Chapter 14

Sons and Daughters

Space

Dreams were not something Clark experienced often in his life. There had been a few reoccurring nightmares when he was a teenager, but on the whole they were few and far between. This particular evening was different. He tossed and turned as images flash randomly through his mind. Perhaps it was from the extreme physical exhaustion or unknown factors, but the images were strikingly vivid. He saw himself on the farm in Smallville. The winter wheat shimmered in the sunlight. Clark could almost feel the stalks against his fingers as he moved through the field. Heading towards the house, he could have sworn he heard giggling. As he quickly turned towards the sound, Clark thought he saw Alicia Baker, but that wasn't possible. It was just a glimpse, almost like a phantom to him. He scanned all around, but there was no sign of her. It must have been the wind, Clark said to himself. The clear tone of the dinner bell rang from the direction of the house. A smile came to his face as he thought of Ma ringing it to call him and Pa in for supper. He started running along the rows, as he'd done countless times. Clark was on the porch in a matter of moments. He opened the door and stepped inside, calling out to Pa and Ma.

The house was silent, a layer of dust over everything. Sunday dinner was spread out on the kitchen table, but had been left to waste. Sadness seemed to grip him, as there was a truth he didn't want to face. Clark raced through every room, but there were no signs of life. The creak of the back door caught his ear and he rushed towards it.

Stepping outside on the porch, he found the backyard had transformed into a graveyard. The tombstones of Martha and Jonathan Kent were right in front of them.

"They're gone, Smallville, but then you already knew that," a voice said. Clark turned to see Lois leaning against one of the porch posts.

"Lois?"

"Still sharp as a tack, I see, Kent," she sarcastically replied.

"What-What are you doing here?'

"It's your dream, remember? Maybe I'm your conscious, or represent some unresolved issues, who knows? I must have made a big impression on you, Smallville. I guess I can't complain, at least I have my clothes on."

"Lois, I would never," Clark stammered, blushing at the thought.

"Right!" Lois laughed. "Nobody's that big a hayseed, Clark. I'll just bet you imagined me in some pretty wild fantasies. By the red in your cheeks, I'll take that as a yes. I always knew it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for."

"Is there a point to this, Lois," Clark said, wanting to end this line of discussion.

"Yes," Lois said. She stepped down off the porch, but stopped and turned back to face Clark. "I have to say, Smallville, I'm not really pleased with the way I come off in your dream. Do you really see me as this bitchy? I've always considered myself honest and forthright, hard but fair. And what's with this skirt? I know you're a legman, but come on! I look more like a spokesmodel than a reporter!"

"Lois?"

Clark closed his eyes, feeling more disoriented as the dream continued. It seemed to be coming in waves now. She didn't say anything for a moment as she continued to walk away.

"Do you think they're proud of you, Clark?"

He looked up and she was standing between the two headstones. Lois gazed from one to the other and then directly at Clark. "Are they, Clark?"

He was completely caught off guard by her question and didn't know what to say.

"It's an easy question, Smallville," Lois said. "Are they?"

"I-I hope so."

"Just hope, Clark? You can do better than that! You really think Martha would be proud of how you reacted to her death? Running away, does that sound like something she'd be proud of, Clark?"

"I didn't run away, I just didn't know what else to do," Clark feebly admitted. "I was lost, Lois. I hope they would understand. I hoped you would understand too."

"And we just fade away." Lois said, turning from him and moving off.

"Lois!"

"Don't listen to her, Clark," another voice said. "She'd never understand. I think I do."

Clark turned and suddenly he was in his apartment in Metropolis. Zatanna was sitting on his couch.

"Zatanna?"

"It's always hard, Clark. I didn't understand until recently."

"I don't understand any of this," Clark said, feeling even more disoriented.

"You were lost, so was I," Zee whispered. She got up from the couch and started walking towards the bedroom. "I hoped you'd come after me, but you didn't."

"I-I was there at the airport," Clark stumbled to say, feeling dizzy and confused.

"And we just fade away," she said, stepping into the bedroom.

"No! Zee, wait!" Clark called, but couldn't coordinate his movements. He staggered and fell to the floor. The world seemed to be spinning around him, faster and faster.

Clark sat up in bed with a gasp. He was confused and disoriented, not even sure where he was. He moved to sit on the side of the bed, still a little too unsteady to stand. He rubbed his fingers over his eyes and forehead, trying to get a hold of himself. The room seemed unfamiliar to him, almost Mediterranean in motif.

"What troubles you my love," a soft familiar voice said behind him. He could feel a warm female body press against him, and her arms slip around his chest.

'Wh-where am I," he said.

