Chapter 4: Return

Clark hugged the little girl, protecting her ears from the machine gun fire. The sound of the explosions and the screams were tearing at his guts, and his inability to get the little girl to safety was making him mad.

He heard the soldiers enter the house and knock over what little furniture there was. He knew they were surrounded. The village he had been staying in had just been attacked and the family he was staying with had done everything they could to evacuate. Clark should never have been this close to the civil war. He had been warned not to expose himself so much. But he had to do what had to be done.

He let go of the little girl he was holding and crouched down to her level. The little girl was terrified, but she wasn't crying. Not yet. Yves had told him that his daughter was brave. He was right.

"Davina, I keep them busy and I come back for you, I promise. Your mom and dad are waiting for us outside. Hold on. "

The little girl nodded and hid in a corner. Clark threw a blanket over her and stood ready to greet the first man. Whoever came through the door received a left hook. Clark grabbed his gun with his other hand and swung the butt of his gun at him to knock him out. The noise drew the attention of the others and Clark pulled them away from Davina, to avoid putting her in danger.

He had to be careful. He had no protection and he was no longer bulletproof. Two men approached their unconscious colleague. In hiding, Clark used his gun as if it were a baseball bat. Holding it by the end of the barrel, he hit one in the head and threw himself at the other before he could fire. He avoided a stabbing blow, which he blocked by grabbing his wrist and disarming it with a heavy blow. With his other arm, he pressed his throat, praying that he would lose consciousness soon enough. But strangling someone was time consuming.

Hearing no further noise, he returned to Davina and took her in his arms, then left the house through a window. Now he had to get to the edge of the forest safely. He knew that there the little girl's parents had organized an evacuation and this was their chance to get out of this hell.

He heard noises behind him and knew he had to leave as soon as possible. The explosions were getting closer and it was pure chaos. In front of him, a man and his son had just been blown up by shellfire. He hugged the little girl even tighter.

"Close your eyes," he whispered to the girl. "It's all right. "

Walking along the wall of the house, he waited for an opportunity to change their position. It came when he saw a tank coming around the corner, hiding them from the soldiers' view. Clark ran toward other houses. He managed to stay out of sight for several yards until a soldier spotted him from another position. He was almost there. He would reach the point in the village near the edge of the forest in a few seconds of running. Just a little longer.

When he got there, he stopped abruptly and threw himself to the side to avoid being seen by other soldiers in front of them. He put the little girl down.

"Listen to me carefully. I'm going to take care of them, and when I tell you to, you run towards the forest, without looking back. Do you understand? Don't hesitate. Trust me. "

He kissed the little girl on the forehead and waited for the soldiers in front of them to pass to attack those who had seen him. In a few seconds, he neutralized the two men and made sure that they would not get up to fire at them. Then he looked around.

He was exhausted, out of breath and completely on edge. He checked that the way to the forest was clear. He then ordered Davina to run. His scream gave away his position. But he knew which way the others would come. He caught the first one to arrive, jamming his weapon and grabbing his knife from his belt, he slashed his torso and stooped to aim at the back of the knee of the second soldier who arrived. The latter screamed in pain as he fired a spray of bullets into the air and Clark cut off his fingers.

But he didn't hear the third soldier coming because of the gunfire. It was his instinct that saved him. The machete cut him in the left side. He lay on the ground, vulnerable, while the other soldier brandished his weapon over him. He rolled to the side to dodge as the weapon slammed into one of the soldiers on the ground, who screamed in pain as he bled to death. The pain that burned in Clark's ribs prevented him from acting quickly. This time the machete slashed his neck and he fell to the ground again. He had to pull himself together if he wanted to stay alive. In the back of his mind he imagined Bruce pulling him up by his bootstraps for a moment.

He shielded his eyes with his arm and threw sand in the face of his enemy. Without waiting to see if his distraction had worked, he kicked the other man in the crotch and he fell back, dropping his weapon. Clark lunged at him and punched him in the face. One blow, two blows, three blows. He beat him almost to death. He didn't stop until he remembered why he was here.

