Setting: Takes place six months after the finale.

Summary: Doomsday has returned, but he isn't the only one, an enemy of the past returns seeking revenge on his enemies. With one hero down will the others be able to handle the return of their old foe? And who is this new super powered being lurking in the shadows. Is he here to help or does he have his own plans in mind?

Preserving The Future

Metropolis

Clock Tower

2:00 a.m.

This wasn't supposed to happen. This hadn't been part of the plan. This wasn't how the night was supposed to go...

There was supposed to be a candlelit dinner. Soft music playing in the background. It was supposed to be a night full of love, tenderness and remembrance, as they gazed into each others eyes. They would go home. The home they have shared for a little more then seven years. He would lead her to their bed room. He be looking at her not needing to say anything at all. She would already know everything he wanted to say. He would gently lay he down on the bed and lie down next to her putting his strong arms protectively around her. He would kiss her softly and tell her he loves her. They would lay there for several minutes in each others arms kissing each other so tenderly, as if it were their first time.

She would slowly unbutton his shirt wanting to take it slow, but the urge to feel his skin against hers would be so overwhelming that neither one would be able to wait. They would cover themselves under the sheets making love all through the night. And when their passion had settled he would cradle her in his arms and hold her all through the night.

But that wasn't what happened... Fate had other plans in mind.

After everything they had gone through to get to this point. All the sacrifices they each had made. This was supposed to be their night. Didn't they deserve one night? Just one night? Haven't they've done enough. Was the world really this cruel? That it wouldn't grant them happiness.

It was six month exactly since they had said their 'I do's'. Even though as far, as they were both concerned they had been married for seven years, but he'd insisted they celebrate their six month anniversary of making it official. It had been a beautiful day, a wonderful moment. A moment she had thought would never happen. They had attempted so many times before, but something had always gotten in the way.

…. And then the moment happened. It was a dream come true.

You would think a simple romantic dinner would have been easy. They hard part had been done. It all should have been so perfect, so simple, so easy. The morning had started out fine. There had been no emergency's. No cries for help.

Maybe that should have been the first sign. The warning of things to come. The calm before the store, because hours later their perfect morning would all come crashing down. In one instant it was all gone. Everything. Everything that mattered. How was it possible that one moment you have it all and the next all of it was gone?

There is no such thing, as perfect. Perfect is a fools dream. Her gravest fear had finally come true. She had only been fooling herself when she had convinced herself that this day would never come. It was here staring her right in the face and it was going to go away. The sun will rise in the morning, but her light would be gone.

She stares out the window. Her arms pressing against her chest, as if it were the only thing holding her together. The loud sirens and honking of cars echo throughout the city. She gives no reaction. Lost in her own world. Lost in her thoughts, as she relives the day over and over in her mind bringing tears to her eyes.

She vaguely aware of the sound coming from the television, a cruel reminder that nothing would be the same ever again.

"If you're just joining us, we have unfortunate news to report, at 7:45p.m. the world lost one of its greatest heroes..."

Nineteen hours earlier...

Metropolis

Clark and Lois Apartment

7:00 a.m.

Her eyes fluttered open, as she turned to face the warm body lying next to her. It still amazed her how waking up next to him every morning makes her feel even after all these years. It's never gotten old. The feeling that she felt the first morning she woke up curled in his embrace was still there. She never wanted this feeling to go away. She smiled happily kissing him softly on the lips.

"Morning honey."

"Good morning to you too," he replied, as he gently stroked her hair staring at her lovingly. In his heart knowing there was no one he could ever possibly love or have loved more then the beautiful stunning woman lying next to him. Not even Lana. Yes. He had loved Lana and others before Lois, but it had been a different kind of love. This...this was real. She was his soulmate. His true love. His everything. Without Lois he would be lost. He didn't want a day to go by without her in it.

"Sleep well?"

"I always sleep well when I'm with you."

"Good answer," replied Lois, as she kissed him again.

"So...anything special I can make you for breakfast?" he asked, as their lips parted.

"What no early morning saves?" She grinned knowing most mornings he would be out the door before she was out of bed and dressed for work. Not that it bothered her. She knew full well what she was getting into when she said 'I do'. And she hasn't regretted a single second.

"Nope," he answered giving her one of his sexy smiles, as he brushed a loose hair out of her face. "All is quiet."

"We live in Metropolis, it's never quiet."

"Which is why we should enjoy it while we can," he answered drawling her into an embrace.

"My thoughts exactly," exclaimed Lois pulling his head down closer to her planting the most passionate kiss onto his lips.

"What about breakfast?" he asked breathlessly.

"Shut up and kiss me, Smallville."

Clark just grinned shaking his head. "You know this will make us late, again." He leaned closer to her closing the gap. His eyes meeting with hers becoming lost in her gaze. With no cries for help, he couldn't resist the urge to touch her, to hold her, to kiss her. To love her.

"Then it's a good thing I know the quickest way to get us to work," she replied with a seductive smile forming on her lips, anticipating the taste of his lips on hers. "And we wont be a minute late."

