Chapter Thirty: Don't You Forget About Me

Panic. It stretched into every crevice of her body. It flowed through her bloodstream reaching every point, starting in her head and working its way down to her toes. She was idle in the middle of the road staring at an empty space where he had just been standing. He, meaning Zod, a kryptonian that was so wicked, conniving, and seemingly hell-bent on getting to her father and to their family.

Her eyes became larger as a terrifying thought was conceived. Quickly, she barreled through the streets of Metropolis. The scenery that she had just passed by was a blur. When she reached her destination she hurried past the working people on the steps and stopped on the landing. She stared into the bullpen where her mother was on the phone, her face a mixture of determination and annoyance. She felt some relief creep up. Her mother was alright.

Callie's eyes scanned the rest of the Daily Planet basement. He wasn't at his desk, by the copier, or in the city editor's office. She knew that he had heard the crane accident, she had heard it too, but she figured he would have been finished being the hero and saved the day only to resume as reporter Clark Kent. The panic started to bubble again. What if Zod had planned it? He had given her a taunting look. She knew he was messing with her, but why? Why now? Why when at any moment she could leave? Did he know? What if the team needed her to help fight him? But hadn't they fought him already without her and succeeded? She shook her head and sighed again. It was all too much. Then thoughts about her father resumed. Where was he? Her heart was palpitating violently in her chest. No, she couldn't think that way. If he was in trouble she would know, right? Right?

She clutched at her necklace, the symbol of hope, her heritage, and her father. She secured it tightly in her fist and stood firm. Zod's face flashed again before her eyes. No one messed with her family. No one.

~/~

Clark walked down the sidewalk and opened the door to the basement of the Daily Planet. He adjusted his tie to make sure it was straight and hiding the blue shirt underneath his work shirt. The crane accident was definitely suspicious. So were the bridge and the other accidents across the city. He was hoping Lois might have some kind of vital information tying them all together. His mind was already forming theories, but he needed to be sure. He needed whatever evidence Lois had gathered.

Walking down the stairs he saw a young girl standing on the landing, staring into the bullpen. Once he focused on her he noticed that it was Callie. He had felt so terrible leaving her at the gift shop and seeing her now made him anxious to profess his remorse.

As he finished the last few steps, and got to the landing, he saw a mixture of fear and relief on her face. Now, he was worried.

"Callie?"

At the sound of her name she whipped her body around and then lunged at him. She hugged him tightly and from her body language he knew for sure something wasn't right. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her and comforted her.

"Callie? Callie, what's wrong?" He whispered.

"You're okay." She breathed into his chest.

"I'm okay." He confirmed.

She lifted her head up. "For a second I got worried. I know I shouldn't have," she shook her head, "but after seeing him."

"Him?" He questioned.

"Come on." She took his hand and led him down the stairs toward Lois.

"Callie?" Lois queried when she became aware of the both of them. "What's wrong?"

"Is there someplace private we can talk?" Callie asked.

"Sure. I think we can find an empty office somewhere."

As Lois got up from her chair Callie projected herself in the same manner she had at Clark. Lois gave Clark a puzzled look over Callie's shoulder and all he could do was shrug in response.

They held each other tightly for a few moments before Callie let go. She turned back to him then looked at Lois once more.

"Sorry. I just needed to do that."

"It's fine, but I'm concerned about what brought it on." Lois said.

"I'll explain everything."

Clark used his superhearing and listened for a secure spot for them to talk. There was an office around the corner that wasn't being used. With the tilt of his head he signaled for the girls to follow him. Once they all piled in he closed the door. Clark stood beside Lois as Callie glanced around the room before focusing on them.

"Callie, what's going on?" He asked again.

She took a breath and stared at their forms.

"After you left to go save people in the crane accident I decided to just take a stroll in the city. I think my mind was playing tricks with me a little, but aside from that, in my exploration I was sort of drawn to an area and that's where I saw him."

"Who?" Lois probed.

"Zod." Callie stated.

It was a name that ran chills down his spine. The apprehension he had seen in Callie made sense. They had faced him before and he had his own trivial sighting of him. Zod was playing games with them. His suspicions of the accidents around the city grabbed on to the lead that had already been forming. Zod was trying to draw him out by making him speed through the city in all directions trying to prevent or help disasters.

"Are you sure?" Lois asked.

"Positive. He looked right at me and had this smirk on his face. He must have been following me or something. He wanted me to know he was there."

"That's like at the festival. I saw him in the crowd one second then he had vanished in the next, but he wanted his presence known to me. He must be planning something." Clark thought out loud.

Clark looked beside him to Lois, whose face was a myriad of emotion.

"Lois, are you alright?"

"I—I don't know. I know you guys were already looking for him, but I'm worried. After having dreams about that face…"

"Lois, are you still having those?" He asked, concerned.

She had told him about the dreams in more detail a bit since his secret had come out, but she hadn't mentioned that she might be still having them.

"Not really, but that face is still in crystal clear HD in this brain. I guess your future friends really wanted to make the point that this guy was bad news."

"I'm sorry." Lois looked at him through watery eyes. He placed his hands on her shoulders and vowed, "I won't let him hurt you."

"Clark, I'm more worried about him hurting you. The both of you." She said turning to Callie who had been silently watching them.

"The guy has really bad timing." She uttered.

"Most bad guys do." He replied.

Callie rolled her eyes slightly and said, "Tell me about it."

"We need to get this information to Watchtower." He affirmed.

Callie nodded, "I'll get on that. I think it'll be best to just go about everything normally. He wants us to panic."

Clark grinned in his thanks then remembered what he had wanted to get from Lois before seeing Callie on the stairs.

"Lois, with the accidents that have been happening in the city, have you been able to find anything else out?"

"Actually, the guy I know on the force pulled images from a traffic cam on the bridge. They should be here by now."

"I think we need to take a look at those photos."

Following his lead, they left the office and headed back to the bullpen. Sure enough, there was a large envelope planted on Lois' desk.

"Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas to me." Lois said as she grabbed the envelope off her desk and hastily opened it.

Carefully she pulled out the photographs and sifted through them. She made a noise at each one until she stopped and her eyes enlarged.

"Take a look at this."

Clark and Callie both angled their bodies around to look at the picture. There, standing in the middle of the bridge was a man staring straight at the camera. He was smiling. It was just like Clark had suspected and now he had the proof.

"Zod." Clark breathed out.

~/~

"Chloe, Chloe, read all about it. Zod is back and I'm gonna shout it." Callie yelled as she walked quickly into Watchtower holding onto a photocopy of the photo Lois had received.

A startled Chloe launched from her chair and hurried over to Callie. "What?" She exclaimed.

"I saw him today when I was walking in Metropolis and those accidents around the city lately aren't really accidents. Zod is trying to send some kind of message to us and he isn't being very subtle about it. Lois got this from one of her buddies on the force." Callie said as she lifted up the picture for Chloe to see.

Chloe took the photo and brought it over to her seat. She placed the photo face down where it was scanned into the computer and appeared on all the screens of Watchtower.

"I bet this isn't the only camera he's said cheese into." Chloe hypothesized.

"We had the same thought. Think you can hack your way into the traffic cams by all the accident areas?"

"Already ahead of you." Chloe said as she typed away and the screens changed again. "I'm downloading the images now and they'll be cross referenced with the times the accidents happened. It may take a little bit, so go make yourself at home."

Callie smiled and walked over to the tiny refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. Easily unscrewing the cap, she brought the water to her lips and took liberal drinks as her eyes once again took in Watchtower. Her eyes landed on Chloe and she watched her work on the computer as she logged photos.

Sadness came over her as she thought about the future. This wasn't the Watchtower she knew very well nor was Chloe running it. Soon, her time here would be over and these moments would fleet away. Spying a pad and pen she quickly grabbed it and brought it to her. Picking up the pen she began to write,

Chloe,

On September 14, 2012 you need to stay away from Kansas. I can't go into the details, but for your safety I need you to be as far away from Smallville and Metropolis as possible. Please.

Callie

She folded the paper a few times and then tucked it between two books that were stacked on the table next to her.

"And there he is." Chloe voiced.

Callie looked at the closest monitor and saw Zod at the crane site, again looking straight into the camera.

"Someone sure loves the camera." Callie said.

"You're not kidding. Whatever he's up to, he wanted us to catch him."

Callie grabbed at her necklace again and rubbed it through her shirt.

"Can I tell you something?"

Chloe's face softened. "Sure, you can tell me anything."

"Clark and I both heard the crane accident happen. He went off to be the hero and I decided to get in touch with Metropolis. I was walking and…I thought—I thought I saw him."

"Him? Who? Clark?"

"Not just Clark, my Clark. My dad. So, I followed him and where I ended up was my house. Throw in another random appearance by a family member and that's when I spotted Zod. I don't know what it means."

"I think it means that we're closer to getting you home."

"Why now? Why does Zod have to come now?" She cried out.

"Hey," Chloe pushed up from her seat and embraced Callie.

"Everything is going to be okay. Trust me. We've faced Zod before."

"But what about Tempus? We have to think about her, too."

Chloe pulled away and looked at Callie.

"Now, you listen to me Callie Kent. We are going to get through this. We're going to get you home no matter what. We can't let them screw with our heads."

"You're right. That's what they want."

"Exactly. You can't let them consume the time we have left either. I've informed the team about both of them. If they're spotted, we'll know. Until then, let's try and focus on the good."