He heard men shouting behind him. He ran back to the woods as fast as he could. He could hear the shots flying by him and he let out his breath when he finally reached the cover of the trees.

"Mr. Kent! This way, quickly! "

Clark moved more by instinct than by will and was quickly supported by the man in question.

"I can't thank you enough for picking up my little Davina, she's fine. Thank you so much. "

Clark nodded vaguely as Yves led him on.

They walked several hundred yards before reaching an old Jeep with Yves' family in it.

"We need to get you out of here before the militia shoots you. We're all counting on you, Mister Kent. "

"Clark, Yves. Call me Clark. "

The reporter winced as Aminata, his wife, applied pressure to his throat and ribs.

"Where are the others?" asked Clark.

"Tianet and his group went to warn the neighboring villages. Roland took the others to the nearest refugee camp. As for us, we'll go to another village further east, to my brother's house. "

"Come with me. It's not safe for you here. "

"And abandon the others? No way. This is our country, we have to fight for it too. "

Clark nodded with a weak smile. He really hoped it would be okay for them.

"I understand. "

Clark bid farewell to Yves and his family at the entrance to the city where he could leave the country. The military were there to control the comings and goings and, thanks to some cleverness on the part of his contacts, he managed to get into the city. He had to get to his hotel unseen to change his bloodstained clothes and retrieve his belongings, especially his passport.

He entered the alley that led to the service entrance of the hotel. He knew that his contact in the city, Mohamed, had prepared everything for his departure. But the man surely didn't expect him to be hurt. He had this confirmation when he opened the door and pulled him inside, widening his eyes.

"A car is waiting for you, I'll take care of the rest. Be quick or you'll miss your flight! "

Clark complied. Mohamed helped him dress his wounds and pack his things. In ten minutes, watch in hand, they were off.

The announcements. The sound of suitcases. The constant hubbub of people. The heels on the tiles. The escalators. The jet engines. The alarms. The bells. The screams. The crying. The fighting.

Clark was about to crack. He had barely set foot on the terminal when he was assaulted by a volume of noise and sound he couldn't filter out. He was tired. He hadn't slept in days because his head hurt so much, and with the arrival of the militia, his body was struggling even more to keep from collapsing.

"Smallville! I'm glad to see you! "

Lois punched him in the shoulder with a friendly fist.

"Hey, Clark! "

Jimmy, to his relief, just gave him a check.

"You look like hell, are you okay?" said Lois, concerned.

"It's been a rough few days. I just want to go home, take a shower and sleep. "

"For the shower, you certainly need it ! "

Lois had said that to lighten the mood. Clark knew it. But he couldn't put on an act to reassure her. Jimmy put a hand on her shoulder.

"Leave him alone, Lois. I think he needs it. Let's just get him home. "

Clark didn't speak the whole way home. He was at his wit's end. He was exhausted. He barely said hello to Jimmy and Lois when they left him at the bottom of his building. He wanted to be quiet. To do as he said, shower and sleep. Just sleep would be enough. A whole night of sleep. If only his head could let him sleep for more than two hours without waking up haunted by unpleasant images or because his powers were coming back and manifesting themselves in waves.

When he had been a child, his senses had been the first to grow. His hearing, his sense of smell, his vision, all began to change at once. He had never been so scared in his life, or so hurt. Of course, he had noticed the differences, just like now. But at that time he was a child who didn't know yet that he was from a dead world. And his powers were not as strong as they are now.

He dreaded the strongest crisis. If it was going to be more violent than the first one, his experience would do him no good in controlling himself. He had to go somewhere where he wouldn't risk hurting people and exposing himself. He grabbed his phone and typed quickly on the keyboard.

Back to Metropolis. Need secure isolation. CK.

He dropped his phone and ran off to take a shower. The last one he'd taken had been at Wayne Manor, and it felt like he'd been gone for months. Boy, he was really in lack of sleep.

His shower was quick. He was too tired to linger. He dried himself off and sighed when he saw his wounds. He had nothing at home to take care of himself. Why have it, when you were Superman? That would teach him to be too arrogant. Like what, all was not acquired, including the invulnerability.

He rummaged through his belongings, taped tissues to his wounds and consulted his phone.