"I'm starting to think you may only love me for my powers."

Lois wraps her arms around his broad shoulder pulling him back down onto her. "Well..." Their lips meet in a loving tender kiss that was only the beginning of things to come. "There is that, but I also love that you let me nag and boss you around at work. That you let me pick out your clothes….And your incredibly hot ass..."

"Lois!"

"...But most of all I love you for your big heart," she added. Lois pressed her lips against his before Clark had he chance to respond. ...Oh, how she loved to toy with him. Sometimes he made it all too easy. Which she had to wonder if he let her doing, as a playful reminder to how their relationship had been before they became lovers and finally husband and wife. She pulled away for some air. Her eyes connected with his. "Happy?" she asked a little breathlessly.

"Very."

"Good," she answered. "Now how'bout we have some fun before we go into work or before your alter-ego gets a page."

Clark didn't answer in words. He instead planted several kisses starting from her shoulder, to her neck, to her jaw and finally her lips. "I love you," he murmured before he kissed her again.

Her eyes sparkled full of love and compassion for the man staring down at her. The man she would do anything for. The man she would love for the rest of her life. The man who even when she thought it was best to end things never gave up on them. He knew they were meant for each other. And she was grateful that he was as stubborn if not more stubborn then she was to make her see. Otherwise she wouldn't have ...this.

"I love you too..."

-..-

"And you were worried," exclaimed Lois, as she dragged Clark into the Daily Planet heading towards the elevator.

"Well you were kind of cutting it close," remarked Clark, as he adjusted his glasses. "...And I wasn't expecting the surprise in the shower."

"Oh, you know you liked it," Lois teased , as she straightened his tie.

"Ah hum," coughed Jeff letting his presents be known to the couple who had been too preoccupied with each other to notice her had already been waiting in the elevator.

Both Clark and Lois were stunned to see Jeff, Lois former intern from a few years ago in the elevator with them. They were slightly embarrassed to say the least.

"And to think I thought you two would have run out of things to do. Guess there's hope for my girlfriend and I after all. Huh Kent?" He patted Clark on the shoulder before exiting out onto his floor. The elevator door shut and began to move up to the eighth floor.

"What girl in their right mind would go out with Jeff?" Lois announced dumbfounded. "I mean he's a nice guy and all, but he's kind of annoying and not in a good way."

"I seem to recall you saying he had nice lips," teased Clark.

"Oh, don't even go there Smallville," exclaimed Lois. If there was one thing about their relationship that they did not bring up it was when she kissed Jeff in the copy room right in front of Clark. "And the only reason I kissed him was because someone couldn't keep some tramps hot lips off of theirs." Her eyes narrowed in on Clark, letting him know exactly who the someone was.

"I thought you and Zatanna put that behind you." It had been close to ten years since Zatanna had used her magic to seduce him into kissing her. Thankfully he was able to break free from her spell and it didn't go anything beyond a kiss. And of course Lois made him pay for it having him wear that ridiculous costume at the ball.

"Just as long as she keeps her hands off my man and is wearing pants when you and your secret friends get together. I don't care how many spells she knows. She even looks at you the wrong way and I'll show her-"

"-Lois! Don't worry." Clark wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I only have eyes for you." He brush her cheek with his thumb caressing it softly.

"You'd better."

Clark gave her a quick kiss on the lips knowing that any moment the door would slide open and the work day would begin.

"What was that for?" she asked, as their lips parted. "Not that I minded."

"Just a preview of what you can accept after we have dinner."

"Speaking of previews why don't I give you one?"

Clark eyed the elevator door they were about two floors away from the eight floor. "Lois, the door is going to open any second."

"Not that kind of preview you big dork!" she exclaimed, as she playfully slugged him in the shoulder. "I have a better surprise for you, but you wont find out what it is until dinner."

"This wouldn't be your way of making sure I show up," asked Clark, knowing that sometimes his other duties have gotten in the way of more then a few dates.

"If it works," throwing him a quick flirtatious smile before she stepping out.

"There is nothing on the face of this earth that will keep me from this dinner date," answered Clark, as he followed her out. He'd rather be in a pool full of kryptonite then miss this. This was one date he didn't want to miss, He didn't care how fast he had to move. He was going to make it.

"You promise?" she asked giving him a side long look, as they entered their office.

"I promise."

-..-

Present day

Metropolis

Clock Tower

"Lois..." Chloe gently reached out to grip her cousin shoulder. "Lois." She said again when her cousin didn't respond. Chloe sighed heavily, ever since they arrived at the loft in The Clock Tower Lois had been standing in front of the windows staring out it blankly. She hadn't moved or said a word to anyone. Lois hadn't eaten or even attempt to try to sleep. Chloe was worried. "Lo-"

"He promised!" She turned to face Chloe tears wear streaming down her face. "He promised me," she cried this time hysterically. She could no longer contain it. She was falling to pieces. Her whole world had been shattered.

