Author's Notes: Wow, halfway done. O.O I must admit I'm a bit shocked and quite pleased. And many many thanks to Saavikam and Asrai for all the lovely feedback up to this point :-) You two are the reason that I remember to upload here, because sometimes falls to the wayside after I've posted in my writing LJ. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the kind words. Well, enough with my blather, on with the chapter :-)

046. Star

Like touching a star. But not the body, the flaming maelstrom in that place beyond place, not like flying through the burning layers and being immersed in the center of the storm, so condensed that existence seemed to pause inside. Similar, but not quite.

It was more like looking up at the sky, and seeing that idea of a star, the beacon of something better even when the darkness is total and the sun is a mere memory; like reaching out and holding that light, so fragile but cupped in eternity, in your hand.

And Kal was lit with hope.

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"Which one is it?"

Kal slid his arm down, cradling Richard's and guiding it up to show him.

"Right there," he murmured in Richard's ear. "That's it."

"It still shines." Richard curled his arm around his chest, tilting his head and kept his eyes on it, memorizing its location.

"It will for a long time."

He kissed Kal's fingers, acknowledging the loss. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

"I'm glad that I… know." Kal kissed the top of his head and he almost missed it being whispered into his hair, like a verbal smile. "And… it brought me here."

047. Heart

In the back of the taxi, he practiced the time-honored motions—adjusting his glasses, straightening his tie, fumbling with a pencil—because, though he was properly dressed, his body was hesitant to remember. Resisting as if it knew something he didn't.

By the time he walked into the building he was driven to the point of distraction and the act was no longer forced; he nearly knocked Jimmy over trying to find him.

And when he saw Lois, his body resisted that, too, sending him hurtling down to the floor in a spectacular heap.

Just like in the old days.

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There were times he hated his point of perfect observation, the watchtower of the Daily Planet.

This was one of them.

Kal had risen by the time she got there, but then she started brushing off his jacket, saying something that looked like "welcome back." He didn't know what was worse—seeing Kal fumble so painfully through their interaction or her, oblivious to the effect she was having.

But what he hated the most was the little voice in the back of his mind when she reached out, turning down and smoothing Kal's collar, smiling.

You already had your chance.

048. Diamond

The shots came so unexpectedly that, caught in a split second's hesitation, one of the bullets caught him in the chest, bouncing off harmlessly when it encountered the milliskin of his gray suit.

He walked toward the stunned would-be cook immediately in front of him and took his gun.

"Return the jewels and apologize." The thread of steel in his tone came forth unbidden.

"Who are you?" The man dropped the black bag, backing away, fearful.

Kal had no answer for that, so he left, back to work, to what was supposed to be his real job—his real life.

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He was about to get out of the chair when Perry, jotting down notes, said very casually, "So she's still wearing it."

He froze mid-air, the article he'd just gotten back wrinkling in his fist. "You noticed."

"Hard not to." Perry put down the pen, steepling his fingers and leveling a hard gaze at him. "I think it's about time you two talked."

"But—"

"Tell it to her, not me." He raised a dismissive hand and went back to his papers. Richard left, alternately fuming and flushing.

And damn it all to hell if Perry wasn't right, as always.

049. Club

"—well, I heard that he moved out and she's in denial about the whole thing—"

"—I bet he cheated—"

"—how could she let that one go? I'd be happy to take him off her hands—"

"—she still has the ring, maybe they'll reconcile?—"

"—he doesn't look all that broken up about it if you ask me—"

"—and who would ask you? Besides, you're not enough of a ball-buster—"

Jumping up as soon as the clock chimed noon, Kal had never been more relieved to escape to the rooftop.

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"Let me guess," he said, seeing the stricken expression on Kal's face. "The water cooler club strikes again?"

"How…?"

"They have that effect on people. Plus, I heard on the grapevine that Lois and I are the flavor of the week. I'm guessing it wasn't just innocent speculation, either."

Kal looked down like he was the guilty party. "I'm afraid not."

"Don't mind them. Come Monday the mill will turn."

"I'll try." But Kal's hand was rigid in his, and Richard resolved that, come hell or high water, he would clear the air.

Because they all deserved better than this.

050. Spade

They worked side by side, shaping the foundation, metal persuading the earth into the base of what would be a home. He enjoyed the quiet, the blanket of silence that let the sounds of the ocean soothe and the winds sigh uninterrupted, so rare in Metropolis but in abundance out here at latitude 29, longitude 175.

"You know that you're no better than me," Luthor said, wiping his brow, but it lacked the usual sting.

Kal pushed the shovel into the dirt, and propping his foot up on the metal, he looked at the setting sun, wide open.

"I know."

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"Let's just call it what it is, Richard." Her lips thinned. "You want a divorce."

"But we weren't—"

"That's not the point!" She slammed down her planner on the table between them. "That's just a formality."

He threw his hands up. "You're right. That is what I want."

She deflated. There was no defense against the truth.

He proceeded gently, watching closely for a reaction. "I'd like to come by the house soon for some things, if that's okay…"

She nodded. "I'll help."

"Only if that's what you want."

The woman he still loved tried to smile. "It is."