Ignorance is bliss

A week passed since Isabel had spoken. She ate more and began to regain her lost health. She still wasn't the talkative type but would sometimes express her views on some League business. She still cried secretly sometimes at night when she missed her mother and when she had nightmares of the 'kills' she did. Isabel had never revealed what Luthor had done to her to anyone but her mother. Clark and Bruce didn't force her to tell either. They knew that Luthor had 'transformed' her in some way but didn't ask her. Isabel knew Bruce searched on the Batcomputer for nights to find out. She wondered whether they would still protect her when they found out that she was the ultimate weapon to kill them.

"Isabel, I'm home!" Clark shouted cheerfully as he rushed to meet his daughter. "Hi… dad." Bruce had instructed Isabel to call Clark 'dad' as he knew that if she didn't, Clark would moan about it all day long in the Batcave.{Clark had bothered Bruce for a whole night at the batcave complaining that Isabel would call Bruce "Uncle Bruce" but would call Clark "Clark"}

Clark screamed with delight, giving her daughter a rib-breaking hug. Isabel shifted uncomfortably in his chest, wishing that Clark wasn't such a doting parent. Clark would do anything Isabel wanted in a heartbeat, but Isabel wasn't used to Clark's 'burning passion'. Isabel mused that her father was what her mother said he would be – a bit clingy. Isabel glanced pleadingly at Bruce who was leaning against the wall and smirking slightly. Bruce took pity of Isabel and said, "Clark." Clark released his tight grip on Isabel and turned around. Isabel gave him a thanks-a-lot smile. Bruce returned a not-to-worry-you-owe-me-one stare.

Clark felt the unbreakable connection between Bruce and his daughter and felt a pang of jealousy. Clark knew that this bond was due to the similarities they share. Clark could never quite catch what the pair was discussing. The topics include computer science, politics, social studies and so much more that leave Clark puzzled.

Bruce hated to admit that he enjoyed Isabel's company. She was so bright and understanding; she was the perfect daughter. Sometimes he secretly wished that Isabel shared his blood.

Although Isabel had opened up more and more to them, Bruce still felt that she was holding something back. Isabel said "good night" to both of them and went upstairs to her room. Bruce wondered whether Isabel would ever tell them what Luthor did to her. Bruce and Clark had discussed about this for quite some time as Bruce was unable to recover files from Luthorcorp about Isabel and Clark was having trouble interrogating the officials at the underground lair. Yet they decided not to ask her directly.

Isabel sprang up from her bed, sweating profusely. She could still hear Luthor's cold voice saying, "Well done." She checked the clock. It was 10 pm. Her heart was racing. She needed someone who could bring her peace. Mother. She needed about 3 minutes for this super-speed trip to the cemetery. She predicted that Bruce would realize her absence in about 15 minutes. There should be enough time. She stuffed her pillows under the sheets, shaping them to look like her and opened her window. She knew she couldn't go out through the door as the Batcomputer will notify Bruce immediately through the sensors on the doors. There was only one security camera blocking her escape route. She 'ordered' it to stay put in another position until she was off the grounds. She climbed down the pipes slowly and sprinted across the yard out of the gate, sticking to the shadows. At this time, she was somewhat grateful for the intense training in the lair.

Clark went upstairs to check on his daughter. He found the door slowly and saw her sleeping in the bed. Satisfied, Clark went back to the Batcave. It was 10:05 pm. Clark stretched his arms and said, "Isabel is so cute. She is sound asleep already. Any results?"

Bruce grunted in reply.

Clark sighed, "I wish she could trust us enough to tell us."

Batman stopped typing on his computer and said, "I think it's not that she doesn't trust us.

Luthor must've made her do something that she was ashamed of."

"You don't think Luthor touc…"

"No, Luthor was more interested in creating his own weapon. I told you my assumption that Luthor inserted Brainiac into Isabel to make her a better soldier."

Clark stared at Isabel's picture on the screen and said wistfully, "She really is a strong girl. Able to survive under Luthor's control and overcome Lo…Lois's de…death."

Bruce suddenly stood up and faced Clark, "I think it is time to help Isabel overcome Luthor's control on her." The two superheroes went upstairs and opened the door. As Clark turned on the lights, they immediately ran. It was 10:15 p.m.

Isabel sat next to her mother's tombstone. She used x-rayed vision to see her mother beneath the earth. Tears fell down her cheeks. She missed her mother's hands which stroked her hair. She missed her mother's mouth which spoke words of comfort. She missed her mother's eyes which reflect her endless love for her. The Brainiac inside her was confused. Why do you cry for someone who is long gone? Isabel ignored it. Isabel cried so long that she lost track of time.

Superman and Batman saw Isabel crouching next to Lois's tombstone and dashed forwards. Both men were far from delighted. Superman dragged his daughter up on her feet and gave her a very Batman glare. "What were you thinking? Why didn't you notify us before leaving the house?" Superman shouted, losing his temper. Bruce, on the other hand, seemed more composed which made Isabel fear him more. Isabel didn't dare look at her father's burning eyes and stared determinedly at the "S" sign on Superman's chest.

"Cl…Dad, I needed to see Mom alone."

"Don't you trust me, your father? If you have any worries, I will always hear you out."

"It's not that, dad. It's…"

Bruce stepped forward. "You are bothered by something Luthor did to you. Why not tell us?" Isabel dug her nails into her palms. "We're listening." urged Bruce.

"Luthor trained me to be an elite assassin of the Justice League. He made me study your weaknesses and fighting styles." Isabel bit her lip nervously.

"There is something else bothering you." Bruce pointed out.

"Before I say this, can you promise me that you'll not change the way you look at me?"

Bruce gave a curt nod and Clark nodded fervently.

"Luthor made me 'kill' all of you in simulation stages." Isabel stared at the ground. The adults remained silent. Isabel knew she was going to be abandoned and probably killed to eliminate the risk. She was not going to escape from her fate. She stood still, waiting for the strike. She saw her father's hand inch slowly towards her head. She closed her eyes tightly, anticipating the blow. His hand landed gently on her head, stroking her hair.

Confused, Isabel looked up to see her father's comforting gaze and Bruce's small smile. "Aren't you going to annihilate me?" The two adults chuckled.

Back home, Isabel began to walk upstairs to her room but was stopped by Bruce. Isabel looked up at Bruce. "Uncle Bruce?" Isabel caught a glint in Bruce's eyes which meant nothing good. "Although your doting father forgave you for your secret trip to the cemetery, I am going to punish you for disobeying me." Isabel trembled at the word "punish" which used to mean extreme beating by Luthor. "Meet me at the hall at 6am sharp."