"I know," cried Chloe, as she pulled Lois into a hug. "I know. I know..." She wished she could fix this. She wished she could take the pain away, but she couldn't. It was beyond her control. There wasn't anything she could do. She never felt so helpless, so powerless.

This was supposed to be the happiest time of her cousins life. All she wanted was for Lois to be happy. She deserved to be happy. Lois had been through so much over the years with Clark from a rocky relationships with secrets, to learning and protecting his secret to what should have been their special day seven years ago. And finally having their special day.

She was so happy when Lois had called her six month ago that they were finally doing it. She had kept her fingers crossed the whole night until she got another call late in the night that they were officially married. She couldn't have been more happy for them.

Now to have this happen. It just wasn't fair. Didn't they deserve to be happy? Didn't they deserve to have their happy ending? Hadn't they given enough?

Chloe held Lois in her arms much like Lois had done when they had been kids and her mother had left. Lois had been the one to help her through now she was the one who needed someone to hold on to. She was her lifeline. The one person keeping her together.

"It's going to be okay Lois," Chloe hoped her soothing words would bring some comfort to her cousins broken heart. "We'll get through this, just like we always have." I hope...

"Mommy," whimpered a little five year old boy, as he entered the room dragging his cape wearing bear "Why is the man on the TV saying bad things about Uncle Clark?"

Chloe bit her lip. She hadn't told him. Didn't have the heart to. He had fallen asleep on the way here and when he had asked why they were getting on the private jet. She had told him they were going to visit his Aunt Lois.

"Why is everyone so sad?"

Chloe sighed heavily, as she shared a heartwrenching glance with Lois who couldn't even bring herself to look at him. Chloe wanted nothing more then to protect him from this. He was still too young to know about things like this, but she couldn't. No matter how much she wanted to. She couldn't lie to him. "Come here sweetie," she told him extending one of her arms out for him.

The boy wobbled over and Chloe picked him up. The boy knew something was very wrong. He had never seen his mother so sad. He'd never seen Lois so sad. She was always happy with a big smile on her face, but he could find no smile. "Is Uncle Clark sick?" he asked softly.

Chloe bit her lip. "No honey, he isn't sick," she replied with a sympathetic smile. "He's...he's..."

"He's sleeping," he responded before his mother could get the words out. "Yeah. He's sleeping and he'll wake up real soon. You'll see." He told them with a proud hopeful smile on his face. His eyes twinkling with such innocence.

Chloe gave her son a faint smile and kissed him on the cheek, as he leaned his head against hers. She let out a heavy sigh, as Lois rested her head on her shoulder, as her young nephew gently placed his hand on her shoulder letting him know he was there for her.

Chloe wasn't sure if her son had said that because he truly believed it or if because he just wasn't ready to hear the words from her, because the moment he did it would make it the all more real. She would no longer be able to shield him from the hard truth.

So far now she'll let him have his dream.

….If only that's all this was.

A dream.

-..-

Singapore

Chloe and Oliver's Condo

3:32 p.m.

Two cloaked figures one man, one female walk through the various rooms, as if they're searching for something. Or someone. The cloaked man comes across a family photo hanging on the wall. He uses his fist shattering the glass. He takes the pictures staring at the happy family he finger brushes against the young boys face.

"Is that him?" the woman asked.

"Yes. I recognize his eyes," he hissed folding the photo up and putting it inside his cloak.

"How can you be sure? You've never even seen him?"

"Don't you dare question me!" he shouted with a hint of annoyance, as he turned to her gripping her by the neck. "I could tear you apart if I wanted."

"If you really wanted to you would have done so already," she remarked sharply. "You still need me to keep the brat in line."

He shoved her against the wall causing a crack to form. "Don't think just because of that I wont do it. I've killed others for far less." He walked passed her over to the computer sitting on the desk.

"When do you think they'll be home, so we can get this over with and go back home?"

The cloaked man laughed pleasurably. "Oh they wont be coming home for a while, looks like were going to Metropolis."

"What's in Metropolis?" she asked.

He turned to her pulling off his hood. "An old friend I have to pay my respects to," grinned Zod. "And then the real fun begins!"

CRASH! What was that? Both Zod and the woman turn to see a self full of books fall to the ground. There standing before the clutter is a young man in his early twenties.

"You?" roared Zod/ "You followed us here! Who are you?" he demanded.

"What Darkseid didn't share that with the class?" taunted the young man with a smirk on his face. "Guess you're not as important as you think you are."

"Do you have any idea who I am boy!"

"Yeah. The dumb-ass who just became someones pawn. You wont win."

Zod laughed. "There'll be no one around to stop me."

"I wouldn't count on that!" Before Zod could get another word in the young man disappeared in a flash.

"Where'd he go?"

"It doesn't matter," answered Zod, as he headed towards the bedroom. "The next time we run into him. He's a dead man!" He ripped through the dresser and closet until he found something for them to wear. They needed to blend in. Once they had changed he turned to her.

"Get the boy!" he ordered her. "We're done here!"