"So six months at the least," Superman asked Batman as they stood and watch Conner play with the team. He took Batman's silence as conformation "and ten at the most." Again he was met with silence from the dark knight. Superman let out a sigh. He wasn't quite sure how to take the news Batman had just given him. From the countless test he had preformed the dark knight had finally able to determine how long it would be until the effects of the laser wore off. Conner would remain a three year old from anywhere from six to ten months.
On one hand he was happy to get to spend so much time with him at this age. It would give him the chance to be the father Conner deserved. It would also give Conner the chance to have a childhood that had been stolen from him. As he watched Conner he began to wonder what it would be like if the effects didn't wear off, and Conner had to grow up like I normal boy. Well as normal as can be for a kryptonian at least.
On the other hand the longer Conner remained like this the more danger he would be in. As much as he would love the chance to raise Conner as his son, he would rather have Conner return to his normal sixteen year old self if it meant he would be safer. In the past three weeks Superman had grown rather attached to the toddler, and would do anything to keep him safe. He would bend heaven and earth to keep his son safe from harm. Now more than ever after learning The Light was looking for him. They had somehow found out about Conner being turned into a child and had since put a bounty out for his capture. At least for the time being they would be able to spend a little time like this.
"You're worried," Batman stated breaking the silence between them.
"You're not," Superman said turning the question back at him "aside from the fact that the longer he stays this way risks destabilizing his molecular structure and endangering his life. He might as well have a target painted on his back." Superman hate saying the those words. He hated admitting the fact every moment Conner was like this he was endanger of being taken from him by The Light.
"Don't worry we will keep him safe," for once Superman could hear a since of sincerity coming from the dark knight "besides we have confirmed that the only thing the light knows is he has been turned into a child. What they don't know is what age. More importantly what they don't know is his civilian ID." Superman listened to Batman's words for what seemed like the hundredth time. Though he was right it didn't change the fact that anything could happen in between now and the coming months. He had learn a long time ago that anything could happen given enough time.
It was late evening as Lex Luthor stood looking out over the Metropolis's city scape. He heard his office door open and close quietly.
"Is it done," the tyrant asked without turning to see who had entered.
"Yes, ask requested Superboy was the one hit with the de-aging beam, and the word was slipped to the Justice League of a bounty on him in child form." At this Luthor turned to see a man dressed in a black suit holding a file "and the scientist have finished their report on the effect the beam will have on Superboy in the long term."
"And," Luthor demand.
"And as originally predicted if nothing is done to stabilize him with in the next four to five months. He will suffer from a complete destabilization of his molecular structure. At which point will cause his body to shut down completely resulting in death." As the man finished speaking a small smile spread across Luthor's face. His plan was falling into place. No matter what the out come of the up coming months superboy would either end up death or out of play form very long time. In the mean time the league was distracted by the rumor of the bounty on the boy. Every one associated with The Light was instructed to appear at the very least actively searching for the boy. They would keep there attention off of Superboy as long as possible. The longer they were kept in the dark about their true intentions the better chances his plan would result in the death of Superboy.
The doorbell rang and Clark rushed to answer the door. He opened it to see Dick and Wally.
"We're here," Wally said happily as they were motion in through the door.
"So where's Conner," Dick asked once the door was closed.
"Dickie, Wabbie," Conner said as he ran to greet his friends. It had taken a little time but they had finally gotten through to Conner how to address everyone depending if they were in costume or not.
"Hey there buddy," Dick said as the toddler grabbed him by the legs "are you ready to have some fun," he asked eyeing Wally with an mischievous grin. Clark didn't fail to notice the mischievous looks on the two older boys faces. It was at the moment he notice the duffle bag by Wally's feet.
"Now you remember the rules," Clark ask having absolutely no idea what the boys were planning on doing once he was gone "no sugar before bed. Make sure he brushes his teeth and is in bed by ten," After the second time the two had babysat for Conner Clark had reluctantly changes some of his rule. He knew so long as they didn't give him too much sugar Conner would be out by ten "I should be home around eleven-thirty..."
"Don't worry Clark," Dick said remembering the new rules from the last time he had watch Conner. Clark look down at his son with a smile. It was clear that Conner couldn't wait for him to leave so that he could play with the older boys.
"Alright then I'll see you when I get home," he saids as he bends down to give his son a hug.
"Bye, bye daddy," Conner says returning the hug. Clark holds on to him for a moment longer before breaking off. He says a quick a good bye to the boys before giving a warning glare for them to not doing anything too crazy. With that he left leaving his son in the care of the two teenage boys.
Once Clark had left Wally looks at Dick who then looks down at the toddler.
"Hey how about some finger painting," Dick asked watching the boys face light up.
"Yay," Conner shouted.
"Something tells me finger painting was not the best idea," Dick saids as he looked at the now brightly color toddler. Who had manage to not only get paint all over himself but the teens, the kitchen table, the walls, and the ceiling. He looked down at his watch and saw it was now just past ten-thirty. They were suppose to have had Conner in bed over thirty minutes ago.
"You think," Wally said noting the time as well.
"Okay Conner its time to stop painting and get cleaned up for bed," Dick said walking over to the painting toddler.