"Don't you know, Kal, it's your dream," the voice playfully said. Something about the way she said Kal raised the hair on the back of Clark's neck. Glancing down he saw those very familiar bracelets on the wrists gently wrapped around him.

"Diana?"

Clark bolted up from the bed he was on and wildly looked around him. It was the ship, the space ship. It had all been a dream. He felt as if he had a hangover, one that extended from his head all over his body. Just as he was starting to get his bearings the bed shifted next to him.

"Whoever Diana is, tell her to come back later, Kal-El, we're still on our honeymoon," an irritated, sleepy voice said.

Lashina. He glanced over to see her naked body sprawled out on the bed next to him. Clark suddenly knew exactly where he was.

Apokolips

The commander of the Parademons had just met his fate for failure. His ashes still smoldered on the floor in front of Darkseid. Desaad was at his sycophantic best next to Darkseid.

"I will see that he is removed, your Lordship."

"Yes," Darkseid replied, his eyes already moving over those assembled in front of him. His eyes landed on the Parademon second in command.

"Would you care to finish your former commander's explanation of why your squad was unable to capture Lashina?"

The second in commanded was sweating and shaking. He knew the next moments would determine if he lived or died.

"She had aid, Great One," he said.

"Who? Who could assist her that would possibly make a different?"

"Superman, my Lord," the second in command said. A murmur went through those assembled at the name. Darkseid sat back saying nothing for a moment.

"Interesting," he mused. "So she runs to Kal-El, how fitting."

The second in command stayed in his bowed position, waiting his fate.

"You answer amuses me, you will keep your life," Darkseid said to the Parademon.

"Thank you, O Great Darkseid."

The second in commanded quickly bowed and scrapped his way out of the throne room.

"Granny, you've been so eager to unleash your Furies after Lashina, I think now is the time. It should be an interesting test for them."

"As you wish, O Great One," Granny bowed, the vicious smile already spreading across her face.

"Must they return her alive, Master?" Granny ventured.

"No, let it be a true test for them," Darkseid replied. Granny's smile grew even wider as she bowed and started to leave. Desaad whispered something in Darkseid's ear.

"Wait, Granny, there is something I want you and the others to hear," Darkseid said. "Send her in."

Everyone turned to see the great doors open and Amazing Grace nervously walk in.

"Come forward, Grace," Darkseid commanded. She quickly complied and knelt down in front of him.

"You are to leave your work with the Lowlies immediately, Grace."

"Have I displeased you, Great Lord?" She nervously asked.

"No, your work has been satisfactory, but I have a new task for you," Darkseid said.

"I am, as always, yours to command," Grace replied.

"You will be the tutor of a rather special charge, Grace," Darkseid commanded and then stretched out his hand towards the side door. 'Bring the boy in."

The door opened and Lashina's young son entered. There was a stir among those gathered. This shocked Granny and even Desaad were taken unaware.

"You wish to see me, my Lord,' the young boy asked.

"Yes, I want you to meet your new tutor,' Darkseid said gently to him. "Grace, this is Fenris."

Grace nervously looked up at the boy. He stared back at her with cold pale blue eyes, but didn't say a word. There was something about the look the boy gave her that sent a shiver through Grace.

"You may go now, Fenris,' Darkseid said almost lovingly to the boy. Lashina's son took one more look at Grace, then bowed and left. As soon as the door was closed behind him, Granny spoke up.

"O Great Darkseid, have I displeased you? I have always instructed the young ones for you! I was just making progress with the boy."

'You have always served your purpose well, Granny and will continue to do so. Fenris is special. My plans for him involve cultivating different talents then the one you so ably provide. Amazing Grace is more suited for this."

"And these plans for the boy, O Great One," Desaad asked with interested.

"Are none of your concern," Darkseid immediately replied. Desaad shrunk back, not saying another word.

"I-I am not worthy,' Grace was barely able to say.

"Yes, Grace, you are. Fenris will continue his lessons under Granny, but you will supplement them. You will put the velvet glove on the iron fist"

"As you wish, My Lord,' Grace could only answer.

"That is all for now," Darkseid said. He rose from his seat and all bowed before him. When he finally left, Grace looked up to see Granny and Desaad standing together whispering. The look in their eyes as they glared at her was pure hate. She knew they would not let this pass so easily. When you become an enemy of those two, your life is constantly in danger. Grace would have to make some arrangements.

Space

Lashina stood looking out the main viewer. Clark had stopped the ship to assist a small freighter in trouble. It had lost it's power drive and been caught in the gravity of the star. Lashina had put it down as their fate and was prepared to move on. Kal-El had other ideas. His reaction was immediate. Without hesitation, he'd stopped their ship and flew off to save the freighter. Lashina hadn't even really protested, for she knew this is what he did. He was a hero, to do otherwise would go against everything he was. Standing there watching him pull the freighter to safety, a smile came to Lashina's lips.

