06/25/08
Guilt coursing through my veins... THE PAIN! -falls over- I am SO sorry! I accidently confused some people's and Da names so RabidFangirl is not acutally XxmostlyhumanxX. But I'm still pretty sure it had been XxmostlyhumanxX's birthday... I think... XxmostlyhumanxX is Lizz right? I'm so confused. SO MANY NAMES! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!
Argh, now my head hurts...
Thanks again to FunkyFish1991 for beta reading for me again.
This is also for flarey phoenix, I hope things start to look up soon.
Chapter 13
Clark woke up in the middle of the night feeling really thirsty. Not bothering to put on his glasses, he rolled out of the bed, floated to his feet and headed towards the kitchen for something to drink. Having to walk through the lounge to get to the kitchen, he was surprised to see a light coming from it.
Sitting in his floating chair was Brainy, facing Computo's mainframe typing away at the computer.
It was definitely a moment for déjà vu for Clark. There had been numerous occasions, since he come to the 31st century, that he had woken up in the middle of the night needing a drink only to find Brainy working on something at Computo's mainframe. He would go, get his drink and then sit beside Brainy, often talking for hours as Brainy worked and they both went to bed only an hour or two before breakfast.
But this wasn't a normal circumstance. Brainy couldn't be working on anything… and he was only three years old. He needed his sleep.
Determined to put the child back to bed, Clark made his way towards the computer.
Hearing his steps, Brainy looked up and smiled at the older boy.
"Hi Superman!"
Pausing, Clark noticed something; Brainy's eyes were red and swollen.
As Brainy continued to stare at him, attired in the purple footsie pajamas Luornu had bought him with Fuzzy sitting upright in the chair next to him, Clark realized that he had responded to Brainy's greeting yet.
"Hey Brainy, what are you doing out here so late?"
"I always come out here when I can't sleep," said Brainy.
"Always? How often is that?" asked Clark.
"Frequently," Brainy replied nonchalantly.
Clark frowned, "Bad dreams?"
For a moment Brainy continued to stare up at Clark, still smiling as if he hadn't said anything. After that moment though, the smile faded and his eyes darkened. He looked a like his older self after someone had teased him for his intelligence. Without saying a word he turned back to Computo and began to type again.
Resisting the urge to ram his head through a wall, Clark smiled softly and patted Brainy's hair.
"What are you working on?"
Tilting his head slightly, so not to remove Clark's hand from on top of his head, Brainy looked up at the older boy much like he did when he looked at Cosmic Boy after the former athlete had apologized for him. Unlike that instance, Brainy smiled once he was done analyzing Clark's expression.
"I'm playing chess with Computo."
Blinking, Clark bent down to see the small part of Computo's screen that was lighted up with something other then the glow of the computer's mainframe.
There was indeed a game of chess on the screen, with just as many missing black pieces as there were white.
"Do you like playing chess with Computo?" Clark asked, smiling.
Brainy nodded and said, "Yeah, Computo is real nice."
This surprised Clark, for he had never noticed any sort of personality from the computer. Was Brainy just imagining a kindness from the machine?
Suggesting for Clark to lean in, Brainy lowered his voice and said, "I think he lets me win."
"It is not in my capabilities to do such an act," replied the voice of Computo.
"Uh-huh," said Brainy, unconvinced.
Not sure what to think of it, Clark turned to Brainy.
"I'm getting something to drink, would you like something?"
Eyes widening, Brainy looked at Clark with the surprise and confusion- with a hint of embarrassment- that he always got when someone offered him something. He quickly shook his head.
"Are you sure? I was going to make some really good warm milk with honey in it," smiled Clark, smacking his lips afterwards for affect.
Frowning slightly, Brainy tilting his head from one side to the other. After doing this a few times he looked up and nodded.
"Okay dokie then," Clark lifted Brainy, who quickly grabbed Fuzzy, from the chair, tucking the child securely in his arms. "Let's go to the kitchen."
Nodding again, Brainy turned to the main frame and waved.
"See you later Computo."
"Good night, Brainiac Five," Computo replied, ending the chess game.
Clark stared a moment; he couldn't recall Computo ever saying anything like a greeting or farewell before. Then again, he couldn't recall Computo ever saying anything when he hadn't been asked a question of some kind. He tried to shake off his confusion as they made their way to the kitchen.
"Superman," called Brainy, waiting until he had Clark's attention again before continuing, "why are you going to put bee vomit in the milk?"
"Bee vomit?" Clark flinched.
"Honey is made when-" began Brainy but stopped when Clark made a face.
