Chapter 2

Leaning up against the building as he bobbed his head up and down to the music. Mouthing the lyrics softly to himself as he gazed out over the open fields. In the distance he could make out a line of trees. He had only to blink before he could bring them into focus. Like a camera lens on zoom until he could see the small family of squirrels chattering in the trees. He wondered wryly if they were discussing how in the world they had lost last year's acorns. Chuckling at the thought he reached up to slide his headphones down to his neck.

Other than his music the day had been mostly quiet. If he listened hard enough he could make out the twittering of the birds who had made a nest in a small niche directly beneath the roof. He had a half mind to remove it, but when he had seen the eggs the birds had laid he found he did not have the heart to. When the eggs hatched and the chicks grew into adults to make nests of their own then he would take the bird's nest down. Until then, the teen thought silently, the small animals had nothing to fear from him.

Connor Graves closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Bumping his head against the pebbled wall behind him. He took a deep breath enjoying the fresh air. It had rained the night before which made the world seem so new to him. A soft breeze blew into his face lifting up his raven black locks. Inside he heard his guardian moving about in the kitchen. Connor frowned, wondering why he had been banished to wander outside for the rest of the day. He wouldn't have minded as much if he could have at least brought along Krypto. Yet his guardian insisted on keeping the dog inside too.

There's something going on here. I don't like it. Connor thought opening his eyes again. He had gone to do his chores having little else to do. He had fed the chickens, let the sheep out to pasture, fed the cows, milked the cows, and then taken a nap in the hayloft for an hour. When he woke up he found to his dismay he was completely covered in hay.

He's up to something. I just know it. He's been acting strange these past couple of days. Why won't he talk to me about it? Connor mused pushing away from the wall. He considered watering the small vegetable garden his mentor had started up. Then decided against it since the man in question took great pleasure in doing it himself. That was the thing with his servant. Bruce tended to be very particular about what he did.

"Connor, can you come here a minute? I need your help!" Bruce's voice called from the inside the house. Superboy sighed heavily running a hand through his hair as he headed towards the backdoor. His hearing had become sharper over the past eight months. Bruce had only to speak in a normal tone of voice for the young man to hear him.

"CONNOR!"

"Coming, Bruce!" Connor called wondering what all the fuss was about. He muttered to himself about impatient people as he opened the door. Kicking off his boots in the corner when he walked in. Bruce would no doubt fuss at him about it later, but he figured it could be forgiven this once.

When he walked into the kitchen Connor was greeted by a rich aroma. He blinked owlishly as seated at the table was Krypto. The white dog barking happily with his tongue lolling out. A ridiculous pointed party hat having been put on his head. Bruce stood near the table his hand on the back of chair. The blind man broke out into a grin when he heard the young man walk in.

"Happy Birthday, Connor." Bruce said. For a second the boy could only stare at the cake. A big number 2 candle had been put in the center and lit. The design was fairly simple resembling a giant Hershey cup.

Then a grin broke out on the teen's face. He laughed, his cheeks flushing at the surprise. Going over he grabbed Bruce in a hug. Pulling the smaller man off his feet and he crushed him in an embrace. Bruce didn't resist allowing himself to be coddled as he managed to wrap an arm around the teen's neck. Connor squeezed him tightly before releasing the man allowing him to catch his breath.

"Thanks, Bruce. You didn't…well, what's the candle for?" Connor said studying the cake. Bruce sighed patting Superboy on the back. Nodding to the cake as he pulled out a chair for the teen to sit down. The teen sat down reaching up to remove his headphones and Ipod to set them aside near his elbow.

"You blow it out and make a wish. They didn't teach you that?" Bruce asked in mild surprise. Connor snorted as he watched the flicker of the flame wondering why his mentor would believe such a thing. Then again, Bruce did a lot of strange things he had come to accept.

"It's not exactly included in Combat 101, Bruce. But for your sake I'll take your word for it." Connor answered. Leaning over his blew out the candle. Krypto began to bark wildly as Bruce chuckled leaning over to begin cutting the cake. Connor flushed at the dog's excitement as he was served a slice of cake first. Krypto was simply given plate of bacon for his own enjoyment which he happily ate on the floor as Bruce sat down to take his place. Finally serving himself a slice of the cake to eat.

"Why did you do this?" Connor asked after taking a bite of the cake. Chocolate and peanut butter icing? Delicious!

"I need to have a reason to celebrate your birthday? That's a bit coldhearted even for you, isn't it?" Bruce asked wryly. Connor snorted eating another forkful of cake. Within a few bites he was done and reached over to cut himself a bigger slice. Dumping it onto his plate as he sat back to eat more.

"No, I guess not. I mean it just seems kind of ridiculous. Why don't we celebrate your birthday? Or Krypto's? Won't he feel left out?" Connor asked with real concern in his voice. Bruce laughed softly reaching across the table to pat the young man's hand reassuringly.