There was just something about him that stirred such unfamiliar emotions within her. He was unlike any man she had ever known. In her service to Darkseid she had done many things, both demeaning and offensive. She knew exactly what men were capable of. Lashina had no illusions about their better natures. Kal-El was the one man who never made her feel any of that. She didn't quite understand the emotions he stirred within her. In many ways they were more frightening than any others she knew, yet a part of her hungered for them, for him. The last week had been glorious. The Red had done its job and lowered his inhibitions. That allowed his attraction to her full reign. They both eagerly explored their desires, yet even in that state he hadn't taken advantage of her. He hadn't used her weakness for him against her. It just made her hunger for him grow.

Now watching him effortlessly save the twenty souls on the freighter, Lashina knew she wanted more. Having tasted his passions; she wanted it from all of him. The Red had helped, but now she wanted no excuse, no lies between them. He had consented to marriage before she'd given him the Red. He had made the choice of his own free will. They were married now. She planned on staying married. In time, she would tell him of their son, but that was for another day. He was her husband and she was his wife. They were bound together and nothing was going to break them apart. In him she'd found the man she'd always dreamed off. As frightening and unsettling as these new emotions were, she trusted him enough not to turn away from them.

A smile spread across Lashina's full lips as she thought to herself, he's mine, and all mine.

Apokolips

Grace had her first meeting alone with Fenris. The young boy was tall for his age and there was a odd maturity about him. She found his steady gaze unnerving. She tried to do her best to get through his lessons without showing it, but it was difficult. As they were finishing for the day, he stopped her with a question.

"You know my father?"

It seemed like a natural question, but there was an intensity behind it that brought her up short.

"Yes," she managed to say.

"Did you know him well?"

"I like to think so," Grace answered. She gave the boy a smile, but he just continued to look at her.

"Were you lovers?"

"I-I, that isn't, I mean, you shouldn't ask things like that," she stammered to say. It had thrown her completely to have someone so young ask such a question.

"Why," Fenris asked, his unblinking gaze never leaving her.

"It's not appropriate, that's why," Grace explained calmly. Her voice might be calm, but inside she was in turmoil.

"Is that what you're going to teach me, what's appropriate," he asked.

"Among other things, yes."

"So Granny teaches me to kill and you teach me how to do it appropriately?"

The cold, flat tone of his young voice was unnerving to say the least. Grace wondered again, what Darkseid was grooming this boy for.

"The Great Lord wishes you to have other skills besides killing, young master,' Grace patiently explained.

'Why?"

"He does not explain these things to one such as me."

The boy nodded and stood up. He moved slowly towards Grace and then in a surprisingly fast move, pulled out a dagger. He held it inches away from her face. She sat transfixed with fear.

"My mother gave me this,' Fenris said.

"I know your mother as well," Grace managed to say.

"The Great Lord doesn't think I know why she left, but I do," Fenris said. "He is responsible for her leaving me."

The knife was mere inches away from her throat, just hanging in the air menacingly.

"You will teach me to smile and get people to trust me, so I can get close to them like you do," Fenris asked.

"Yes," Grace said, her voice barely a whisper. She knew that this mere boy possessed the power of Kal-El and Lashina. Even at his young age, if he wished he could kill her with a flick of his wrist. She would not be able to stop him. She looked up into his eyes and for a moment saw a frightening intensity in them. It was there only a moment and then it was gone.

"I will look forward to learning all you can teach me," he said. The knife disappeared and Fenris walked away.

Grace was still shaking as she made her way out of the palace. As she turned a corner heading for the front gate, Granny Goodness was standing waiting for her.

"Oh, here's that precious little lamb that dares usurp what is rightfully Granny's."

The vicious smile on her face told Grace all she needed to know.

"I-I am only doing what Lord Darkseid commanded me to, Granny," Grace replied.

"Just doing what you're told, how sweet," Granny said, moving closer. "You wouldn't be trying to fool, your dear old Granny, would you Grace? You wouldn't be thinking of moving up in the world at the expense of Granny, eh?"

"No, no, of course not, Granny," Grace quickly said. "I am but a servant of Darkseid."

"Oh, how sweet and humble that sounds," laughed Desaad. He stepped out of the shadows and stood next to Granny. "Such humility is admirable, Grace, truly it is. You are just a servant, is that right?"

"Yes."

"That act of yours might work with the Lowlies, Amazing Grace, but we are not such fools."

"I don't know what you mean," she said.

"I know all about your work, Grace," Desaad said. "Your humility is just an act, but what you really crave is power. You have it with the Lowlies, but now you're setting your sights a bit higher, I see."