"I know how it's made, Brainy, but people don't really like to think of it as bee vomit," pointed out Clark.
"Why?" Brainy gazed up in wonder.
"Because it grosses them out," said Clark.
"Then why do they eat it?" frowned Brainy.
"Because it tastes good," said Clark.
"Then why does how it's make gross them out?" Brainy's frown deepened.
Clark began to say something but then stopped himself. He remembered when he used to ask nothing but 'why' until he got an answer that satisfied him, or until Pa threatened to make him sit in the corner. He quickly scanned his brain for a good answer.
"Because… people don't always make sense."
"That's true," Brainy leaned against Clark's shoulder, wondering why the older boy suddenly looked relieved.
When they got to the kitchen Clark set Brainy in his chair and headed to the refrigerator for the milk. He was surprised when he turned around and saw Brainy standing there.
"Can I help?" peered up Brainy curiously.
Thinking for a moment, Clark smiled and nodded. He got out a big plastic spoon and handed it to the child.
"You can be the stirrer."
This made Brainy smile and he continued to follow Clark around the kitchen as he gathered up the rest of what he needed and set everything up.
Lifting Brainy up again, Clark held Brainy by having him sit on one arm and wrap the other around his middle. He instructed the child softly as they simmered their drink together.
"Don't touch the sides of the pot. Be careful, you don't want it to splash. You're doing a very good job."
When it was ready, Clark put Brainy down and poured out their drinks. He set them on the table and sat down, surprised when Brainy clambered onto his lap. It didn't bother him, but it was the first time the small Coluan did something like that without hesitation. He gently patted the boy's hair and smiled at him.
As their drinks disappeared, Brainy got sleepier and sleepier, soon snuggling against Clark's side as he cuddled Fuzzy and closed his eyes.
Thinking he was asleep, Clark absently stroked Brainy's hair as he finished the rest of both of their milk.
"Superman?" a drossy voice mumbled.
"Hmm?" asked Clark softly, not ceasing the caress of Brainy's hair.
"Are you really Clark Kent; the original Superman?" asked Brainy, not opening his eyes or moving from his position against the older boy.
The question was out of the blue, but it also awoke Clark's curiosity about Brainy's reaction to his name from earlier that day.
"Yes."
"So you traveled here from your own time." It really wasn't a question but Clark confirmed it anyway.
"And you can't be Superman in your own time yet; you're too young," came next, which Clark rather considered to be on ironic statement on Brainy's part.
Half releasing his old on Fuzzy, Brainy reached out and held onto Clark's nightshirt, not even opening his eyes.
"Don't ever go back to your own time."
With the firmness of Brainy's voice it sounded like a command.
Eyes widening, Clark looked down at the young Coluan.
"Why not?"
Brainy didn't answer.
This time Brainy really had fallen asleep.
Feeling more confused then before, Clark scooped the child up and cradled him gently in his arms as he put their cups into the sink and took Brainy back to his room and tucked him into bed.
--
That following morning at breakfast, everyone was back in their Legion uniforms with the exception of Brainy, who Triplicate Girl couldn't resist putting in another outfit.
This time he was dressed in jean overalls and a red t-shirt.
"He'd look adorable in a sailor outfit," giggled Dream Girl.
"Don't you dare!" exclaimed Lightning Lad, waving his fork at her and paling at all the girl's giggles.
"Brainy really does need more clothes though, I only got one other shirt and pants for him," pouted Triplicate Girl.
"No sailor outfits," said Lightning Lad with a firmness he used as leader.
"What's the other shirt?" asked Vi, ignoring him.
Triplicate Girl blushed and mumbled.
"Couldn't quite hear that," teased Phantom Girl.
Wringing her fingers, Triplicate Girl said, "A Superman T-shirt."
Superman stared and dropped his fork right before it reached his mouth.
Phantom Girl erupted in full out laughter, banging the table with her fists and howling, as Bouncing Boy fell out of his chair laughing convulsively. Vi giggle snorted wildly and Dream Girl tried to stop herself from reacting by covering her mouth tightly with her hand, but her body shook with the effort.
Brainy blinked slowly at Superman.
"Is that bad?"
"That's the greatest thing ever," cheered Phantom Girl, waving her arms in the air.
"Then why does Superman look… broken?" asked Brainy.
"Because they broke his brain," grumbled Lightning Lad.
"Don't tell him things like that; he'll take you seriously," said Colossal Boy, noticing Brainy's horrified expression.
"My brain isn't broken," Superman softly told the child, picking up his fork with a bit of an embarrassed blush on his cheeks.