"Which would be?" She questioned.

"We still have that party." Chloe smiled.

"Right." Callie smiled. The smile began to fade, however, when something dawned on her. " Oh, no! I still have to find something for Lois."

"Maybe that's what you need. Go take your mind off of this and find Lois the perfect present. Watchtower has this covered." She winked.

"Can I just hang out here for a while before I go back out into the world?"

"Sure," Chloe smiled. "If you're hungry there are some leftovers in the fridge."

"When are you going to learn that I'm always hungry?"

Chloe laughed and Callie went back over to the corner of the room with the fridge. She spotted the note she had written sticking out between the two books. With a heavy heart she turned to Chloe, who was back on the computer, then back to the note. She snatched the paper quickly and fisted it tightly.

It had been a moment of weakness to put that there because she knew better. Though, in the face of danger and protecting her family she had done it in panic and haste. She hated the thought of someone from her family being hurt, but when she thought about going home and what that meant, she knew what she had to do.

Ripping the paper she threw it away. Turning back she marched over to where Chloe was sitting and pulled her into another hug.

"Thanks, Chloe."

She could tell that Chloe was surprised by the second embrace, but she held on. Chloe was right. She only had a minimal amount of time left and she was spending it with the people she cared about. This was another test and, though she wished things could be different, she had to do what was right. Even though it couldn't be the way she wanted it, she could hear her father and mother in her head whispering to her that there was something else she could do in this situation: she could remember and treasure it.

*/*

After hours of hanging out at Watchtower then at the city shops searching for the perfect gift, which she had found, Callie was still far from exhausted. She knew she should be, but her mind wouldn't let her get any rest. She had tried to keep her thoughts to other things, but it seemed to always fall back to Zod and Tempus, but mostly Zod in particular.

Sitting on the porch swing she looked out onto the peaceful farm. At least the scenery was keeping her at ease, however, she still felt like she was analyzing every breeze, every rustle in the trees, or creak of the shutters or swinging door. She was on high alert whether she wanted to be or not. She could feel the pressure the surveillance was putting on her. Although, as the General always said, "Pressure makes diamonds."

"Hey," Clark's voice cut through the darkness.

She watched as he walked up the porch steps and unzipped his red jacket. He had been out on patrol while Kara was situated at Watchtower. That was another reason for her lack of sleep.

"Can't sleep?" He asked as he sat down beside her.

"More like don't want to, which reminds me to tell you that we're out of coffee and tea."

"Used up every bit of caffeine in the house?" He grinned.

Callie nodded, "Something like that. So, how was patrolling?"

"Quiet." Clark said.

"The calm before the storm." She commented wistfully.

Clark sighed and leaned back, "Maybe, but I'll take it." She could tell his eyes were on her and he asked, "Are you nervous about Zod?"

"Nervous that he'll strike and you'll need me, but I'll have to leave." She confessed.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, I don't want you worrying about that. You do what you have to do, no matter what is going on."

"But what if-?"

He cut her off. "No, what if. I can handle Zod and now I have a whole team backing me up."

He squeezed her shoulder and she grinned at him. "There's still the woman in black, too. Or, Tempus or whatever her name is."

"We'll handle that, too."

The sound of the creaking wooden steps alerted Callie and she tensed up, only to see that it was Lois. She was holding shopping bags in each hand.

"Hey, you two. Somehow I knew you'd both be up."

"You couldn't sleep either?" Callie asked.

"More like I knew you wouldn't be able to, which is why I came with donuts, three bags of Turkish coffee, and two of the worst movies known to man."

"My hero." Callie smiled.

Lois tilted her head toward the front door, "Come on."

Callie and Clark both got up and walked toward her. Callie was the first to walk in and peered around the corner of the wall to see her parents still in the doorway.

"Hi…" her father said in a low voice with a smile.

Her mother smiled and looked up at him, "Hi back."

She gave him a quick peck on the lips and then walked in front of him. Callie quickly jumped onto the couch so that her spying had not been discovered. The both of them crossed through the living room and unpacked the shopping bags. Lois put on a pot of the coffee while Clark got one of the movies started. Callie pulled the red blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped herself in it as she joyously watched them. Then they finally came and settled on the couch with her, one on each side of her.

"How did you know to come?" Callie asked, leaning into Lois.

"After spending so much time with Clark, you were bound to take all this information and put it on your shoulders like he does."

"Hey!" Clark exclaimed.

"Well, am I wrong?" she challenged.

Clark deflated and Callie chuckled at the exchange.

"I figured you needed a classic Lois Lane pick-me-up."

"You guys are the best." Callie breathed.

After about an hour of junk food, coffee, and the first really bad movie, Callie could feel sleep starting to claim her. Her head was on a pillow while her body was sprawled across both Lois and Clark. She was caught in the limbo of a deep slumber and being awake. Her eyes were closed and her mind was beginning to rest, but her ears were still as perky as ever.

"I think she fell asleep." She heard Lois whisper.

"That's good. I was afraid she wasn't—especially since you brought enough coffee to keep all of Smallville up for a week."

"I know the feeling of wanting to stay focused and alert. If that's what she wanted then I would happily bring the supplies."

"I do appreciate that," Clark said affectionately.

"I'm here for you too, Smallville. I don't want this weighing down on you either."

"I'd rather it weigh on me than her."

"I know that." Callie could hear the smile in her voice. "You wouldn't be you if you didn't."

She could feel them shift closer together beneath her.

"You know a lot about me, don't you?"

"You're not that hard to figure out."

Callie groaned inwardly. Really? Even though she was technically asleep she was still right there. Had they no courtesy? Who was she kidding? These were her parents. At any instant she would hear a familiar sound. Without fail a moment later she could hear a faint smacking of lips.

"Maybe we should refrain from this while Callie is right here." Lois whispered.

'Thank you,' Callie thought.

"You're right. We don't want to risk her waking up and hearing her say how we've caused her some kind of mental anguish."

She could hear them both chuckle at that.

'It's not funny you two.' She thought.

"She seems to be content right here," Clark continued as she felt him move some hair from her forehead. "And she's not the only one," he sighed.

"I know what you mean." Lois agreed. "We just take what we can get for now."

"I know." There was a pause before she heard him say, "I wish we had more time."

'You will.'

And that was the last thing Callie thought before she finally fell asleep.

~/~

Once the movie had finally finished, Clark had moved Callie to his bedroom where he and Lois tucked her in and Shelby guarded her. After that, sleep still seemed impossible. He and Lois put in the second film, though they didn't really watch it if he were honest. Watching movies with Lois wasn't the same since they started dating—it was even better in his opinion. Making out with his girlfriend while an insufferable movie played in the background was the best distraction. Of course, the occasional need to leave in order to stop an incident nearby happened, but he was never more than five minutes. Besides, he was always met with a very eager Lois ready to get back to where they left off. How she could make a situation that would annoy most people so hot amazed him. He knew he was lucky to be with her and he thanked whatever powers at work that they had been brought into each other's lives so long ago.

Sleep did eventually catch up to the both of them, though. While the couch was never a pleasant place to sleep, with Lois in his arms he would never mind it. When he awoke he found a curious Callie looking down at him with a smirk similar to the ones Lois would give him.

"Sleep well?" She asked.

"I slept fine," he replied. He carefully maneuvered out from under Lois and positioned her carefully on the couch. "How did you sleep?"

"Better than expected," she grinned.

"That's good."

"That's very good. It means I have energy to face a new day and a new chance to catch that scum."

"How about breakfast before catching scum?" He offered.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." She smiled.

The pancake mix had been brought out and the two of them set to work, while trying not to disturb Lois. They again tried to make bunny shaped pancakes since Callie insisted that it was the chosen breakfast of champions. The product of their efforts had been more successful than their last try. As they ate they both understood what that morning could mean; it could be the last time they ate breakfast with each other. Neither voiced it, but he knew the thoughts were mutual. It's what made his next actions so hard and yet required.

Clark suggested Callie go to Watchtower, which she was happy to do. Clark's intentions of sending her were double sided. He wanted Callie gone so he could get the house ready before they had the party that was still going to go on. Lois had divulged to him that the party should be about Callie and he agreed…to a point. He wanted to make it special for the both of them. He needed Callie away for the moment however, though it pained to send her away since time was so precious. He believed that they would make through the party though and his pains would be met with rewards.

Lois was still asleep on the couch as he put aside a tray of breakfast and coffee for her on the coffee table. He then went to do the chores of the day. After working through the fields, feeding the animals, and mucking the stalls, he came back in to do the labors of the house. Heading into the laundry room he saw a pile of clothes in a basket that Callie had worn and figured she had left them there to be done. He started to sort them and once everything was in the washer he spotted folded up papers in the corner of the basket. He recognized the handwriting to be Callie's. He unfolded the papers slightly and saw the words "Things to remember".

He was tempted, he couldn't deny that. On those papers, for some reason, were things from Callie's life. Clutching the papers he walked into the living room and threw them into the fireplace. Using his heat-vision he started to burn a tiny fire. He watched the white paper start to char at the edges and turn black, then to ash. He wouldn't be enticed to read them.

"A fire in August? Hell finally freeze over, Smallville?" A groggy Lois asked as she started to wake.

"No, just burning some papers."

"Illegal documents? Are you involved in a cover up?" She playfully inquired.

"No," he chuckled, "just don't want to go back on my word."