"Every day is Krypto's birthday. Not to mention you sneaking him treats and the mountain of dog toys in the barn. Yes, I know they're there. You need to stop buying him so many. Just last week I found a dozen of them behind the couch." Bruce commented. Connor grunted in response to busy eating to really care at the moment. Already Krypto had finished his own food and now sat by his elbow. Whining every time Superboy lifted a forkful of food to his mouth. Looking down he scratched the dog behind the ears. Did Bruce really have to put a party hat on the poor dog?

"This entire time I had to stay outside because you were baking?" Connor asked. Having finished his second slice he was already working on his third. Bruce sighed pushing his plate aside as he got up. Mussing Connor's hair as he walked around the table to retrieve a small package on the counter.

"Well, not entirely. I also didn't want you to see this before I wrapped it. Here." Bruce said coming back over.

Wrapped in newspaper the box wasn't much bigger than Connor's lap. He blinked, wondering at getting a gift. He accepted it from Bruce and tore off the paper. Revealing a simple cardboard box he opened that was well. Inside he found an assortment of small items. Reaching in Connor pulled out a slim, black leather wallet. He blinked turning the item over in his hands.

"Um, thanks." He said unsure of what to with it. Bruce sighed reaching over and opening the wallet for Connor. Inside was a picture ID with the name "Connor Graves" across the top.

"I know it's not quite as exciting as you wanted it to be. I thought you could use it to put your money in rather than just shoving it into your pockets. There's more in there, too." Bruce insisted.

Setting aside the wallet Connor reached into the box again. He found a small picture frame with a picture of him, Bruce, and Krypto on the first week they had moved to their small farm. Bruce was standing, his hand on Superboy's shoulder who was kneeling beside Krypto. The teen's arm draped around the dog's neck as Krypto gave the camera a doggy smile. He smiled at the picture setting it on the table as he reached into the box again. This time drawing out small pamphlet with the picture of a building on the front.

"Thanks, Bruce. But, what's this for?" Connor asked turning the pamphlet over in his hands. Bruce reached out and touched the item. With a sigh he grabbed a chair and pulled it around so he could sit down beside the teen.

"It's the school you'll be attending starting this fall. You'll get to spend time with people your age. Biologically speaking of course, but I thought you might like that. You must get bored of staying here with me and Krypto all the time." Bruce explained calmly. He sensed the boy go rigid and frowned wondering why he wouldn't be pleased.

"Connor?"

"I'm not going." Superboy stated bluntly. He clenched his fist crushing the pamphlet in his hand. He threw it back in the box his mood soured by the news. Bruce blinked slowly his sightless eyes shifting as he reached out to catch the teen's arm.

"Connor, listen, it'll be good for you."

"No it won't. Why can't I stay here with you?" Superboy snapped. Krypto began to whine again sensing a fight about to break out. Bruce sighed attempting to soothe the teen by trying to hold his hand. This only served for the young man to pull away not wishing to be comforted.

"You are going to stay here with me. While you are, however, you will also be attending a normal school."

"Don't you like me being here?"

"Of course I do, Connor. It's just the fact you need to learn to interact with other people. To be a bit more sociable. I thought you might like the chance to live your own life a little bit without me hanging on your arm." Bruce said trying to sound cheerful. He sensed the teen staring at him for a long moment.

Reaching out Connor grabbed his wallet and the picture frame. Standing up he turned his back to his servant and went upstairs. Bruce sighed as he heard the door slam to Connor's bedroom. Krypto continued to whine beginning to paw at his master for attention. Reaching down the blind man assured the dog quietly. Gently removing the party hat from the animal's head to set aside on the table. He had run the idea by Mercy to socialize Superboy among ordinary people. She had been reluctant with the idea, but had agreed it was for the best.

"The boy needs a chance to choose his own path. I won't always be here." Bruce whispered to the canine. Already upstairs Connor had begun to turn his music up loud on the speakers Mercy had sent from Metropolis as a present for the teen. It wasn't unusual to hear rap music streaming from the windows on a quiet day.

"Perhaps I should have waited until after the party, hm?" Bruce asked the dog. Krypto barked in agreement beginning to wag his tail. Patting the happy hound on top of the head he began to move about the kitchen once again. Picking up the plates and setting them in the sink to be washed later.

It had been nearly a year now since his captivity in the Crystal Prison. Soon after the fight between Superboy and Superman, Bruce had decided he wanted to live quiet life. One of near seclusion if at all possible. As he slid the cover over the unfinished cake, which Connor no doubt would finish in the morning, he wondered over the strange events which had brought them together.