On my way. BW.

Bruce had a plan. Bruce always had plans. By always imagining the worst-case scenarios, the Bat had created a multitude of contingencies for eventualities that, for the most part, might not happen. That made him feel a little better. He packed his things and waited, struggling not to fall into unconsciousness. But the doorbell rang. Clark did not invite him to join him. He went straight downstairs and surprised the billionaire by violently opening the door.

"Clark?! "

The reporter grabbed him by the arm, turning him around and urging him into the car. Bruce didn't ask any more questions, he just drove off. It was after several minutes of silence and because Clark was sticking his head oddly against the window that the Bat asked questions. He was worried. Clark's pale complexion, his eyes reddened with fatigue, that strange bandage on his neck that hadn't been shaved in days. All was wrong, that was for sure.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on? "

"My powers are coming back. "

"Can't you control them if they show up? "

"No. "

Bruce sped up. Clark was usually more talkative than this. This was even more disturbing. And if he ever lost control of his powers, it would be catastrophic.

"Computer, assess his condition. "

"Critical condition, hurt-"

Clark manually turned off the computer and massaged his temples.

"Too noisy. "

"Clark, if you don't tell me what you have, I'm going to turn the computer back on. "

"Later. "

The Kryptonian closed his eyes. Bruce tried to stay focused on the road and regretted not driving the Batmobile. He had a time bomb on board and if Clark confirmed it, it was even worse. Especially since he didn't know what exactly was going on. Clark clamped his hands over his eyes and screamed. It was so sudden that Bruce turned sharply and realigned himself on the road, then sped up. He couldn't stop. He couldn't take his eyes off the road or he would kill them both. But Clark was suffering beside him. He'd never seen him like this.

He screamed for several minutes before he calmed down, his crisis over. Bruce saw him momentarily pass out. His adrenaline was pumping. He had to get Clark to safety, do what he could to calm him down. But he didn't know what to do with a Kryptonian. So he just drove as fast as he could.

He slammed on the brakes in the courtyard of the Manor and rushed to get Clark out of the car. The Bunker. They might not have time to get to the Cave and the safe room he had originally planned. The old bunker at the Mansion would do, hopefully.

He almost dragged him through the underground corridors and reached the bunker. He laid Clark against the wall and went to close the door, locking them both in. Bruce didn't want to leave him alone. He knew he was risking a lot, but he couldn't help it.

"Clark! Talk to me! "

He just grunted in response. He couldn't even hold his head up. He moved away from Bruce, holding out his arm to put some distance between them. He didn't want to hurt him.

"Stay away! "

The Bat did as he said. Until he saw the Man of Steel bend over and scream in pain. And there was nothing he could do. He just had to watch him there on the ground, suffering in agony as blood poured from his ears and nose. It was unbearable. With his face disfigured by pain, Clark didn't seem like Clark anymore. His screams were no longer human. He was nothing but pain.

That was too much for Bruce. He threw himself to the ground and picked Clark up, holding him against him even though he was gesticulating. The more he screamed, the tighter he held him, cradling him in his arms.

"Clark, I'm here. Just hold on. It'll pass. "

The words he murmured imperceptibly seemed to calm the Kryptonian, who fell unconscious a few minutes later.

Bruce picked him up and carried him to his room, laying him on the bed. He cleaned Clark's face and began to remove his clothes to examine his wounds. He reached into one of his secure drawers for his portable scanner and analyzed Clark's condition. The data was not good. He had numerous torn eardrums, signs of fatigue, two deep cuts in his neck and flank, a few bruises and cracked ribs. What the hell had happened? His wounds were fresh and they hadn't even been treated properly.

He removed the makeshift bandages and set about disinfecting and stitching them up. He was really lucky he didn't die of a stupid infection or bleeding. Bruce was angry. Angry that he had put himself in danger. He was just a reporter, not a war reporter or a military man! He would bet his life that he had taken such risks to save people.

