"

"Well then, costume, name"

"I haven't thought about a name and as for the costume..."

Chloe watches Clark disappear and reappear in a red and blue skin-tight suit and red boots. He had a red cape and what she recognised as a Kryptonian symbol on his chest in red and yellow. Wow it really showed off his physique. Don't go there Chloe. She studies the suit. It's unlike any material she has ever seen and a cape? "Ok costume. What's the symbol and why a cape?"

"The symbol is the crest of the House of El and as for the cape, well I thought it would look cool when I'm flying"

Flying!? "Back up there Clark. Flying. You actually can do that now?"

"Yeah. Want proof?"

Before Chloe could answer Clark grabs her and shoots upward. Chloe watches the ground disappear. This is unbelievable, well more so than normal for Clark. "Clark I think that's enough showing off"

Clark pouts "You're no fun"

"Yeah, yeah. Forgive me I prefer planes"

"I have a better safety record. After all how did you think I travelled to all those places I've been too. Running on water is more Bart's thing"

"True and he goes by the Flash these days"

The Flash? "You're kidding right?" Clark asks her at the oddness of that name.

"Nope, he came up with that himself" Chloe replies.

Doesn't surprise Clark in the least. "He's still hitting on you isn't he?"

Chloe rolls her eyes "'Fraid so. Now back to being on the ground"

"Fine" Clark reverses course and heads back to the barn. Once inside he puts Chloe down. Chloe staggers for a second as she regains her balance.

"So fancy new powers; check. Costume, needs a mask..."

"I'm not wearing a mask Chloe"

"What? People will recognise you". Totally idiotic alien farm boy.

"I'm here to lead by example Chloe. I can't do that hiding behind a mask and besides it's been 5 years, I've changed, you said so"

"Yeah but without a mask you can't have a normal life"

Clark sighs "I know. That's the wrinkle I need to work out"

Wrinkle? "Some wrinkle. Let me think about it. Do you at least have a name?" Clark shakes his head negatively "Let me think about that too"

With that Chloe goes back to the house. Clark goes and gets changed back into his shirt and jeans and does some chores. The house and the barn needs a few repairs. He decides to take his time and do them at normal speed and think about how he can make this work as well.

Chloe is staying the night. She's in bed thinking about Clark's dilemma. What's the solution, there has to be one. Ok no-one has seen Clark in 5 years. He looks different. No-one probably remembers exactly what he looks like anyway. Then a light bulb goes off. No-one knows what he looks like anymore, therefore he can look like anything. "I've got it!" Chloe screams, jumps out of bed and runs downstairs to where Clark is FLOATING above the couch. "Clark wake up."

Clark mumbles. "CLARK WAKE UP!" Chloe shouts.

Clark's eyes shoot open and in his surprise he falls onto the couch. Rather irritated "What is it Chloe?"

"I've got it"

"Got what?" Clark rubs his eyes.

"The solution." You big dumb alien she mentally adds.

"The solution to what? Chloe it's..." Clark looks at the time. "it's 3 o'clock in the morning. My brain isn't working yet"

Chloe rolls her eyes "The solution to your alter ego problem"

"Oh that. So what's your idea?"

"Well no-one knows what you look like, right?" Clark nods in agreement. "Exactly, therefore we make Clark Kent the mask"

"Ok. How?" Clark really needed some clarification.

"We make your everyday appearance as different as we can from your superhero one"

Ok that actually makes sense. Even though Clark wasn't quite sure how he would make it work. "So what do we do?"

"Well for starters you need to cut your hair. I assume normal scissors won't cut it"

Clark shakes his head "No"

"Well you do that first thing and then you and I are going shopping"

"Shopping. Why?"

"Two words Clark. Make over" Clark did not like the gleam in Chloe's eyes when she said that.