She stretched and stood up, smiling as she spotted the coffee and quickly brought it to her lips. He was of course mesmerized by the action since she always looked exhilarating as she drank her morning coffee. He snapped out of it as she replied, "Clark Kent going back on his word doesn't seem possible."

"Just ensuring to halt any temptation."

"That's good." She nodded as she put the mug down.

"No inquiries to what it actually is?" He questioned, wondering why she didn't seem attracted by the mysteriousness of his answer.

"No," she simply said.

"It's weird seeing this side of you. Usually you don't stop until you have all the details."

"Something tells me that if you don't want to be tempted to know then neither do I."

"You're incredible," he said without thinking.

"I know." She shrugged.

He rolled his eyes and watched her dig into her breakfast. She looked at him with curious eyes as she waved the misshapen pancake. "What are these supposed to be?"

"Bunnies."

"You tried that one again?"

"She told me it was the breakfast of champions. How could I deny her that?" He smiled.

She chuckled as she nodded. "Where is the champion? She up?"

"She's at Watchtower. I figured that'd be a good way to distract her so I can get some of the party things organized."

Lois' gasp sent his attention back to her. Her eyes were enlarged as she dropped her fork. "Oh, crap. I have so much to do then. I have to go to the store and get all the food together," she said as she quickly started to gather her shoes and bag.

"Lois, relax. If you give me a list I can run to the store and back in a few minutes."

"I will definitely take you up on that offer at a later date, but this has to be absolutely perfect, Smallville."

"This isn't going to be like the last event you planned where we all ended up with fairytale nicknames, is it?" he winced.

"See you later, Prince Charming." She smiled as she gave him a peck on the cheek and hurried out of the house.

As much as he didn't want to see her go it seemed to be perfect timing as he heard a distress call. Cleaning the house would have to wait until he cleaned up the streets enough to function. Racing to get the items of his uniform on he sped out of the house in a blur of red and blue.

~/~

When Lois had arrived back at the farm she had been met with a buzzing washer and a whining Shelby. Pulling the slack that Clark had left behind she finished the wash and tidied up the living room. That left her with a bag full of groceries and Martha Kent's open cookbook. She needed this to be perfect. She wouldn't accept anything less. Diving into the ingredients on the table she carefully read the recipe and mixed everything together. It seemed to be going well, at least for her it was going well. She fluidly moved in the kitchen trying to channel Mrs. Kent and her inner Iron Chef.

A few hours later, Lois was wiping the sweat off her brow as she scrambled to make all the items on her list. Lois had gone all out, even sporting an apron which was so not like her. Clark had been gone, which she had been semi-grateful for since his mother's kitchen was like a scene out of Armageddon. The buzzer of the oven went off and she quickly opened its door. Pulling out the cake she had put in she yelped as she burned her hand, throwing it on the counter where it began to sink.

"What? NO!" She cried.

Placing her hands on the counter she let out a long sigh. The rolls had burnt at the bottom, the potatoes seemed too lumpy no matter how much she mashed, now her cake sank, lord knew what would happen to the roast she was preparing with Mrs. K's special sauce. It wasn't going perfect. She could feel herself breaking within.

"Whoa, what happened in here?" she heard Clark's voice from the door.

She tried to wipe her eyes as she looked up at him; a complacent looked pasted on her face.

"Just getting the rush on dinner."

"Should I be scared? Warn the fire department?" He asked with a chuckle.

She shuddered at his words, a look that probably didn't go unnoticed by him.

"Lois?" He asked with concern.

"Clark, I'm trying to get this done." She said as she started to chop vegetables.

"Lois, are you crying."

"No," she snapped. "It's the onions."

"You're not chopping onions." He pointed out.

She grunted as she stopped what she was doing and moved to the microwave as the timer went off.

"Lois, what's going on?" He asked as he stopped her hand from getting the contents of the microwave.

"Nothing."

"Lois?" He asked in that deep low voice that made her insides melt.

That was when she broke. The wall that had withstood so much, working through all the cracks and repairs finally gave way.

"It's not perfect." She whispered.

"What isn't?"

"This!" She loudly pointed to all the items in the kitchen. "I tried, Clark. I put my all into it and everything has just come out wrong, which, hey it's me. Lois Lane is known to be a disaster in the kitchen. Why should I have thought that this time would have been different!" She exclaimed.

"Hey, it's not that bad." He reassured her.

"Says the guy who suggested the fire department be notified."

She saw him take the hit of her words and the guilt on his face. "I'm sorry. I was just teasing you like I always do."

"I know you were, Smallville. Usually it wouldn't bother me, but I just…I wanted this to be perfect for her. Your mom always made it look so easy. She would just whip up all these incredible things and be such an incredible mom."

"Is that what this is about? Lois, just because my mom could cook didn't make her so incredible. She was like that already, just like you are. Cooking doesn't make or break that. I know that you know this, that Callie doesn't expect you to be perfect…"

"I wanted to prove it to myself, Clark. I wanted to prove that I could do this." She cut in. "Clark, I don't know the first thing about family time or dinners at home, I don't," her voice cracked, "I just hoped that somehow I could pull this off, the whole making a home thing. That I could get a jump start and make what could be the last evening I spend with her memorable."

"Lois, family time and dinners will come along the way, but no one expects you to master it in one fell swoop. And tonight will be memorable because look at what you've accomplished. She's going to see all the time and effort you put into this and know just how much you care about her. That's what it's about, Lois, and you know that. She'll love everything that you've done, no matter what it comes out like."

She knew he was right and she let him pull her into a hug. She melted into his chest and let out a breath of relief for him being there.

"Besides, you have me. You always have me." He breathed as his lips rested at the top of her head.

"The potatoes are too lumpy." She muttered.

She felt his chest move as he chuckled. "I like lumpy potatoes."

She moved back from him and looked at the piece of meat on the table. "You want to help me with the roast?"

He nodded and said, "I think that'd be best."

She picked up the dish towel on the counter and swatted it at him.

"Hey!" He called out with a grin.

~/~

Chloe watched Callie attentively as her attention was attached to a screen studying the city maps. She had come in during the morning and left briefly to get Lois' gift that she had picked out the day before. She was amused when she told her what it was. When she had come back Chloe had been doing some work while Callie wandered around then dived into searching for Zod. She knew the girl had a lot on her mind and was trying to figure out what to say to her.

"So, are you excited to give Lois your present?"

Callie looked up from the screen with a serene look on her face.

'Good. That got her attention.'

Callie began to move away from the computer and slowly walk around Watchtower.

"I don't think anything can top the year we made the song for her." Callie reminisced as her hand trailed along the metal banister of the stairs.

"You made a song for her?" Chloe asked curiously.

"Oh, yeah. Dad sang as my brother and I were back up. A whole song about Lois Lane." Callie smiled.

"What I wouldn't give to see that." She chuckled.

Callie's smile faltered a bit but she kept it on her face. "Maybe you will."

"Looking forward to the serenading ways of the Kent clan."

Chloe glanced at the clock. She was under strict orders for Callie to be at the farm house by a certain time before all the other guests. "Hey. Why don't you go home and get ready for the soiree? I'll just finish up here and meet you over there."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely. It's an important night." Chloe urged.

She knew exactly how important it was. It was important to all of them, but she knew how much Lois had wanted to make this special for Callie. She could only imagine the state of the Kent farm while she was trying to make that happen.

"Okay. See you in a bit."

"Bye." She smiled.

With a 'woosh' Callie was gone and Chloe sat at her desk alone. She looked at the pictures situated on it. There was one of her with Jimmy, a picture of her with Lois, and the newest was a copy of the photo strip of Callie, Lois, and Clark. Family. Her fingers ran over each of the photos and she smiled. Tonight was going to be about family. She only wished that Lois and Clark knew the whole truth and just how much Callie truly was a part of theirs.

~/~

The farm had been quiet, but Callie knew that Lois and Clark had something else planned up their sleeves. She knew them too well. She didn't let on that she knew though, that would defeat the purpose.

After a nice long hot shower she couldn't seem to get a certain song out of her head. She smiled at the thought. One of the earlier presents to her mother when she had been young was a little concert all about her. Her dad had come up with the song. They spent about a week learning it in secret. Her mother had loved every minute of it.

"Dad sure does love to sing about her, doesn't he?" She said to herself.

Brushing her hair she started to hum the tune. She started to laugh and sniffed a few times at the memory. She stopped brushing her hair and smoothed down her clothes as she gazed into the mirror. She wondered when she got home if she would look different. Would she look like she had just attended time traveling boot camp or would she just look like Callie, as if nothing had happened? She felt different, that was for sure. She toyed with her hair and then took a breath. When she took one final glance the image in the mirror startled her. It wasn't just her in the bathroom. There was another figure in the mirror standing behind her.

"Mom?" She croaked out.

Her mother smiled and said, "Be careful, sweetheart."

She turned quickly to see if the glass was somehow playing tricks on her. There was no one there. It was only her. She rubbed her eyes and felt her forehead for a temperature. What the hell was happening to her? First, she thought she saw her father, then her brother, and now her mother? What did it all mean? Her mother told her to "be careful". Be careful of what?

It was jolting. There were so many issues at hand already. Which one was she being warned about? Or was she being warned about everything? A knock at the door brought her out of her small paranoia.

"Everything okay?" Kara's voice asked.

"Uh huh. Be out in a second." She called through the door.

