I am soulmate AU trash. Countdown clock.

-X-

Alex gazed longingly at her wrist, willing the numbers to change - much like she did every day. They never changed, always remaining at 00:00:00:00:00:00.

When people were born, a time was etched into their wrist. It counted down to the moment - to the very last second - when they would meet their soulmate, the one person the universe decided was theirs to love forever - before disappearing and allowing the initials of their soulmate to take its place.

It was rarely heard of for a child to born with no timer; those who were became subjected to sympathetic glances and hushed giggles. It was believed that children who had no time were paired off with soulmates who'd already passed or were unobtainable. Some thought it meant they had no soul at all or were too unlovable. Alex believed the latter.

Alex's mother tried vehemently to tell her that it made her no different, but no empty words could relieve the pain in her chest. She would be alone, forever begging the stilted clock to turn. It never did.

-X-

"My clock is down to only months!" Susan gushed, gripping her wrist tightly as she beamed at the bold numbers littering just above her hand.

"I still have years," Maggie mumbled, nibbling on her pizza.

Susan glanced over at Alex who remained silent, glaring at the white surface of the cafeteria tables. "I'm sorry."

"Don't," Alex snapped, "I've heard it all before. Please…"

Maggie patted Alex's shoulder sympathetically. "If mine sucks, you're more than welcome to have them," she joked, grinning when her best friend gave a faint smile of thanks.

"If they suck, why would I want them?" Alex replied cheekily, sipping her soda and effectively breaking the tension that had fallen upon them.

"Who knows, maybe Maggie's the one who'll suck?" Susan suggested. She barely managed to dodge the sausage the Latina flicked at her in retaliation.

Alex felt the pain ease a little. Maybe it would be okay.

-X-

One night, when she was fifteen, Alex lay atop her roof and gazed up at the sky. The stars seemed to sparkle brighter than usual, glittering among their darkened backdrop.

Her day had been particularly trying, and studying the constellations was her only comfort. She liked to pretend that somewhere out there, she had a soulmate; someone who could love her just the way she was. She didn't want to be some consultation gift - she wanted to be the grand prize for someone, anyone…

Her class was learning about the history of the clock. How it came to be and what it meant for every person. She'd been exempt from the lesson, but she was too determined not to let her immobile clock deter her. She could ignore the pointed questions and snide remarks. At least, that's what she told herself.

Alex was staring at Orion's Belt when her arm began to itch. She absently scratched at her wrist, paying it no mind. She hated to see the black numbers remaining cold and motionless, so she chose not to glance at the irritation prickling along her skin.

Her eyes were heavy with sleep, body relaxing as the cool wind drifted along her prone form. She enjoyed falling asleep under the sparkling sky - the prospect of something more calming her in ways that no human could.

A shooting star flashed across the sky, shining as if it were a beacon of hope. Knowing she had nothing to lose, Alex sent up a quiet wish.

"I wish there was someone for me," she breathed, eyes clench tight and fingers outstretched pleadingly. Her hand fell limp to her side and her breathing began to even out as she succumbed to a dreamless slumber.

In the distant, the ground rumbled as an unknown vessel smashed into the Earth.

-X-

Alex was roused by the sound of concerned shouts reached her ears.

"Alex! What have I told you about sleeping up there?" Eliza demanded, her hands on her hips as she stared up at her daughter disapprovingly.

Yawning, Alex righted herself into an upright position and peered tiredly down at the woman. "I'm sorry, Mom. I just…"

Eliza's features softened. "I know, sweetie. It's just not safe to sleep up there. I worry about you. Come inside and get breakfast. Dad made pancakes."

Nodding, Alex gathered her blankets and trudged up to her window, slipping inside deftly. She tossed them onto the bed and made her way down toward the kitchen. Her feet padded quietly against the wood and she took a seat at the table as she waited for Jeremiah to set the giant platter onto its surface. He always made too many.

"Would you like some milk, honey?" Eliza inquired, opening the bottle before she could reply.

Alex absently stabbed at the pancakes, dragging one onto her plate. She reached for the syrup but was startled by the sound of glass shattering against the floor. Jerking her head in confusion, she locked eyes with her stunned mother.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked warily, her gaze flickering toward the pieces of glass mingling with milk on their freshly mopped floor.

Eliza could only gape at Alex's wrist, drawing attention to the marked flesh.

Nervously, Alex glanced at her arm and shrieked in surprise. Instead of the usual zeros marring her pale flesh, the number 00:00:00:03:21:08…07…06 appeared in black, the seconds seeming to tick by slowly.

"Oh my God," Jeremiah gasped, hurriedly taking the girl's arm and studying it intently. His scientific mind raced desperately as he tried to understand what he saw glaring back at him.

"Mom…" Alex whimpered, fear intermingling with concern. Hope blossomed in her chest, though it was quickly snuffed out by something akin to disbelief. Her mind refused to accept what she was seeing.

Swallowing hard, Eliza stared at Jeremiah. "How is this possible?"

He shrugged helplessly. "This has never happened before. I don't know."

Stepping gingerly over the broken cup, Eliza gathered Alex into her arms and they waited with bated breath as the clock continued its countdown.

At some point - Alex couldn't remember when - she was ushered into the living room. The family of three sat together on their cream couch, staring at the numbers constantly changing on the girl's tensed arm. She held it out in front of her, ignoring the burn of exertion. She couldn't rip her eyes away, terrified it would stop if she glanced away even for the briefest moment.

Within the last five minutes of the countdown, Alex inhaled sharply. "I-I don't understand."

"It will be okay, honey," Jeremiah promised, though his words tasted hollow in his mouth. There was no explanation - no comfort he could offer. He could only wait.

They were down to the last few moments when Alex's breath became sporadic, her stomach clenched with apprehension and expectancy.

10…

A knock on the door startled the occupants of the little Midvale home.

9…

Alex looked at her mother, her excitement and anticipation palpable as she scrambled to her feet.

8…

Eliza followed suit and rushed toward the door.

7…

Alex was hot on her heels, tears glistening in her chocolate eyes.

6…

The older woman threw open the door and came face to face with Kal-El (though he preferred Clark nowadays).

5…

"Clark! What are you doing here?"

4…

The young man smiled sheepishly.

3…

"I need your help."

2…

"With?"

1…

Clark presented a young girl who was tucked fearfully against his back, her eyes wide and innocent.

"This is my cousin, Kara. She needs your help."

Alex glanced at her wrist. Her clock had dissolved into initials, a simple KZ scripted in brilliant gold where black once resided.

"Oh my God…"

-X-

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