"A Legion shirt would be better," said Cosmic Boy, daring to speak for the first time around the girls since Saturn Girl had banished him to 'ten feet away at all times'.
The table became silent as the rest of the group looked at each other.
"They didn't have any," Triplicate Girl finally said.
"It should be easy enough to make one," theorized Timber Wolf.
"That's a good house husband," grinned Phantom Girl, patting his head.
Timber Wolf frowned but didn't say anything.
"I wanna take Brainy shopping," Vi piped up.
"For what?" asked Bouncing Boy. "We have everything we need for him."
"Maybe, but what about some more clothes or toys? All he seemed to have is his teddy bear," commented Vi.
"I like Fuzzy!" exclaimed Brainy, clutching the bear and tearing up as if he expected her to take it away.
"Getting more toys doesn't mean loosing Fuzzy," Saturn Girl assured him, feeling the boy's panic and wiping away the developing tears.
"I'm fine with Fuzzy," said Brainy firmly.
"Then is there something you would like to do?" asked Dream Girl.
Looking up at her, Brainy immediately looked away and chewed on his lower lip.
"It's alright if you wanna do something, Brainy," assured Saturn Girl.
"C-can we go to the park again?" stuttered Brainy, blushing softly.
This surprised the other Legionnaires. They thought, with the way Brainy had wanted to leave the other day, that he would never want to return to the park and, if he had wanted to go somewhere, it would be back to the zoo.
"Abi said she'd come back," commented Brainy, playing with Fuzzy's ear.
Now Saturn Girl smiled and asked, "Did you like playing with Abi?"
Brainy nodded and smiled.
"Uh-huh. Abi, Robby, Gred and Feorge were really nice and told funny stories."
"What kind of funny stories?" asked Saturn Girl.
As Brainy began to talk about the stories of pirates, wizards and socks lost in the dryer, the alarm went off.
Bouncing Boy rushed out of his seat and bounced out of the room.
"What's going on?" asked Brainy.
"Somebody needs our help," explained Saturn Girl, standing.
For a moment Brainy was perfectly still, he watched as they all stood and began to walk towards the door. Dropping Fuzzy he jumped from his seat and ran to Saturn Girl, grabbing hold of her leg.
"Don't go! Don't go! Please don't go!"
Freezing in their tracks, the Legionnaires still in the room turned to look at the little Coluan, who was shaking with an effort not to cry.
Turning around, Saturn Girl scooped Brainy into her arms.
"It's alright Brainy. Everything will be fine and we'll all come back-"
"Hurt," whined Brainy, holding onto her as tightly as he could without causing her pain. "You'll come back hurt again."
"Brainy, not all missions are like that," Saturn Girl tried to reassure him.
"Yeah, it might be as simple as getting a cat out of a tree," Lightning Lad walked over, trying to give the child a smile though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Then take me with you," Brainy, imploringly looked up at Lightning Lad.
"We can't do that, Brainy, you're too young," Lightning Lad attempted to reach out and wipe away the welling up tears, but the child turned as face away.
"Then don't go, please," begged Brainy, no longer trying to hold back to the tears.
"Brainy-" began Saturn Girl, but she trailed off.
Words failed her.
Bouncing Boy came back into the room quickly saying, "There's stuff happening all over the place, we're going to have to split up.
'Dream Girl, Phantom Girl and Vi, you need to go to Metropolis 1st Intergalactic Bank, there's a armed robbery in progress there.
'Timber Wolf, Cosmic Boy and Triplicate Girl, I'm going to need you to go to the zoo. Somehow all the animals are getting loose.
'Superman, Colossal Boy and Saturn Girl go to the park. Comet and Cupid are tarring it apart and some kids are trapped there with them.
'Lightning Lad and I will go to the Mega Store, there's a armed robbery going on there too.
'Brainy-" His eyes widened when he looked at Brainy, smacking his forehead, "oh cheeseburgers… Someone needs to stay with Brainy!"
"I wanna go with Mommy," said Brainy.
"You're staying here," said Bouncing Boy, scanning the room. "I need everyone to go where they're going! Who can stay behind?"
Triplicate Girl divided herself, Orange and Purple staying together while White went over to Saturn Girl to take Brainy.
"No," shouted Brainy, holding onto Saturn Girl tighter, even onto her hair now.
"Brainy, let go," said Saturn Girl with a firmness she had never used on him before, her face matching her serious tone.
Surprised, Brainy looked up at her and, seeing none of her usual warmth, released his hold on her and let himself to passed over to White Triplicate Girl. The moment the door closed behind them he curled into himself, refusing to hold onto White Triplicate Girl, and sobbed worse then he ever had before.