"It saddens Granny to see you make this mistake, my child."

"I seek nothing, I swear," Grace said to them.

"Lying to your Granny is dangerous, Grace."

"You know the boy is special to Lord Darkseid," Desaad replied. "You imagined you could use that fact to move up, didn't you?"

"No, I swear!"

"Lying again, what bad habits you've gotten into with those Lowlies,' Granny menacingly said. "Your dreams of power will be the end of you, Grace."

"You-You will not touch me," Grace defiantly said. "Lord Darkseid commands me to tutor the boy and that's what I will do! Would you two risk upsetting him?"

"Ah, now the true Amazing Grace comes out," Desaad smiled. "For now, you are protected by your value to Darkseid, Grace, but things change."

"Granny would also point out that there are other ways to hurt you, Grace. Nothing might happen to you, but those you care for, even love? The possibilities are truly frightening, when you consider them."

"No!" Grace gasped and then pushed her way passed them and raced for the main gate.

"Just a friendly warning, Amazing Grace," Desaad called after her.

She could still hear their laughter as she raced out of the palace and towards Armagetto. Her mind was focused on one thing, yet she knew that danger was all around. Desaad and Granny had spies everywhere. They would never rest until they found Grace's weakness. They would use it against her and that was something she couldn't contemplate. Moving among the Lowlies, she spent hours doubling, tripling back, taking everyone in, judging and assessing her risk. She was relatively sure she wasn't being followed, but she had to be sure. Making her way down to the tunnels, Grace navigated her way through the labyrinth. It had taken her years to learn each twist and turn, but knew one day it would pay off.

She emerged hours later in an old ruined tenement that squatters had taken over. Making her way through their squalor she climbed up one flight of stairs after another. A series of locked and reinforced doors kept all away from the upper floors. Grace swiftly opened and relocked each door. She had done this countless times and had it smoothly down. When she reached the last door, she took a deep breath to calm herself before entering. As she opened the door, weapons immediately pointed at her.

"Lower you weapons, it's me," she said, brushing past them.

"When we heard you were summoned to the palace we feared the worst,' an old woman said to her.

"You were right to fear," Grace replied. "I have little time."

"What are you going to do?"

"I must get her to safety, at all costs."

The old woman followed Grace through the large apartment until they came to a room at the end of the hallway. Grace put a smile on her face as she opened the door. A young girl was playing on the floor, but when she looked up a smile spread across her face.

"Mommy!" The girl squealed and then launched herself into Grace's arms.

"Avida, my sweet, it's so good to see you," Graced laughed, as happiness spread through her. This was her daughter. Avida was almost the same age as young Fenris, and tall like he was, but the similarities stopped there. She was an innocent, sweet young girl. Her mother, Grace had shielded her from all the viciousness of Apokolips. That time was at an end. Grace knew that Granny and Desaad would not stop until they found Avida. They would use her to get at Grace. That was the one thing she couldn't allow. It called for desperate measures.

"Avida, honey, we're going to have to take a trip,' Grace warmly said to her little girl.

"Where are we going, Mommy?"

"To a beautiful place called New Genesis."

"Will we be staying there?"

"You will, honey, but Mommy will have to return."

"I won't see you," Avida said, tears starting to form in her young eyes at the thought.

"I will come visit, I promise," Grace reassured her.

"New Genesis! It's too risky, Grace," the old woman said.

"Its worth it to keep her safe."

An hour later a boom tube opened in the garden where High Father was teaching the children. Grace and her daughter stepped through. The guards were there immediately, but High Father sent them away.

"What brings a citizen from Apokolips to my door," he asked.

"I seek your help, High Father," Grace said.

"Why should I help one of Darkseid's lackeys?"

"I ask nothing for myself, High Father, but for my daughter, Avida."

The young girl stood holding her mother's hand, looking all around at the beauty of the garden. High Father smiled at the young girl.

"Would you like to join the others, Avida?"

The little girl immediately nodded and looked to her mother for permission. Graced nodded with a smile and Avida instantly ran over to the other children. High Father and Grace watched her join in with them.

"She's a beautiful child, Grace," he said.

"Thank you, but it's not safe for her on Apokolips any more," Grace replied. "Will you keep her safe here, please, High Father?"

"Of course,' he agreed. "She must be very dear to you. She's a lovely young girl.'

"She's special, High Father," Grace replied.

"All parents feel that way."

"That is true, but in her case it's more than parental pride, High Father," Grace said. High Father saw the look in Grace's eyes and turned his attention once more to the little girl. She was tall for her age, with strawberry blonde curls like her mother. It was only when she turned and smiled at them that High Father saw what Grace was hinting at. The young girl had pale blue eyes like her father.