She ran her hands through her hair and recomposed herself. This night was important and she would be ready. She didn't know what was to come, but she would be ready.

~/~

Oliver, Chloe, Emil, Kara, Lois, Clark and Callie were all piled into the living room of the Kent farm, amidst the celebration. Clark beamed as everyone shuffled around talking, drinking, and eating. He had decorated the house, per Lois' instruction, while Callie had gone upstairs to get ready. It was reminiscent of the party they had thrown him a month before, with blue and red streamers abound. There was also elegance to it that he attributed to Lois. The table was set neatly with the good plates and silverware. He was proud of what they accomplished, but prouder of what Lois had pulled off. She wanted to make the evening special and for all that she put into it he knew it would be just that. It would be a night to remember.

"I'm hoping that this party isn't just going to be us standing around all night." Lois commented.

"I think I know just the thing we need." Callie simpered. In the blink of an eye she disappeared and then reappeared, holding wires and some kind of electronic. "I saw this stored in the barn not too long ago and I think it's very fitting."

"That's my old karaoke machine." Lois pointed out.

"And what better way to celebrate Lois Lane's birthday than through tone deaf singing." Callie commented.

Clark was amused at the exchange. It wasn't too long ago that the two of them had been on stage performing. Callie was right when she said she thought it'd be fitting.

"Well, let's see what we have to work with." Oliver said picking up the CDs that went with the machine. "I see we have our best of the 80s collection."

"Well, this is Lois'," Chloe smirked as she was met with Lois' narrowed eyes.

"You bet your ass there's a best of the 80s CD in there."

"Yeah, try ten." Oliver said.

Lois simply shrugged.

Clark walked over to the contraption and started pulling at the wires. "I'll get this set up while the rest of you figure out the CD situation."

In the back of his mind Clark figured while he worked on hooking everything up, and the rest of them decided what they were going to perform, he could get out of having to participate.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Smallville."

He dropped the tangled mass of wires and looked back over his shoulder to Lois.

"What do you mean?" He asked innocently.

"You playing audio visual nerd. I know it's because you're trying to get out of singing."

Leave it to Lois to bust him so quickly.

"Lois…"

"Oh, come on, Clark. Just imagine you're in the shower and you should be fine," she joked.

He rolled his eyes. He was never going to live that down.

The group finally figured out what they wanted to do and the girls broke the ice by performing, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". He was surprised when Emil got in on the action and chose "Jailhouse Rock". He did his best Elvis impersonation, which had everyone in stitches laughing. He had never seen everybody enjoying themselves so much in a long time. It felt really good.

After Emil's performance, Chloe, Oliver, and Kara sang "All for Love". Oliver swayed as he held onto both women at his sides.

During their concert he heard Callie mutter, "Connor is just like him."

"Huh?" he asked.

Callie looked as though she was thinking of a fond memory before she reacted to him.

"Nothing," she smiled, "My friends and I sang this song at a—uh—wedding anniversary party last year. It's just a good memory."

He nodded silently wondering just whose wedding anniversary that might have been.

Then it was Callie and Lois' turn to sing. Of course, it was Whitesnake and of course it was "Here I Go Again." He remembered back when the two of them had been singing it in the car, using the door, seat, windows, pretty much anything, as their instruments. That had been the morning where he had toyed with Lois' car so he could drive Lois and Callie to the Daily Planet. It had been an effort to still spend time with them since he hadn't been working at the Planet at that time. In the car they had been smiling and having fun. He remembered thinking that he couldn't have imagined any other place he'd have rather been in that moment. It was happening to him again. There was no place he'd rather be.

Lois and Chloe sang "1985", where Chloe promptly pointed at Lois at the Whitesnake reference in the song. Callie tackled "Beauty and the Beast," only Callie had changed the words to "Beauty and the Blur", which embarrassed both he and Lois. He had still yet to sing and he could feel Lois' eyes on him.

"I think there's still one person in our merry group that hasn't taken to the stage." She commented.

Suddenly, he heard a chorus of, "Clark! Come on, Clark! Get up there, Clark!"

Grumbling under his breath he walked over to the CDs and took a deep breath as he analyzed every song. He couldn't see himself singing any of these, to be honest.

"Hey, Lois there's a song on here called 'You Talk Too Much'. I think that suits you." He said glancing up at her.

"Aw, how lovely of you to want to serenade me with that, Smallville, but I think the movie soundtrack songs are on the other CD. Pretty sure they have the one from Karate Kid II on there." She busted back. "You're familiar with that one, am I right?"

He smiled at her and she smiled back brightly. Even though he would rarely admit it in the past, he loved their banter. It did something to him inside unlike anything else.

"Let's see what we can sing, huh?" Lois went through the CDs and bit her lip.

She tapped her chin, "Hmm, do we go 80s, classic songs, Pop/Rock, or movie soundtrack with you?"

"How about none?" He suggested.

"Nope. You're doing this. Consider it a present for me."

He shook his head as she shuffled once more through the CDs.

"'Sweet Child of Mine' would be way too awkward." She said as she took a CD out.

Clark sighed and moved through the catalog. "I'll find something."

His eyes scanned through all the songs and CDs, finally falling onto one he'd heard play many times in the past. Its lyrics made a little more sense now that he thought about it.

They both turn to the crowd of awaiting eyes. He knew he shouldn't be nervous since he was in a room with his friends and not strangers, but this was not in his comfort zone. The beginning of the song started and he listened to the beat. Lois smiled at him as she moved back and it was the perfect gesture.

"Sometimes I wonder how I'd ever make it through. Through this world without having you. I just wouldn't have a clue…" he began in a soft voice.

Lois stared at him as he continued. His eyes were locked on her. He didn't care what the others were thinking or doing. The lyrics were true. Sometimes the world did seem it was closing in on him, but then Lois was there. He could feel like giving up, but with Lois beside him, he was stronger to make it through the fight. When she looked at him and smiled he felt like he could do anything. He could be beaten down, in pain, but if he saw her face, saw her smile at him, he would have the strength to smile back and keep going. That's what she did to him, for him. It's all he'd ever need.

As the song ended he missed the knowing look Callie gave him. Lois marched right to him and he was taken aback when her lips were on his. He closed his eyes and gave into her kiss. The room erupted into cheers and whistles at their display of affection. When their kiss ended he knew his cheeks were red.

"I'm remembering this for Power Ballads night at the Ace of Clubs." Lois whispered with a smirk.

He grunted under his breath and she chuckled at him. He shook his head and pulled her closer to him.

"As long as you're there I can do anything."

"Okay, Lovebirds, off the stage. So, who's next?" Oliver called out.

Callie took a step forward. "I'll do one more."

~/~

She stared at the machine. This was going to be her final song, so it had to have meaning. She could do "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue or "Free Bird" seemed really fitting with its lyrics, but she figured that might be too much of a downer. Instead she went with a 80s classic she discovered from a movie marathon when she had been introduced to John Hughes, again courtesy of her mother.

"Just so you know I almost chose 'Free Bird', so…you're welcome."

She heard a mild chuckle and proceeded to find the track on the CD. The lyrics started to scroll on the blue screen.

She cleared her throat and continued. She followed the words carefully even though she was familiar with the song. Soon the chorus came up and she readied herself for the double meaning the lyrics were about to take on.

Somehow, someway, she knew that this night would change everything. She could feel it in the air. Everything that she had been experiencing lately was telling her that her time to leave was coming soon.

"Don't you... forget about me."

She sang those words again with meaning. Her time there had meant something to her. The experiences she had had with all of them, she didn't want to forget or have them forget. She still didn't know how she was affecting the future, though. Those thoughts, even though she had come to terms with them in her own way, were still present no matter what.

'Will you remember?' she thought.

Everyone's singing of the last part filled the living room until the song finally ended. She took a bow as they clapped. She got control of her diverging thoughts and watched all their faces. She didn't want to get overly emotional. She wanted this to be a happy party. She knew just what would make the mood cheerful.

"I think it's time to open presents." She stated, brightly.

~/~

Lois placed another card onto the pile. Her friends had been generous with her with gifts, even though she had told them not to. She had been intrigued when Clark told her that she would get his present later. Her mind was steadily trying to figure out what Clark would have in store for her.

"Open mine." Callie said giddily as she handed Lois a poorly wrapped box.

Lois chuckled as she watched Callie squirm in her seat in anticipation. She was also laughing at the fact that not being able to wrap a present properly was a trait she had inherited from Clark. She bit her lip as she ripped the paper and it was revealed that underneath was a box containing a donut maker.

"I just figured that maybe you might want to take the chance in trying to make your own maple donuts." Callie said.

"You do remember my baking skills, right?"

Callie shrugged. "I think that if you put your mind to it and really want those donuts that they'll come out okay."

Lois' mouth shifted to the side as she thought about that. If there was anything that she would be determined to get right it would probably be making donuts.

"I love it."

She saw relief flash on Callie's face. The kid had nothing to worry about. She could have given her a box of rocks and she would have thought it was perfect. It was like what Clark had told her earlier.

'I hate it when he's right.'

"While I love all these gifts and thank all of you for them, tonight is not really about me. It's about Callie."

Callie's eyes enlarged as they scanned the room then fell on her. "What do you mean? We're celebrating your birthday."

"I didn't need a party." She replied. "But I knew that we all needed something; with everything that has been happening, we all needed a little break. And we did it for Clark," she said glancing at him, "so, when you suggested it for me I said okay, but this isn't just for me, Callie. It can't be."