When he was done, he slipped Clark into bed. He wanted to stay. To make sure he was okay, that he wouldn't have any more seizures. At least, he was trying to convince himself that was why he wanted to stay. Clark's life didn't seem to be in danger, as long as he got some rest. But for now, he had other things to worry about. What a load of crap. He had a business dinner in an hour in Metropolis that he couldn't afford to miss.

He left the room and found Alfred in the hallway.

"Clark will stay here. He's unstable. Don't take any chances. Any problems, call me. "

"Yes, sir. Here's another outfit for tonight. "

"Thank you. "

Bruce collected his things and changed in his room. His charcoal blue jacket and pants had a few drops of blood on them. He quickly undressed and prepared himself to be presentable for his dinner. He grabbed his stained clothes in passing and gave them to Alfred, who had become a professional at catching clothes. Then, reluctantly, he left his Manor.

Bruce couldn't take it anymore. He had waited all evening to get back to the Mansion and had taken it upon himself to be pleasant. Playing the Bruce Wayne CEO-Playboy had been more complicated that night. He had checked his phone as much as he could, knowing full well that he couldn't have missed a message or a call if Alfred had sent one. It was a tic, it was stupid. Clark was making him too different. Clark was changing him.

Alfred opened the door for him when he arrived.

"Mr. Clark is still sleeping. Everything went well. "

"Thank you, Alfred. Take the night off. The Bat won't be out tonight. "

"Understand, Master Bruce. "

Bruce noted Alfred's slight chuckle and suspected that it had nothing to do with him being quiet tonight. He went into his room, where he had left Clark to rest.

He had moved, during sleeping. The sight made Bruce hot and the thoughts that went through his head were inappropriate. Clark was sleeping on his stomach. His messy brown curls fell over his face, the muscles in his back rose with his breathing and the bruises had disappeared, a sign that his regeneration was active. The sheets of the bed no longer covered him. The curvature of his buttocks stood out under his boxer shorts and if Bruce had not taken the time to pay attention to it while undressing him, this time, he could not miss it. He caressed Clark's hair with his fingertips for a few minutes before resigning himself to let him sleep. He needed the rest.

Bruce couldn't wait to hear what had happened in those five days. How he'd gotten hurt. What he had seen, what was going on there. He had an idea, sure, but he preferred to know the facts. He had to stop himself from imagining what it might have been like. Then he turned his attention to Clark. His steady breath, the curves of his body, his perfect skin. The traces of Doomsday's wounds had even disappeared. Reassured, the Bat walked away and went to bed.

Clark woke up feeling great. He hadn't felt this good in a long time. He felt his strength had returned and his regeneration had done its job. His powers had returned. He turned to the man who was still sleeping next to him. He knew he owed him a great deal, and that he would ask for an explanation. He took a deep breath, smelling the ever-present scent of Bruce in the room.

With a smile, he went into the bathroom. He removed his now useless bandages, which Bruce seemed to have made for him and which were of far better quality than his own. He went under the shower, slightly tense. Bruce had been very quick to show up the night before, and Clark wondered if the man had been hanging around Metropolis on purpose. If he had, he was glad he did.

Bruce joined Clark in the kitchen, where he expected to find him. He sipped his coffee while checking his phone and greeted him as he entered the room. The farmer's son was still wearing his usual style of jeans, plaid shirt and white T-shirt. Alfred was there too, making them breakfast.

"You put your glasses back on. "

"It's easier when my vision can adjust to the correction of the glasses. "

Bruce frowned slightly.

"Are you wearing real glasses? Why? "

"Because they distort slightly. And you tend to try on other people's glasses too much. Glasses without any correction raise questions. "

Alfred set down their plates and left the room to let them talk. Bruce looked closely at Clark's face. He lingered on his bright blue eyes, his square jaw, his untidy curls. Then he noticed that Clark had shaved and that it made no difference whether he had a beard or not. It didn't take away any of his charm.

"You must have questions. "

Bruce came back down to earth. He thought for a few seconds about how he was going to broach the subject and preferred to be direct. If the Kryptonian brought up the subject again, it was because he wanted to get rid of it quickly.

"What happened there? "

"It's the civil war, Bruce. What more do you want me to say? "

The renowned detective saw the muscles in his neck tense.

