Conclusion [A Year Later]

The calendar progressed through its annual cycle without incident. The darkness and accompanying storm never did make a comeback at least not in that virulent form. Summer blazed and winter chilled Metropolis. The harvest came and went in Smallville. All in all, it was a good year.

Under Clark's leadership, the Justice Society made solid inroads into worldwide crime fighting. With Martha's help not to mention the people around her, the group convinced the government to stop being so paranoid toward its guardians. The group confronted and dealt with a number of super powered foes. However, for the most part, things stayed sane.

Life it seemed was moving on…..

[St. Matthias Cemetery—Metropolis]

On the anniversary of her death, Clark set roses and daisies in a planter on Lois' grave. He'd come back often to visit her with Lana's blessing to keep things in order and to fill her in on what was going on. Despite moving on with Lana and their marriage a few months after the crisis, he knew there would be an empty spot there. "Thanks for giving us our chance, Lois. Wherever you are, I hope you're resting easy."

"She is, Clark," Lana concurred while walking up to him with her own vase of flowers in hand. "Sorry if I'm intruding. I wanted to remember her as well." She set the vase in the other planter and noticed the white and pink roses on the grave between their offerings. "Whose are those?"

"Oliver and Chloe were just here," he indicated. "It's a hard day for everyone."

She nodded. "Tess' flowers were nice too."

"She gave her life so that we could be together, Lana. I figured it was the least I can do," he clarified while looking at the diamond glistening on her ring finger. "Both Lois and Tess should be remembered fondly as we move forward." He smiled. "It was their wedding gift to us." He kissed her. "That was due to their sacrifice."

"Well I'm grateful to them. And to you for sharing the road with me," she expressed.

"I'm glad we're together. I just wish that things didn't have to play out exactly as they did," he told her. Then he leaned over the grave. "I'll be back soon. Just wanted to share the latest. Thanks. We care about you." With that he stood and faced his wife. "One more stop."

"Really?" She grimaced. "I suppose so." She followed him across the cemetery toward a large obsidian obelisk jutting up from the ground. Unlike the grave they just left, she saw no flowers beside it. Engraved on it, however, was one name: "Alexander Luthor."

He shook his head. "What a waste. Lex, you shouldn't have had to end up like this."

"His ambition and lack of trust drove him to it. Trying to span two worlds at once is Hell on anyone. We both know that," she reminded him.

He acknowledged the point with a nod. Just before their wedding, Jor-El had changed her into a true Kryptonian thus eliminating the need for the Prometheus suit. When he did that, he inducted her into a whole new world. The Joining combined with the traditional Earth wedding solidified that fact. "I wish Mom and Dad had let me trust you and him with the Secret, Lana. He would've kept it. Maybe we could've kept him off the dark path."

"You did your best, Clark. I tried to make him a better man while we were married and look how that ended up," she assured him. "We both tried."

"And sometimes things just don't work out," Oliver pointed out as he, Chloe and Carter Hall approached behind them. "Lex was like that before he came to Smallville, guys."

"You endangered your own friendships just to be his friend, Clark," Chloe added.

"He did give me the Talon, guys," Lana pointed out. "And he urged Clark to pursue me in the beginning." She smiled wistfully. "I still remember that speech you gave at his wedding to Dr. Bryce, Clark." She held his hands gently in her own.

"I remember and I did go after that special part of life. Now we have nothing to worry about," Clark agreed.

"Lex couldn't help himself. Darkness and jealousy take root in anyone distorting their perceptions. If we can keep our love to balance it, we'll be fine," Carter agreed. "Marriage can straighten anyone out. Right, Chloe?"

Chloe smirked at Oliver who rolled his eyes. "I'm doing my best and so is Lana. We can just keep going."

"Come on, guys. Lunch is on me," Oliver invited.

"You all go on ahead," Clark indicated. "Lana and I will catch up in a second." After the others had left, he faced the obelisk again.

"Clark, are you okay?" Lana queried.

"I'm fine after what Carter said." He held his hand out to her.

She took it of course.

He smiled and then rubbed the obsidian. "Lex, thanks for building what you did before the dark times. It's hard to trust someone who hurt you. The three of us should know that well enough. But if you ever do find your way, come and find us. In honor of Alexander, I want you to know that we're here for you."

He wiped the mist from his eyes.

"Even after all he did, you can still do that. No wonder I love you, Clark," Lana indicated warmly.

"It isn't easy but we all need to move on. I hope that Lex can too. Come on, the others are waiting," he advised as they walked away from the site and toward the waiting car and teammates.

As the darkness continued to lift, the Light filtered through. Occasionally threats would arise. However, on those occasions, the Justice Society rose to face it.

With Clark and Lana there to lead the charge as it should be…..

THE END