Lois looked to each face in the room and continued, "We don't know what's going to happen next. The only concrete thing we have known is that your time with us has been temporary. We just wanted to have a chance to say goodbye."

Callie swatted at her eyes as tears were welling up in them. Lois could feel it happening to her, too.

"You didn't have to do this for me."

"I know, but I didn't want it to just be about me. Besides, I already got the greatest gift." She said with a wink.

"What was that?"

"Meeting you." She stated. Her eyes then darted to Clark who nodded in agreement. She knew he felt the same way, too.

Callie scoffed and rolled her eyes at that. "You can't be serious."

"I am." She said firmly. "You have definitely livened things up around here and I've treasured the bond that we formed. It's truly special to me."

"And here I thought the donut maker was a great gift." She smiled.

"It definitely is a really close second."

Callie laughed.

"How about a speech, Callie?" Oliver suggested.

"Oh, I don't know." Callie stumbled.

"Speech!" they all called out. "Speech!"

~/~

Callie rolled her eyes at their boast for her to make an unplanned address to them. What was she going to say? What could she say? They were all amazing. They had turned her plan to throw a party for her mother's birthday early around and made it a party about her leaving. She knew she was going to have to say goodbye sooner or later and she knew deep down that her borrowed time in the past was going to be cashed in soon. This was her moment to do this. This was her moment to talk to every single individual she cared about and thank them for everything they had done for her. She just needed to figure out where to start.

"Alright, alright." She said as she took a deep breath. "I'm usually pretty good with words, but my mind seems to be going a mile a minute right now, but I think I've got my bearings straight," she smiled.

"When I first got here I had a bit of an attitude problem as you guys can probably attest to." She chuckled and could hear them chuckle along with her. "I think I still have one, but that was just my defense mechanism at work. Coming to a place that was so foreign, so out of my realm, that just seemed so wrong in my eyes, and the people that I knew, that I grew up with, that I loved, were somehow not here, it just, it brought out different things in me. I like to think that as time went by I mellowed out, as mellow as I can be." She muttered the end which brought some more giggles.

"And the reason why that happened is because you guys made this place, this place that's not mine, into a world that was comfortable, an environment where I could smile, laugh, and just for a second pretend that my world was not turned upside down," she paused, "You guys didn't know me. You didn't have to do anything, but you did. You did that and each and every one of us has a bond because of it and I am so grateful for that," she started to cry a little but held herself back.

"I am so grateful that these past two months didn't revolve around me huddled in some dank corner pulling my hair out trying to find a way home. Instead I found myself having support, having time to relax, and I could talk when things were getting too intense for me, I could have shoulders to lean on, to cry on" she choked, "and I just want to thank you. I want to thank all of you so much. What you've done for me—that's what makes each and every one of you so special. That you could take a girl who fell from the sky, find her, and give her a home. Because that's what you did, you gave me a home when I didn't have one and you've spent time trying to help me find my way back to mine."

"We didn't find you. You found us." Clark stated as Lois leaned into him.

She smiled and let a few tears that were fighting to get out fall upon her cheeks.

"You guys are more than I could have ever wished for. So, thank you." She cried and then sniffed. "But you did find me, or at least, you helped me find myself. I couldn't have made it this far without you. And I will never forget," she emphasized.

"To never forgetting." Oliver stated as he raised his glass.

"To never forgetting." Everyone toasted.

"To never forgetting," she whispered.

The timer on the oven buzzed and Lois called out, "Kara, can you get that for me?"

"Sure, Lois."

"Emil, you mind taking a picture of us?" Oliver asked, handing him the camera.

"Not at all. I've actually dabbled quite a bit in photography and videography."

"Okay." Oliver replied.

Chloe, Oliver, Callie, Clark, and Lois all huddled together and maneuvered to find just the position.

"On three. One, two, three…"

Everyone smiled as the camera flashed.

"Kara, come over here." Oliver said.

They took some more pictures, the camera going into different hands as individual photos were taken with each other. Oliver demanded that he get copies of the photos so a session of uploading and printing out commenced. A copy of the picture of Chloe, Oliver, her parents, and her had been set aside on the table. Callie quickly pocketed the photo. She then eyed the photo strip still hanging on the fridge and pulled it down. Making her way to the printer in the den, she opened up the copier portion of it and made a copy. She wanted to keep the pictures with her. She wanted to keep her family with her when Tempus made her move.

Finally, she scurried back before anyone noticed. Everyone then started some small-talk and Callie noticed Emil give her a glance. They needed to talk. Slipping out from a conversation with Oliver and Kara she walked over to Emil and pulled him into the hallway by the front stairs.

"I need to talk to you about something." She could tell that she had his attention so she went through the events of the day before when she saw the figure she had mistaken for her father.

"It could be a side effect of the hypnosis. The mind is complex, especially yours. In your subconscious you may have felt you were being followed, for example, so you mind constructed images to bring you somewhere you felt safe." Emil explained.

"My house. Then, C.J. led me to the window."

"To reveal to you the person in question."

"But I didn't feel like I was being followed."

"Maybe not in the forefront of your mind, but subconsciously you may have felt it and your mind was warning you."

"Well, it also warned me about three hours ago. I saw my mother in the bathroom. She told me to be careful. Then she disappeared."

"I would heed that warning," he went in his pocket and handed her a watch, "especially, with this."

"A watch?"

"A chronosphere." He corrected.

She held it up and gazed at it. "My ticket home."

"It's programmed for the exact moment you left. It could be altered, but I warn against that."

She was in the midst of strapping the device when she stopped to process his words. "If I leave here and end up at the exact moment I left there, doesn't that mean…"

"This timeline will cease to exist."

She sighed. She knew this could happen. Ever since he had wanted to know the exact moment that she had left her time she had hypothesized that this could be the result. She was torn, feelings of relief and anguish riddled her body.

"They won't remember me."

"It will counteract the damage already done. Much of Tempus' movement has been coming here. Erasing that will undo the rips she already caused. It's really the only way to ensure minimal damage, but like I said, it can be altered. That's up to you."

"Right."

"There could be side effects using the device, in whatever manner, as well."

"Like what?"

"Time travel is delicate. There could be lapses."

"Lapses?" She questioned.

"It's called a time fold or a time meld. Moving through rips could create a disturbance where seconds, minutes, or hours fold into one another. Time would move without anyone noticing the missing portions. For example, it could go from 1pm to 4pm and no one would notice."

"Well, that doesn't sound that bad."

"It could be worse, though. Days, months, and years could fold."

"Okay, well, that sounds worse." She grimaced.

"Nothing is concrete when it comes to this. There's a lot of risk."

She nodded. "Understood, but I have faith, doctor."

"I have faith, as well." He grinned.

"Thank you for everything."

"It has been my pleasure." He said as he tenderly squeezed her shoulder.

~/~

Chloe observed Callie and Emil as they walked into the living room from around the corner. She walked over to the conversation as curiosity got the best of her.

"Everything okay?"

"Everything is fine." Callie reassured.

"I have given Callie my finished device. I think it would be imperative if we cut the festivities short and keep an eye out for any disturbances."

Chloe knew he was right, but she had wanted to stay longer. However, she knew that giving up the dinner portion of the evening wouldn't be the worst thing. Callie would get to be alone with Lois and Clark, her parents, in an intimate setting. They had their time. Now she needed to keep an eye out so the remaining time was spent well. Who knew, maybe they would have tomorrow, but inside something was telling her differently. Something was telling her that tonight was the night.

"Okay, just give me a second."

He nodded and went to go wait outside.

Chloe's eyes started to water as she looked at Callie.

"I want you to know that the future is very lucky to have a girl like you there."

Callie smiled at her. Chloe could tell that Callie was trying to keep her emotions at bay as was she.

"Before you came here, I was a mess. The world seemed to have let me down because the people I needed most were gone. When I tried one last effort to reach out to Clark, I met you; this mysterious girl who had a sharp tongue and wasn't taking crap from the new Clark Kent. Then, I caught you in Watchtower. You surprised me further by being hell bent on finding my cousin. Soon everything clicked. It only seemed right that you would be the one to help lead Clark out of the abyss. He's changed a lot because of you being here."

"It's not all about me. That's who he is. I may have nudged a bit, but that guy over there? In the beginning I couldn't see him being my dad, but now? He's only steps away."

"It was one hell of a nudge."

"Thank my mom for that." She smiled.

"I'll be sure to do that."

"Hey, Chloe, are you heading back to Metropolis?" She nodded as Oliver stepped beside her.

"Good. I have my gear in my car, so I'll take over for Bart and patrol once I get back."

"Okay."

Oliver leaned in and gave Callie a big hug.

"I know I already said this, but thanks for giving me that kick."

"Anytime." Callie said.

Oliver exited and it was the two of them once again.

"If I don't see you tomorrow," her voice cracked, "It was great to meet you, Callie Kent."

Callie sniffed and brought Chloe into a hug, "It was great to meet you too, Chloe Sullivan."

Chloe's heart tugged as the words meant more to her trained ear. She closed her eyes and understood something that had been swimming in her gut. She pushed it away, not caring. Time was tricky and so was the knowledge of it. So, Chloe would play ignorant and forget what she suspected. The only knowledge that she would hold dear would be that Chloe Sullivan and Callie Kent had met and it had been an amazing and honoring experience.