"Clark, you're not a soldier, you're a reporter. You're out of your league. "

The dark-haired man looked him straight in the eye.

"Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone. I knew what I was risking by going. I've traveled a lot, Bruce. I learned new languages, new cultures, new beliefs. Some people were poorer than others. Some were richer. But to know that, you have to go and meet the people who actually represent that population. My article would have had no value if I had not gone to see the facts on the ground. If I had not reported what I saw. Because what is happening there is reality. Between knowing it and living it, it's different. So yes, I went there without my powers. I went as any man on this earth, mortal and vulnerable. I mingled with the people. "

Bruce agreed with Clark's point of view. But he couldn't accept the fact that he had exposed himself so dangerously.

"You didn't just mingle, if I see the state you came back in. And again, I didn't pick you up at the airport. "

Clark pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes and sighed.

"I had a contact in the town where I arrived. I told him I'd check out the little villages around here and come back on the last day. In the meantime, there was Doomsday and the rest...Never mind. When I arrived, I went directly to the village where I had planned to come. I explained the purpose of my presence and was welcomed with open arms. During the first two days, they shared with me their knowledge and testimonies about the war. They told me that they had received many threats from the militia and that they lived in fear. "

Clark paused and took a sip of coffee. Bruce waited for the next part.

"On the evening of the second day, the first group of soldiers came. As an example, they killed a dozen people and urged the others to leave within a certain time. The surrounding villages received the same preferential treatment. The man who was staying with me and his family explained to me that they wanted to fight. While we had arranged a meeting with other people from the surrounding villages, the one where I was living was attacked. I saw dozens of people that I could not save die in front of me. I saw their strike force. On our side, we had no weapons. I fought. I was wounded. I was scared. Then I was quickly brought back. It all happened very quickly. But when you don't have time this is what happens. "

Bruce clenched his jaw. He could only imagine what Clark must be feeling. The horrors he'd seen. And the guilt that must have overwhelmed him that he couldn't do anything as the Man of Steel, without the cape. Superman couldn't take sides in a war.

"Did you fight for anyone? "

Clark's eyebrows widened in surprise at the question.

"I could only save the little girl of the man who was staying with me. She'd stayed with them when we talked to other people in the village. "

Bruce had suspected as much. Clark was still Clark, with or without powers. Powers that, by the way, seemed to have returned.

"How are you doing with your powers? "

Clark seemed to relax at the sudden change of subject. He answered almost too eagerly:

"Totally back. I'm not having any more... seizures, if that's what you mean. "

Seizures where Clark was screaming to death. He hadn't specifically looked to see if he'd have them again, but he was glad he hadn't.

"I didn't think it would hurt to get your powers back. Why didn't you say anything? "

"I thought I could handle it alone. I was wrong. In itself, it doesn't really hurt, but when they manifest themselves without any control, your own senses assault you. The brain can't handle the flow of information. That's what hurts. "

"You were bleeding, Clark. "

"I know. I know. Thank you. For taking a chance on helping me. "

Bruce nodded. He sincerely hoped that a situation like that would never happen again. He couldn't imagine what Clark must have gone through as a child. He snapped out of his thoughts when Clark stood up.

"I have a busy day ahead of me. I'm going to go to Watchtower to get my suit and tell the others, and then I'll go to the Fortress, make sure everything's okay. I'll go back to work tomorrow, I've already told my boss. "

He paused briefly, seeming to think about what to say next. Bruce suspected as much.

"Thank you for everything, Bruce. I owe you a lot. "

"Are you going to leave? "

"Yes, unless you ask me to stay. "

He thought about the request. They were both vigilantes. Bruce had always told himself that he didn't have time for that kind of relationship, that it was a waste of time. That clinging would put the other in danger and serve as a weak point. But to cling to the strongest man in the world, was almost like getting rid of these potentialities. And then, he had to admit to himself, he had loved being with Clark.

"Come here anytime you want. You're welcome. "

The smile that lit up Clark's face made Bruce melt more than he would have liked. The brown-haired man cleared his plate before leaving the room in his trademark gust of wind.

