On Watch

"I'm excited to see grandma!" Evan exclaimed from the back seat of Lana's SUV.

Lana looked at him in the rear view mirror and smiled, "I'm sure she'll be happy to see you too!"

Evan looked out the window and watched as the world passed him by, after several moments of silence he spoke up, "Momma?" The young boy asked

"Yes Evan?"

"You can move really fast right? Just as fast as dad?"

Lana quirked an eyebrow, "Mhmm that's right."

"Then why do we always drive to grandma's house? Couldn't you just run us there a lot faster?"

"I could Evan, but your dad and I can't just use our abilities whenever we want to. We have to be careful that we aren't seen by anyone."

"Then why did you guys show me?"

Lana smiled, "When you were born your dad and I made a promise to each other that when you got older we would tell you everything about what we can do. We didn't want our relationship with you to be based around secrets and lies," she paused. "You remember what we told you right? It's safe to talk about it around family but you can't tell anybody else."

"I know momma, you and daddy can count on me."

Lana smiled, "We know we can baby. We trust you."

"I'm glad," Evan replied as he played with his action figures. "How much longer?"

Lana chuckled, "We'll be there soon."


(Meanwhile at Martha's house.)

Clark settled into the leather armchair in his mother's living room. He looked into the flames gently flickering in the fire place. After a few moments Martha walked in with a glass in each hand, she walked over and handed him one before taking a seat in her own chair. "Thanks mom."

"Your welcome sweetheart, what time did Lana and Evan leave?" Martha inquired.

"A few hours ago, they should be here soon."

"Good, I can't wait to see them."

"That makes two of us," Clark let out a large sigh.

"Rough day son?" Martha asked softly.

"You could say that," Clark replied with stress in his voice.

"Clark Kent problems or Superman problems?"

"Sometimes I can't tell the two apart," he put his hand up to his forehead. "I feel like I'm split into three pieces, Clark on one side, superman on the other and then there's me, stuck in the middle. I feel like I'm never really one hundred percent either of them. I'm never one hundred percent me."

"Clark all three of those pieces make up who you are. I know how much it hurts you to keep your secret from the world, a secret like that would weigh on anyone's heart." Martha reached over and placed her hand on Clark's arm, "You just have to remember the people who really know and love you. Me, Lana, Evan, Chloe. You can rely on us to remind you of the wonderful person you are."

Clark took her hand and gently squeezed. "I know mom, I couldn't do this without all of you," he smiled.

A bright Light flashed through the window as a vehicle pulled into the long driveway. "Speaking of people who know and love you," Martha exclaimed as the two got up and walked to the door. Martha opened it and they walked out onto the porch as Lana's SUV came to a stop. The back driver side door flew open and Evan jumped out with a back pack slung over his shoulders.

"Grandma! Grandma!" The young boy shouted as he ran towards Martha, his back pack bounced up and down as he ran.

"Evan!" She shouted back and walked down the stairs to meet him, she crouched to reach his level and threw her arms out. Evan embraced her tightly, "Oh how's my big boy?"

"I'm good, I missed you," Evan replied.

"Oh I missed you too sweetheart, go say hi to your dad, I think he's missed you even more."

Evan ran up to his dad and hugged his waist, "Hi daddy."

Clark grinned, "Hey bud," he ruffled Evan's hair.

"Grandma says you really missed me today."

"Of course I did! Tons and tons!"

"Well I really missed you too!" The boy exclaimed and tightened his grip.

Clark chuckled, "Go on in and put your pack away, mom and I will be up soon to tuck you in."

"Ok," the boy replied and walked inside as Martha followed.

Clark watched the door shut, he turned around to see Lana opening her door. She looked over to him as she stepped out.

"Did you miss me too?" She whispered knowing Clark could hear her.

"I always do," he whispered back.

Lana smiled at him, she loved using their super hearing to communicate, It had become a lovable little quirk they shared. Lana turned and walked to the back of the jeep and opened the hatch, she was about to reach for Evan's suit case when she felt a rush of wind and Clark suddenly appeared beside her.

"Let me get that," he stated as he grabbed it from her.

"Fine," Lana released it and stepped back so he could close the hatch, "How was work today?" She asked as they walked towards the house.

"Depends on which job your asking about," Clark replied. " You know the planet's really been kicking my butt lately."

"You've been saying that a lot, but you have yet to tell me what's really going on, it might help to talk about it you know."