~/~

Lois witnessed Callie say goodbye to Emil, Oliver, and Chloe from afar. Once they had all left she stood idly by the table as Kara, Callie, and Clark came over. Everything was set and she held her breath and awaited the reaction she would get from them.

"Wow, this all looks great." Kara gushed as she took a seat.

"It really does," Callie smiled at Lois and sat across from Kara.

Lois felt a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks. I just wanted this to be a special family meal for all of us."

"And you made all this?" Callie said with a wink.

"Very funny." Lois said as she narrowed her eyes and sat at the end of the table.

"I can confirm that Lois did make all of this." Clark stated as he took the seat at the opposite end of Lois.

"Thank you, Clark."

"Even though I did have to prevent some fires from engulfing the house." He added.

Lois took a roll from the basket and threw it at Clark's head which he easily caught.

'Stupid superpowers.' She grumbled in her mind.

"Now, now you two." Callie chastised them. "I think we can get through this meal without unidentified flying objects soaring over the table."

Kara pointed to Callie, "What she said. I want to enjoy this. Trust me, after spending time in the Phantom Zone like I did, you don't take for granted a family meal like this."

"Tell me about it. Would it kill someone there to put in a Kryptonian Fried Chicken or a PZ Changs? Don't phantoms need to eat, too?" Callie asked.

"Pretty sure they do that by getting to the new prisoners." Clark hinted.

"Oh."

"And you've been waiting a while to say those things haven't you?" He smirked in Callie's direction.

"Yes! I've beaten myself up for not thinking of it at the time."

Lois shook her head. This was one of the moments where it was true to form that Callie was indeed her daughter. She'd done the same thing countless times. Then Lois rolled her eyes and sighed at the topic of discussion: The Phantom Zone. That place had not been a pleasant memory and certainly one that she didn't want to rehash and discuss at the table.

"Can we please stop talking about that place? Especially since I've found out it wasn't just a low blood sugar induced acid trip like I originally thought?"

Her eyes bore into Clark and his facial expression took one of surrender mixed with humor.

"I'm sorry, Lois. It was the only thing I could come up with at the time. I was trying to protect you."

"I know," she said. She did know that and she understood why he had said it at the time, but she decided that she wanted to play with him a bit. He had resumed teasing her and she wanted to get him back.

She took a large helping of potatoes and slammed it on her plate. A mischievous look formed on her face as she dipped the spoon back into the potatoes then held it up, aiming it at Clark. He was oblivious to her actions, so she decided to let her left finger that was holding the tip of the spoon back go. The result was a large glob of potatoes on Clark's left shoulder. He looked up at her in surprise and she just shrugged.

"You said you liked lumpy potatoes."

"I meant on my plate, not on me." He said with a forged smile and laugh.

"You should have been more specific."

"Kara, pass the rolls?" Callie asked, cutting through the starting tension.

"Sure." Kara replied as her eyes shifted between Lois and Clark and then passed the rolls.

Callie's eyes shifted as well as she bit into the bread. "Mmm, these are so good."

"You think so?"

"Fluffy in the middle and burnt on the bottom? My favorites."

Lois smiled brightly. Clark asked Callie to pass the basket and she went back to filling her plate when she felt something fly into her hair. When her fingers touched the item it was mushy and slippery. She looked down at the substance and saw that butter had gotten into her hair. Her eyes traveled across the table and met Clark's.

"Did you just fling butter at my hair?" Lois asked in disbelief.

Clark sighed and nodded casually, "I'm afraid I did, Lois."

"Kara, would you like some salad?" Callie asked in a normal tone.

"Um, sure." She said as she grabbed the bowl.

Lois was still staring at Clark and his eyes didn't leave hers either. This little game they were playing was beginning to escalate. She didn't think Clark would retaliate in front of everyone. She liked this side of him. Yet, retaliation came with a price.

'This is war. And you know what the General always says about war…'

"Are the two of you okay?" Kara asked.

She answered in a normal tone. "I'm fine. Clark?"

Clark grinned. "I'm great."

"You two are acting weird." She continued.

Callie then threw a carrot at Kara.

"Hey!"

"They started it." She said pointing to Lois and then Clark.

Kara picked up a spoonful of peas and launched it at Callie, who ducked down. Lois' mischievous grin returned. She grabbed a handful of cut up roast and threw it at Clark, her tongued peek out between her teeth as his mouth formed an 'O' in surprise.

"Oh, that's it, Lane."

"What are you going to do about it, Kent?"

Her eyes went to Callie who nodded, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

"FOOD FIGHT!" Callie's voice erupted.

Suddenly food was being tossed in all directions. It wasn't about Lois versus Clark or Callie versus Kara. It was everybody out for themselves. Anything and everything was grabbed. Callie squealed as Clark got her with the mashed potatoes. She got him back by squeezing the bottle of ketchup at him. Lois threw lettuce at Kara. Kara emptied her water glass down Clark's back. Clark dumped the bowl of stuffing over Callie's head. Callie dove for the gravy boat and its contents were splashed on Lois' blouse. Lois launched more rolls in Clark's direction and she ended up with more butter hurled in her direction courtesy of him. The dining room was overflowing with the sound of clanging dishes, hurried footsteps, and laughter. There was food everywhere and she knew that the real winner out of this fight would be Shelby.

Clark had somehow grabbed the cake and she heard Callie yell at Kara, "Run for cover!"

It was too late for her as she felt a balled up mass of cake hit her shoulder. Lois ran for the kitchen and grabbed the whipped cream and sprayed it in Clark's face. He grabbed her arm and turned her hand so she was spraying herself.

"Ah! Smallville! You're so getting it for that!" She exclaimed.

Her hand reached for the cake, grabbed a handful, and smeared it on his chest along with everything else that had been chucked on there.

"You're a mess!" She laughed.

"Take a look at yourself, Lois."

She looked down and saw that her white button down blouse wasn't so white anymore. Clark hand brushed some potato and cake off her shoulder and they both started to laugh. She peered over his shoulder and realized they were the only two left downstairs.

"I think Callie and Kara headed for the hills."

Clark turned around and seemed to see for himself that she was right.

"Can't say I blame them." He said as his hand traveled to her hair and pulled out some of the butter.

"Was it too much?" She asked.

He shined that charming Kent smile and replied, "It was perfect."

"You think?"

"I know." He said tapping to his ear. "Too bad no one got to eat."

Lois bit the inside of her cheek to not smile as she grabbed another handful of cake. "You're right. Someone should definitely get to eat something."

Then Lois pushed the cake into his face. He licked his lips, which she found very sexy, and waited to see what he was going to do next.

"That's not bad. You actually made a pretty good cake, Lo."

"Yeah?"

He nodded. "I shouldn't be the only one who gets a taste. Here have some," then put some cake in her face.

She burst out laughing and tried to get more cake to throw at him but he caught her hand. He pulled her close to him and dipped his head as his lips found hers. She could taste the cake on his lips along with the regular taste of him. She stifled her moan, but clearly heard his. She took pleasure in that.

Pulling away she looked up at him and tried to brush off some of the food on his shoulder. One of his fingers trailed up to her face and slid across her cheek as it collected remnants of cake and frosting.

"This was quite the meal, Lois. It was definitely something to take notes about for a later date." He said with a wink as he put the finger to his mouth. Her mouth fell open when he did that.

Lois let out a gasp, "Why, Clark Kent, that is some mind you have there." She bit her lip, "I like it. I hope you're a good note taker."

He just gave her a big smile then held her close in a hug. "Oh, I take copious notes."

~/~

Callie crouched down on the stairs out of view. She and Kara had run to get out of the line of fire and retreated to the second floor. Kara was currently cleaning herself up while she detoured and hid at the top of the stairs, a witness to the last two individuals left in Food Fight 09'. The cake had been the last item of food to be used in the war and then they both stopped. They were smiling, laughing, and talking. For an outsider what had happened at dinner would have been odd, but for her it was the norm. She had been involved in her fair share of food fights. She could sense one had been coming a mile away at the table before it had started. It felt good knowing that her parents drove each other crazy like that and would never stop.

She watched them in one of their signature swaying hugs from her view in between the wooden posts. She wondered if they knew they did that. Whether they knew or not, they were the picture of perfection in her eyes. Even though she could whine about their public displays of affection until the cows came home, she'd rather sit and watch them than not have them professing their love in little actions at all. If this trip to the past had taught her anything she had certainly learned most of all to not take her parents' love for each other for granted.

Deducing that she had seen enough, she quietly walked into Clark's room to change. She snorted when she saw the mosaic of food on her clothes. She was surprised to see new clothes already folded on the bed. She soon realized that the clothes were actually hers, the ones that she had been wearing on the day she had arrived. She ran her fingers over them. They were hers, actual items that belonged to her and only her. They were her proof that she had come from the future and fallen from the sky.

Feeling a connection to them, especially after reliving the day only twenty-four hours prior, she shed her current clothing and put the concert T-shirt, jeans, and boots on. She made sure she transferred the photos she had grabbed from downstairs and placed them in her front pocket. She felt like she was in her own skin again, if that made any sense.

It had been an emotional day. She still couldn't get certain thoughts out of her mind. Every moment, every step she took, she could feel the sand in the hourglass lessening on her time in 2009. She looked at the watch on her wrist and what it signified. It was her skeleton key to the future. She would need to be ready to use it whenever the call would come that Tempus had caused a rip. She would need to be ready to do what had to be done. She would need to be ready to say goodbye to 2009, knowing that no trace of her time there would ever exist once she pressed the button.