Clark looked at the screens in front of him. J'onn consulted the data just as seriously, before turning to the Kryptonian, a slight sneer on his lips. The Man of Steel remarked to himself that the Martian and the Bat should compete in the field of inexpressiveness.

"Everything looks good to me, Kal. I'm happy for you. "

"Thank you, J'onn. "

The aliens embraced as Black Canary looked on in puzzlement. Black Canary walked towards them in her usual wiggle, only to be overtaken by an electric current of air. Flash stopped at Clark's level and hugged him:

"I'm so happy for you, Sup! What was it like to be human? Nah, forget it, we'll have a drink about it! Don't worry, I'll make us a special dosage. Well, I was just blowing by, I'm expected at a crime scene! See you guys later! "

Barry had spoken so quickly that no one could answer him. He left as quickly as he had come.

"When Barry says he's blowing by, it's not a play on words," Dinah joked as she greeted them. "I'm glad, Clark. What are you going to do now? "

"I'm waiting for Kara. We need to go to the Fortress together. "

"Why don't we meet you there? "

Clark shrugged. He did have an idea, but preferred not to share it. If Kara wanted to talk about her personal problems at the League, she would have. The fake blonde didn't try to dig. She knew she wouldn't get any more information. She changed the subject herself.

"Has anyone seen Red Tornado? I need to talk to him about an idea he had for my necklace. Maybe Vibe will join us. "

"Red Tornado is in the tech lab already," J'onn replied. "But I haven't seen Vibe. "

"Okay, thanks. "

Dinah left the room and Clark and J'onn went to the teleportation room to wait for Kara. Clark wondered if the Martian had any information about her, but he didn't ask. The Manhunter was a man who knew how to hold his tongue.

It didn't take Kara long to get there. They didn't linger at the Watchtower and took a teleporter to personalized coordinates near the Fortress. At the time, this surprised the Kryptonian, who didn't have to wait too long for answers. As soon as they were inside the Fortress, Kryptonian technology assailed them and Kelex proceeded to do extensive examinations on them. The Fortress only did this when it detected a problem.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Kal. I really am. "

He heard the tears in her voice more than he saw them. He walked over to his cousin and hugged her. She immediately burst into tears, and he didn't even have to say a word. She knew she could rely on him. When she spoke, he listened, without interrupting her.

"My powers... they're fading. It's been going on for months. I didn't tell you before because... I didn't want to add to your problems. I'm sorry, Kal. I won't be able to help you soon. I'm losing my ability to fly... and my strength. I'm less invulnerable than I used to be. Large caliber bullets can hurt me now. I've been searching the Fortress with Kelex and Kelor for a long time, but even the regeneration chamber can't help, it would have to constantly regenerate my cells. "

Clark hugged his cousin even tighter, to give her time to breathe, and to give himself time to take it in. Then he asked his first question.

"Why doesn't this affect me, too? "

"I asked J'onn for help. He thinks it's because I started growing up under the red sun and the effects of the yellow sun were reduced because of that. It's even more complex and theoretical, but I was too crushed to listen to it all. "

He affectionately stroked her hair to comfort her as best he could.

"Is there any danger to your life? "

She dried her tears with the cuff of her suit. The test beeps sounded and the screens displayed the results. Clark's were correct, but Kara's less so.

"No, apparently. I'll become like the average human. "

The Kryptonian didn't hide his immense relief.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine. It's not so bad, being without powers. "

"But I won't be able to help you anymore Kal. I've seen what it's like to be you, to have the Fortress to deal with. Besides, I did what I could. Krypto tolerated me, but I think he would be happy to see you again. He stayed in Kandor's part, with Kelor. "

Kara broke away from him and smiled. Then she handed him the crystal representing the symbol of their family, which was the key to the Fortress.

"Take it. I won't need it anymore. I'll leave you to it. I'm glad you're okay. "

She hugged him tightly before heading out the door.

"Take care of yourself, Kara. I'll check on you. "

She waved to him before flying off into the Arctic cold. He figured she must have just enough energy to make one trip.

Clark stood for a few minutes taking in the information and reviewing the results of the Fortress's examinations on his cousin. All of the Kryptonian computer's findings matched what she had said. There was nothing to be done.