"No," Conner said as he continued to paint.
"Conner it is already passed your bedtime. Your dad won't be happy if your still up when he gets home." Dick tried again this time Conner stopped painting to look up at him.
"Bu I not sweepy," Conner said not happy about the idea of putting the paints away.
"I know buddy, but for now lets go get you cleaned up in the mean time." He was kicking himself now for allowing Wally to let have both the chocolate milk and candy bar after dinner. The frown that had replaced Conner's simile remained as he allowed Dick to pick him up and care him to the bathroom. Leaving Wally to clean up the evidence of the night's activities.
Reaching the bathroom Dick set Conner down before turning to run the water and adding some bubble bath to the water as the tub slowly filled to the right amount. Dick helped Conner out of his paint covered cloths before setting him in bubble cover water.
"Ducky," Conner said reach in the direction of a basket. Come to find it was filled with bath toys. With a slight smile Dick add a few of the toys to the bath water which for the time being was enough to occupy the toddler enough to allow Dick to wash the paint off him as best he could. As the toddler played with his toys he seemed to make a game of splashing as much water as he could at Dick. At one point he had to stop giving Conner his bath to allow the tub to fill again.
When the bath was finally over not only had Dick succeed in get the paint off of the child but Conner had managed to get most of the paint of Dick as well leaving him soaked. Dick dried Conner off quickly when he saw a yawn escape from him. He smiled at the very least they would be able to get Conner to bed before Clark got home. Knowing full well how made he would be to come home and find the toddler still awake. The mess was bad enough but that at least was slightly expected. After changing Conner into some Pjs before carrying him to his room. As he laid him down and tucked him in it was apparent Conner was starting to nodded off. He smiled as turned on the night light and turned out the light before turning to go help Wally clean up the mess.
Instead of helping with the kitchen which Wally opted to clean up the bathroom that was now also sporting a new array of colors. Dick was starting to mop of the water when Wally walks up behind behind him.
"Hey Dick I thought you said this paint was washable," Wally asked.
"It is," Dick answered as he continued to mop up the water.
"Then why is it not coming off the wall," Wally question with a hint of panic in his voice. At that Dick look up at Wally to see a rather nervous looking speedster.
"Here," Dick said handing the towel he was using to Wally.
"Where are you going," Wally asked taking the towel.
"I'm going to call Alfred, he'll know how to get the walls clean," with that he turned and left and head to kitchen.
Clark was late getting home. He walked in to find both Dick and Wally asleep on the couch. He also notice that they were wearing different cloths than when he had left. He raised an eyebrow as he walked passed them to check on Conner. He found his son fast asleep. He smiled at least they had done one thing right.
He left to wake Dick and Wally. As he returned to the living room he notice the stack of childish finger painting. He reach down and gathered them in his hands as he looked through them. He smile as he looked throw them. He set them back down before leaning over to wake up the sleeping teens.
"Hey you two its time to wake up," As gently shook them Dick eyes slowly opened.
"I'm up," Dick said he as sat up realizing he had fallen asleep "hey Wally wake up time to go." Dick said shacking his friend awake.
"Five more minutes," Wally mumbled.
"WALLY!" Dick shouted officially waking the speedster.
"I'm up," the startled speedster exclaimed as he jump to his feet. It took him a moment to realize where he was.
Clark rolled his eyes as he walked into the kitchen for a drink.
"So how did Conner behave," Clark asked over his shoulder. Dick and Wally gave each other a look not sure if they should mention the finger paint.
"Good, we kept him busy so he didn't really give us that much trouble." Dick finally answered deciding that for the moment it would be best to leave out the part of the finger paint. They had cleaned up the mess with time to spare.
"Thats good, what did you guys do while I was away," Clark knew they were trying to hide something from him. After all you don't spend nights fighting crime with the Batman and not learn a few things about reading people. That and the fact he noticed his kitchen was strangely cleaner than when he left. He knew that what ever they had done while he was a way had created a mess.
"Umm...painted," Wally said shyly.
"Is that all," Clark asked trying to sound as oblivious as possible. He could see the boys were doing their best to avoid telling him and thing about the nights events. It was becoming more and more obvious that their plans didn't goes was well as they intended. The teenage boy nodded starting to believe that Clark would let the matter drop with out any further questions.
"Yep," both boys said in unison. At this Clark just gave a smile.
"How big of a mess did he make," Clark continued to smile as he watched the both boys doing there best to think of a way to down play it.
"Well it really wasn't that big..." Wally started before being cut off by Dick.
"Give it up Wally he knows," Dick said letting out a heavy sigh "he got paint everywhere." Clark laughed at the though of what the kitchen had looked like before they had cleaned it.
Authors note:
Okay so this chapter has been my favorite one to write so far because it reminded me of a time I volunteered a to help run a day care at day camp. Just for the record toddlers and finger paint don't mix well. It wasn't as big of a mess but then again we were outside so it really didn't matter. Anyway I have sort of giving away what the end is going to be. So what I wanna know is should I do a little more with Superboy and Superman bonding or should get to the more of the drama that will come from Luthor? If you want more Superboy and Superman bonding send me some ideas of what you would like to see. Please review and let me know what you think.