~/~

After Emil had left her to work his shift at Met Gen, Chloe had never felt so alone at Watchtower. The party had been fun, entertaining, and had certainly taken their minds off the heavy things surrounding them. It had been a needed retreat since all work and no play would make everyone more on edge. Now that she was back in her chair at Watchtower the world had come rushing back. She was there while Oliver was out on patrol. They were watching the streets vigilantly hoping that this could be a night of peace. If the universe was kind, Callie would get to spend the evening with her parents and focus on everything else in the morning. Chloe had a nagging feeling the universe wouldn't comply.

Yet, the streets were telling a different story. Chloe had been staring at the map of Metropolis for an hour, while maps indicating where the other team members were located were minimized, and there was no change. There was no activity in Metropolis, no criminals to catch, no woman in black to be spotted. It was too quiet. Suspicious, she went through the logs again. There was nothing. If there was nothing she wondered how Oliver was fairing. Tapping away at the keys she pulled up Oliver's whereabouts. She tilted her face in confusion when Oliver seemed to be in Suicide Slums.

'Maybe he's anticipating something.'

Clicking the controls she set out to find out from him what was going on. If it was important she certainly wanted to know. Yet, it wasn't like him to not inform her.

"Arrow, this is Watchtower. Is everything okay?"

She waited back for a response, but there was silence. Now, she was really worried. As she got up to retrieve her phone a voice came through the speakers.

"Chloe…" it groaned.

It was Oliver. Running back to the computer she tried to tap into the camera on his glasses but the image kept flickering.

"Oliver? Oliver? Is everything okay?" She cried out.

"Zod." Was all he managed to say before the connection was severed.

Chloe's heart stopped. Zod had struck and it had been right underneath her nose. How had she not known? How could this have happened? Trying to keep in control she was able to get Oliver's exact location. She ran for her phone and dialed the only person who could help. She silently prayed that this wasn't going to be the start of multiple colossal events.

~/~

When he and Lois finally called a truce to the food war, Clark had sped off to Lois' apartment and back so the both of them could change into new clothes. He had informed Callie and Kara that he was going to give Lois her gift, which they curiously pestered him as to what it was. He avoided answering since at times it seemed that Lois had the superhearing when it came down to news stories or presents, especially. When Clark finally brought Lois up to the loft he told her to face the window and shut her eyes.

"Okay, Smallville. Can I open my eyes now?" Lois asked. "This isn't exactly what I had in mind when you asked me to come up here."

Clark stood behind as his mouth curled into a smile. He had wanted this moment to be significant and of course, Lois, unknowingly, was tampering with the mood he was trying to set.

"Last night you said that I wasn't that hard to figure out."

He watched her mouth smirk. "Because you aren't."

Clark rolled his eyes at her answer.

"You have always been able to see me differently. You make me feel normal despite knowing the truth about me, and even before that."

Placing his hands on her shoulders he turned her around to him. She opened her eyes and stared up into his.

"Clark, where is this going?"

Clark cleared his throat and went over to his desk. Opening the drawer he pulled out the leather bound journal given to him long ago.

"I'd been trying to figure out what to get you for your birthday. I wanted it to be really meaningful. Then Callie said something to me. She told me that what I got for you didn't need to be extravagant or over the top to show you how I feel about you. It just had to be simple and from the heart. I knew she was right and that's when I realized I had the perfect thing all along."

Clark walked back toward her slowly and extended the journal to her.

Amused, she asked, "You're giving me your diary, Smallville?"

"Not mine. It belonged to a renowned scientist, Dr. Virgil Swan. He was the one who showed me where I was from, told me my Kryptonian name, and gave me my history. After he died his daughter gave me his journal. It's sort of a better explanation of who I am."

"The unabridged user's guide to all things Kryptonian?" She asked.

Clark smiled, "Something like that." His hand cupped her cheek as he gazed at her face. "I want you to know me completely, with no secrets. You're the only one."

"So my gift is you?"

"All of me." He clarified as his hands landed on her hips and pulled her closer.

She placed the journal behind her as her hands were then firmly planted on his chest. His eyes dropped down to watch them as they slid to the buttons of his shirt. He stood still as she unbuttoned the top button and worked her way down to the second one.

"Lois, what are you doing?" He whispered.

"Unwrapping my present."

Her hands moved to each button that was left until his shirt was open in front of her. She slowly slid it off of his shoulders. It sank down until it reached his elbows since he was still holding onto her. Her hands then returned to his bare chest. He sucked in a breath as they roamed every inch of him. Her head tilted up and her lips latched onto his. His hands glided from her hips up around her back, pulling her flush up against him. The kiss began to deepen until Lois unexpectedly pulled away.

"We're going too fast again, aren't we?" He voiced.

She shook her head and placed her hands on her blouse. "Since I get all of you, I want you to have all of me, too."

He tilted his head then watched as her hands grabbed the hem of her shirt and she started to pull it up.

"Wait." He said, stopping her. "Are you sure? What you said last time-."

"Clark. I want this. The possibility will always be there. What are we going to do? Wait forever?"

"I'd wait forever for you."

"Forever is a long time. Plus, I'm the birthday girl."

"Are you sure?" He asked again.

"Help me strip, Smallville." She commanded.

"Aye aye, Sailor." He nodded as he placed his hands over hers and helped her pull her shirt over her head.

It dropped to the side and he rid his arms of his shirt so hers would have company. His feet shuffled backward as their lips met again with more fervor. Flesh was touching flesh and memories of the night in her apartment resurfaced. The way she felt beneath his hands. It was imprinted on his brain. There was the scent of her hair, the taste of her lips, and her body fitting complete with his. He never thought he'd be able to get enough. She was like a drug and with her he let everything go. He had mulled over this before, but if red kryptonite had a human form its name would be Lois Lane.

The back of his legs reached the couch and he turned around so he could lay Lois down on it. His body climbed onto hers, leaving room to not crush her, and his lips resumed back to their sanctuary. Her pleasurable moan was like music to ears. He pulled back to look down at her beautiful face. Her eyes opened slowly and he grinned down at her. He still wanted to make sure that this was what she wanted. Her matching grin was the clearance he needed.

His hand was sandwiched between the cushion and her back as it toyed with the clasp of her bra. As she arched her back to give him room, the strap on her left shoulder fell down. He kissed his way to the spot where the strap had just been and sucked on her skin.

"Clark…" She breathed out as her nails scratched along his back.

As he was about to completely remove her bra his phone started to ring. They both froze in rigid poses as their eyes simultaneously looked at his pocket. Fear rose in him and he could see it in Lois' eyes, as well, when they met again.

"Lois, I—."

"Clark, answer it." She cut him off.

He swallowed back as he pulled the phone out of his back pocket and saw Chloe's name on the screen.

'This could be it. The woman in black might have finally showed up.'

Lois had already shifted out from underneath him and begun to adjust her bra and put her shirt back on. Clicking the answer key he placed the phone to his ear.

"Chloe?" he answered tentatively.

"Clark. Something's happened to Oliver. Zod attacked him."

"What?!" His voiced boomed, startling Lois. "Where is he? Is he okay?"

"I called Emil and an ambulance rushed him to the hospital." There was a beat and he could tell that Chloe was really shaken up. "Clark, Emil said that there was a symbol burnt into his chest."

"What kind of symbol?"

"A kryptonian one. I think Zod left a message for you."

His eyes glanced at Lois. She was trying to assess what his conversation was about. He could see how alarmed she was. Yet, inside he was even more distressed as his mind flashed back to Zod attacking them in the barn they were sitting in. How a weapon with kryptonian poison had cut Lois and sent her to the hospital. How she almost died.

"I'll get Kara and be right there."

"Hurry."

Clark ended the call and put the phone back into his pocket.

"Clark, what's going on? It's him isn't it? Zod."

Clark nodded, "He attacked Oliver."

Her eyes opened wide. "Is he okay?"

"Emil is working on him. I have to get Kara and get you and Callie off this farm."

"What? Why?"

"Lois, he knows about this place and he knows how I feel about you. If he's after me, then I don't want you caught in this again." He grabbed her shoulders and squeezed them. "I can't lose you."

"Okay." She relented. "Let's go get them."

*/*

With clothes straightened, Clark, in his blue shirt and red jacket ensemble now, and Lois barreled into the house through the side door.

"Callie! Kara!" he yelled.

The girls peeked up over the couch. They were sitting watching television and he hated that he had to pull them away from such a domestic and normal moment.

"Whoa, what's up?" Callie asked.

"We have a situation." He began to explain.

"What kind of situation?" Callie asked as she and Kara immediately exited the living room and walked to them.

"Zod attacked Oliver."

"Is he okay?" "What happened?" The girls voiced at the same time.

"He's at Met Gen right now, but Callie I need you and Lois to get off the farm. You can go to Lois' apartment. You should be safer there."

"You don't need me on the front lines?" She asked cautiously.

"I need you to do one of the most important jobs." He hinted.

She nodded as she understood what he meant. "Of course. You can count on me."

He figured if Callie and Lois were at Lois' apartment it was more likely they would be out of harm's way. He also assessed that if the slightest chance the time came that Callie had to leave then Lois would be safe enough there until he and his team had a handle on Zod.