"Oh just everyday work problems," Clark replied hesitantly. "Bureaucratic nonsense and all that. Nothing I can't handle."

Lana didn't believe a word of it but she chose not to start an argument, at least not right now. She sighed heavily before Clark interrupted her thoughts.

"And while being Superman is a welcome break from that, it's not as enjoyable when I'm doing it alone." Clark smiled and softly nudged Lana's side.

"You're not alone," Lana replied. "You've got Chloe, Oliver and the league."

"You know what I mean," Clark retorted. "If I'm not with you I feel alone."

"Well then be happy," Lana smiled and wrapped her arm around him as they walked. "Tonight you don't have to," she looked up at Clark. "As long as you didn't forget my bag that is."

Clark threw his free arm over her shoulder and laughed. "Ok that was one time! I said I was sorry and ran straight back to get it."

"I know you did," Lana chuckled. "Ok lets get Evan settled in so we can leave, I'm ready to really stretch my legs," Lana held the door open for Clark and followed him inside.

Martha was walking down the stairs as they entered, she looked down at Clark. "He's already in his pajamas, just waiting for you to put him to bed." Clark smiled up at her and walked up the stairs as Martha walked down, "Lana so good to see you," Martha hugged her daughter in-law.

"Hi mom," Lana replied as she returned the embrace. "Good to see you too."

"Come in and have a seat," the elder woman requested. "Tell me a little bit about what's been going on this week, we've got a few minutes while Clark's upstairs."

"Not a lot really," Lana replied as she took a seat on the couch. "For me it's just been a quiet week at home with Evan. Clark has been pretty stressed out though, he's been having problems at work but he won't talk about it, every time I try to bring it up he shuts me down or changes the subject. Between that and superman duties I think he's getting a little overwhelmed, he's been away more than he's been home. I try to tell him that it's ok, that Evan and I understand, but I think he feels like he's letting us down."

"That's why nights like this are so important Lana," Martha affirmed as she sat down beside Lana. "The two of you going out and saving the world together means more to him than you could ever know. It reminds him that he doesn't have to hide himself from the people he cares about most and that he has your support. Those things are what keeps him grounded."

"I can't support him if he won't tell me what's going on though. I had hoped that once we got married his secretive side wouldn't be an issue anymore," Lana smiled and looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "Sometimes he still reminds me of that boy who broke my heart all those years ago because he thought he was protecting me."

"That's just it dear, he's a husband and a father now, he wants to be strong for the two of you, he wants you to know that you can count on him to protect you and provide for you." Martha tried to explain. " If he's hiding something from you it's only because he doesn't want you to see the crack in his armor. He's a lot like Jonathan in that way, stubborn to the core, especially when it comes to family. I wouldn't give it too much thought. You found a way to get through to him back then, and you'll find a way now. Give him a little time, he'll loosen up. Until then all you can do is love him, and I know how good you are at that." Martha gave Lana a reassuring smile.

Lana smiled back, "Thank you mom."

"Besides," Martha stated as she got up to tend to the fire. "If anyone could go through everything you two have and still come out the other side, they're destined to be together."

Clark walked down the stairs and into the living room.

"Hey you," Lana smiled as he walked to the back of the couch and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Well?" She tilted her head up to look at him.

"He's asleep, he made me read him that book three times, but he's finally out."

Lana chuckled, "Good," She reached up, grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down into a kiss. "Where's my bag?"

"In the bathroom waiting for you," Clark chuckled.

"Well then…" she shot out of the room and returned a second later in her suit, "Shall we?"

Clark grinned, "I guess so," he shot out of the room and returned in his own suit.

Martha looked at the pair and smiled, "Alright you two get out of here and go save the world," she chuckled.

"Thanks mom," Clark replied as he walked over and embraced her."

He pulled away and Lana took her turn, "We love you mom," she echoed as she wrapped her arms around Martha and squeezed gently.

"I love you both too. Keep each other safe."

The pair looked at each other and smiled, "We'll be back before sunrise, or if nothing else, Lana will." Clark stated with a small sigh.

Martha gave him a sympathetic smile, "I'll have breakfast ready and waiting for you both."

Clark perked up at that, a small smile stretched across his face, "Thank you," he mouthed as he reached for the doorknob.

Lana placed her hand on the small of clarks back and ran her fingers up and down his spine as they walked out onto the deck, "I'll race you flyboy," she joked and winked playfully.

"Oh you are so on!" Clark laughed, they both turned and gave Martha one last look before speeding off into the night.