Mercy had taken over the Luthor Corporation soon after the headlines lit up with the defeat of Superman. When Luthor had been arrested for illegal scientific practices the former chauffeur pulled a few strings among the lawyers to insure the man stayed locked up. While also in the process insuring Connor was protected both by the law and a series of specific directions to hide him from Luthor.

There was no doubt in Bruce's mind he had made enemies with Luthor by taking away the teen. Mercy had told him even the Justice League had become irritated when they had found out their former team member had up and vanished into thin air. It pained the blind man when he thought of Dick Grayson. How his former student must be disappointed, but feel betrayed as well his mentor had fled. Considering the circumstances Bruce felt it was the best choice for all parties. Not only did he not want Connor to be dragged into being a hero against his will, but he wanted the boy to make his own decisions.

He deserves to live his own life. Powers or not, that is HIS choice to make. No one else's. Not even mine.

Bruce thought as went to open the backdoor. Krypto had begun barking and whining at Bruce's heels. It was about time for the hound to retrieve the sheep from the pasture anyway. He felt Krypto dash past him barking happily he was no longer stuck in the house. Smiling to himself at the animal's simple job, he retrieved his watering can. Filling it up near the hose before going over to where his plants were. Following the carefully laid path of stones Connor had set down for him so Bruce could easily track which way he was going without assistance.

He hummed to himself as he began to water his plants. Most of them were vegetables, but Bruce had decided to try his hand at flowers. While he couldn't see them, he could certainly recognize them by the different scents they gave off. Spring in the England countryside was one of the most beautiful seasons. The air was filled with the laughter of children, young couples talking excitedly of their new lives, and the birdsong filling every nook and cranny of their home. He particularly enjoyed the small birds in the morning he heard outside his window. Bruce knew they were there, but he could not begrudge them for making a home of their own on his house.

Upstairs in his bedroom Connor did not feel so at peace with the world. He brooded over the news Bruce had given him. Having pulled a pillow over his face as he listened to his music. Attempting to drown out the thoughts of going to school. It was the last thing he had ever expected to hear from his servant.

After half an hour Connor still could not let the matter sit. Getting up he threw the pillow across the room. It fell on the top of his large dresser. Knocking over the skull of a horse he had found in a field one day while taking a walk. There an assortment of various types of rock, figurines, and other small things which he had begun to collect. His room was half the size of the one he had had in the skyscraper, but in his opinion it was far more lively.

"BRUCE!" Connor yelled. He heard a muffled reply from outside and sighed. Opening his window he stuck his head out to stare at the ground below. Consisting of two stories their country house was considered big when compared to the houses the villagers had. Not to far away he could hear the chickens clucking for their daily feed.

"Can I talk to you?" Connor called from his window. In the garden he saw Bruce's head snap around at the sound of his voice. While the teen knew he had super hearing, he sometimes wondered if Bruce's wasn't better than his was. The man seemed to have developed almost a sixth sense when it came to such things. Able to determine where his student was even when Superboy entered the room as silently as he could.

"Of course. Why don't you talk to me while I finish this?" Bruce called back. He heard a rustle of clothing and sighed when he heard a thump. Indication Connor had, once again, jumped out his window.

"You need to stop doing that. Why can't you use the stairs?"

"Why use them when I can just jump out the window? It only takes a second." Connor argued. Bruce sighed shaking his head. They had discussed this a number of times and, for the most part, he had given in.

"I thought you would be happier about going to school. Not having to hang around taking care of an old man like me. Don't you get bored having to drive me down to the market with you to shop?" Bruce asked. He kept his tone light hoping to get the teen to laugh.

"I don't mind taking care of you. What'll happen to you while I'm at school?" Connor asked worried. Bruce laughed softly reaching out to pat the boy's neck. Connor flushed red at the tough, but didn't reject it.

"I'll be at home doing what I normally do. Connor, I'll be fine. I promise. If anything happens to me Krypto will be here. Besides, it's only for a couple of hours each day. Not to mention the number of breaks you get over the year alongside the weekends." Bruce explained. He heard the boy snort disbelieving him.

"You're way smarter than any teacher. I bet they won't teach me shit."

"Perhaps not, but you need to learn how to interact with others your biological age. How to blend in with normal people. Did you forget I'm human too?" Bruce asked him. He heard Connor take a sharp breath at his words. He knew the boy cared for him deeply.

"No, but…why? I just want to stay here with you." Connor said. He hated himself for sounds as if he were begging. Bruce blinked slowly seeming to gaze at the teen as he spoke.

"Just trust me, alright? Think, would I really make you do something that wasn't for the better in the long run? I'll still be here when you come home. You have my promise on that." Bruce said gently. He heard the teen huff at his words.

"Fine. Only because you asked though." Connor muttered irritated. He grunted when Bruce gave him a half hug. Reluctantly softening to return the embrace to his servant before going around to help him finish watering the plants.