Turning to Lois he could see how even in this forlorn situation she looked up at him with bright eyes. He found a renewed strength in them. His forehead angled down as it rested on hers.

"Everything is going to be okay." He assured her.

"I know. Be safe and kick his ass, Smallville."

His lips curled into a grin just as they captured hers again. He put everything into the kiss. He needed her to know how much she meant to him, how kissing her replenished something deep inside him, and how with just a kiss he could know how she felt for him without words and vice versa. They didn't need words. Actions spoke louder and at a crucial time like this it was all they needed. Just a kiss. Just a kiss and he felt like he could do anything.

They broke apart and she cupped his cheek, touching him one last time, before turning to stand beside Callie.

Callie looked at him with sparkling blue eyes. He hoped this wouldn't be the last time he saw her. Not like this. Not under these conditions. They too didn't need words. He believed it was their familial connection that allowed them to do so. They both were wishing this wasn't happening, but they both knew they had a job to do, that they each needed to protect people and keep them safe.

"Before I go," Callie began as she went to the drawer and pulled out a pad of yellow post-its and a red Sharpie. She wrote something fast then looked back up at him. Pulling the piece of paper off she slapped it in the middle of his chest and rubbed it in place. "Be careful."

She turned back to Lois who was in the doorway and in a flash they were gone. Looking down at his chest he saw that she had drawn his family's crest on it. He looked back at the empty space and his hand hovered over the post-it note. He took pride in what Callie had just done and the confidence she had put in him in one small gesture.

He thought back to when the two of them had first met, how they had reacted to each other, and now how that all had changed. In her eyes he had earned that shield in the middle of his chest. He had earned the place that she had yearned for him to be from the beginning: her father. She didn't have to say it. She didn't even know that he knew, but that gesture showed it and it was in the perfect place; it was close to his heart. His family was close to his heart, always. The symbol that stood for hope and for his family would guide him through whatever was waiting for him.

"Kal-El?" Kara asked, interrupting his thoughts.

He turned back at her and rubbed the symbol once more before dropping his hands to his sides.

"Let's go."

~/~

Callie gently released Lois out of her grasp as they reached the front door to her apartment. Lois softly muttered "whoa" and Callie felt bad about speeding so fast.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," she said as she put her key into the lock. "Just a little different than what I'm used to."

Callie grinned as she raised her eyebrows, "I'm sure."

'Did I just say that?'

Lois' cheeks reddened a bit as she opened the door. Callie went in first and assessed the apartment with x-ray vision. There was nothing planted, nothing seemed out of place, and no one was hiding waiting for them.

"We're clear." She said as she waved Lois in.

She could feel Lois rolling her eyes behind her as she walked further into the living room. Not that she could blame her. She understood the annoyance of feeling overprotected, but this was different. This was Zod. Everything else had to take a backseat and protection was the priority.

"I'm going to make some tea. You want some?" Lois asked.

Callie nodded, "Sure."

Looking around the apartment she spotted the French doors. They reminded her of the doors from when she was a kid. She could remember moving the cloth that covered the window in anticipation of her father's arrival. There were even the times all three of them would sit out on the balcony. They would gaze up into the sky and her father would try to do his best to point out the stars to her. Of course nothing beat the country sky, but it was still special.

Somehow, Callie had ended up out on the balcony without even realizing it. She looked up into the sky and tried to find all the different constellations that she could. She looked down at her left wrist and sighed. She shut her eyes and rubbed her pocket with the pictures in them. In her moment of reflection the hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood up. Her eyes snapped open and in her view was a figure speeding toward her. She stepped back as the figure landed.

"You." She breathed as she recognized the figure. It was Faora. "Come for a rematch?"

Faora reached out and grabbed her. She pulled the chain that was securely around her neck out from under her shirt. Pointing to the symbol she said, "I came to collect."

Before she could react she felt her body flying back through the French doors. She groaned on top of the debris of broken wood and glass. When she focused she saw Faora standing over her. Callie's first instinct was to look for her mother. She kicked Faora in the leg, sending her stumbling. Callie tried to reach the kitchen, but before she could Faora picked her up and threw her onto the coffee table. It crumbled underneath the combination of power used to toss her and her weight.

As Faora stood over once more Callie kicked her in the stomach. She saw Lois sneak up behind Faora and hit her over the head with the tea pot. Of course, the pot dented at contact and Faora swatted at Lois, which sent her down to the ground. Callie had already moved around the couch to try and get to her mother and punch Faora out in the process. Before Callie could retaliate there was a crash through the front door. The force of the crash sent her barreling into the wall.

"Callie!" She heard her name being called.

She squinted her eyes a few times and pushed herself up. Once she got into a standing position she found that her mother was already in Zod's custody. Faora grabbed her arm, but Callie elbowed her in the face.

"Let her go." She demanded Zod.

"Or what? With the flick of my wrist I can break her neck before you even get over here."

He pulled Lois' head hair back by her hair and she winced in pain.

"NO!" Callie screamed. "Stop it."

She could feel her eyes watering, but she took a deep breath and blinked them away.

"What do you want?" She grunted angrily.

Dragging Lois along with him he stood toe to toe with her. His face moved closer as he spoke.

"I want this decrepit planet's inhabitants to fall to their knees and kneel before me. I want the one you call 'The Blur' to be strung up and made an example of as my army overruns this planet and makes it a new paradise, a new Krypton."

"And, what? You take us and you get to him?"

The side of his mouth curled up. "Oh, he is only the constellation prize. You, my dear, are the key."

She narrowed her eyes in confusion. Then, she felt her body change somehow. She didn't feel right. Turning to her left she saw Faora holding something blue as it came hurtling toward her face. Then all she saw was black.

~/~

Clark sped into Watchtower after leaving Kara at the hospital. She suggested she stay by Oliver's side while everyone else was out on alert for Zod. If he came back she would be there to protect everyone. He agreed even though he knew that it was unlikely that Zod would return. His attack on Oliver had been a message to him. Emil had mentioned forwarding pictures of the wounds to Chloe before Oliver had been taken into surgery.

When he saw Chloe she was frantically moving around. She hadn't even registered that he had entered the room until he placed his hand on her shoulder stopping her.

"Chloe."

She looked at him surprised then deflated she moved past him to grab her tablet and stylus.

"We need to find him, Clark."

"Chloe, I know, but you need to slow down. We can work on this together."

Chloe shook her head as she glided the stylus across the tablet. She dropped the tablet on the desk and sighed. Clark understood her frustration and he felt terrible.

"He went after Oliver for a reason. He's picked off one of the members of the team here in Metropolis as everyone else is scattered across the globe. If this isn't divide and conquer then I don't what is." Chloe slammed her hand on the table. "We should have stayed together as a unit. He was traipsing across the world knowing that we would send people to investigate and look at what happened. How could I be so stupid?"

"Chloe, you aren't stupid. We all did what we thought was best. We worked together as a team sharing our intel and spread out to try and cover more ground. What happened to Oliver isn't on you, it's on Zod. And we still have a chance to stop him before he creates any more havoc." He turned Chloe around so she was looking at him. "We can do this. We just need to piece the puzzle together."

He saw Chloe relax a little and get back to work on the tablet she had just had in her hand. She cleared her throat as a kryptonian character popped up on the screen.

"Emil sent this to me. This was the symbol burned into Oliver's chest. Do you know what it means?"

Clark looked at it carefully. "Blood."

"Blood?"

Clark nodded.

"The camera in Oliver's glasses had flickered but I was able to pick out your symbol burnt on the wall behind Oliver's body. Emil confirmed it since he was at the scene. It isn't settling well."

"It isn't settling well with me either." He replied.

"Well, he made it perfectly clear he's out to get you."

"Not just me, Chloe. My blood."

"You think he literally means that he wants your blood?"

"Ever since the first attack I've been racking my brain with the things he said. I will finally open the door and my army will be unleashed. If he needs to open a door then maybe he needs a key."

"A key." Chloe mulled over. "Your blood is the key?"

"Jor-El was a scientist. He built all kinds of things. Look at the Phantom Zone. The blood of an El is the key out. Maybe there's another door to something."

"Well if we go back, we know from Lois that Tess had been talking about an alien orb. Then we have the markings on the Luthor lawn. So, Zod and Faora made their way out, but only them. Maybe that's how this all fits."

"That's why he's been after me; he needs to open the door again. We have to warn Kara, too."

"Clark, it's not just you and Kara." Chloe said in urgency. "I don't know how to tell you this but—."

Clark's eyes grew larger. "Callie. He's going after Callie."

"You know?"

He nodded.

"How?"

"Since she decided to stay in the Phantom Zone. How long have you known?"

"Since the time I walked in on you, Lois, and Callie playing Guitar Hero together. You really couldn't not see it. It all made sense and when I confronted her about it she confirmed it. But you—you didn't say anything?" She asked, surprised.

"Did you say anything when you found out about my secret?"

"No, not that I didn't try to coax it out of you a time or two. You weren't ready to tell me."

"Exactly. I had my moments too of wanting her to tell me, but in the end it's her decision. I wanted to respect that. She didn't want me to know."

"It's not that she doesn't, Clark. She feels she can't."

"I know that, too."

"Clark, we need to warn her."

Clark's eyes stayed in a widened panic as a new realization came to him. "I sent her with Lois."

He disappeared from Watchtower at a pace even unbelievable to him as he sped into the night toward Lois' apartment.