He closed the screens and ran a full diagnostic on the state of the Fortress, as usual. Then he entered the heart of the building, where Krypto, the giant white Kryptonian wolf, was waiting for him. Krypto gave him a warm welcome by jumping on him and covering his face with his tongue. Clark always laughed when his dogs did that. Maybe someday he'd get Shelby and Krypto to meet, so they wouldn't get bored. The wolf was the guard of the Fortress and guarded it so well that even Kara had to be careful, because she was just the guest, even though she was part of the El house.

Superman then checked out the rooms, the contents of which were reserved for him alone, and visited the various amazing creatures he had collected in addition to and sheltered in the building. Baka took the opportunity to play with Krypto. He checked with the two robotic sentries, Kelor and Kelex, to make sure they were okay and also checked on their condition. By the time he had finished his checks and visits, more than half of his day had passed. He had taken longer than he had anticipated.

He took off from the Fortress and headed for Smallville. He loved arriving with his back to Martha, who always managed to be surprised after so many years. And as this day was no exception, she jumped up and shouted as she washed her vegetables.

"Clark! How many times have I told you not to scare me like that! "

If her voice was scolding him, the smile that lit up her face was only a reflection of her son's smile. She kissed him, looking at his suit with pride.

"I'm happy for you my darling! When did you get them back? I was afraid you'd leave without them in Africa. "

He went off to change into a supervisor's outfit and came back to answer, finishing closing the buttons on his sleeves.

"Don't worry, Mom. It went well. "

He bent down to pet Shelby, who lay on its back for Clark to stroke its belly. He didn't say anything but he could feel his mother's concern. He quickly changed the subject.

"When are you going to California? "

"Next week. Aren't you staying with your friend? "

"No, I wasn't going to take up residence with him. "

His mother looked thoughtful but didn't ask any more questions.

"When are you going back to work? "

"Tomorrow. I have to go and finish my article. Tomorrow night we'll have dinner together? "

His mother smiled widely and kissed him on the cheek.

"You know you don't have to ask. "

He took her in his arms and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll be off then. See you tomorrow night, Mom. "

He left as he always did, like a draught.

Clark spent some time in Gotham, before returning home to Metropolis. It was already late and all the stores would soon close, but he was very quick to buy classic clothes, both light and warm, from shirts to jackets and coats. He also bought some blankets and a little food. He was loaded down with big bags, but for a man of his build, it didn't seem to attract much attention. That was good. He didn't like attracting attention.

He was dropped off in a cab at the same place where he had taken the one to Bruce's manor after his emergence from the water. He remembered perfectly the route he had taken in the opposite direction when he was with the homeless. People he soon saw near a brazier.

"Good evening, I'm looking for a man named Bob. "

Three people near the brazier turned to look at him, sizing him up. Clark looked around. There were other homeless people everywhere and they came closer.

"What do you want with Old Bob? "

"Thank him. "

Then Clark saw him. Bob frowned as he faced him, seeming to search his memory to recognize him.

"I'm Clark. You fished me out last time. I came to thank you. This is for you and your friends."

He set down all the bags. Bob opened his eyes wide, then opened the bags one by one, taking out the stuff and giving it to his companions.

"All this?! "

He grabbed the Kryptonian's face and seemed to examine it carefully before releasing it.

"Clark! I remember. The naked-ass-man who wanted a damn cab! "

The journalist blushed with shame at this memory. He felt blessed that no one knew about this, except Bruce, who must have had a pretty good idea that he had to get some clothes.

"I just came to thank you. I hope you find this useful. "

Seeing that they were all busy dividing up the stuff, Clark turned and walked away, pleased with his good deed. He had only one word anyway, and whether the man remembered him or not, it made no difference to him. While he was down the street, he heard Bob call out to him.

"Hey, Clark! If you ever need anything, anything at all, come see us! "

Clark smiled and nodded, glad to be back. He had a feeling that his good deed might one day be of service to him. This time, he didn't take a cab again. He was gone in a second, happy to be going home.

INDEX

Baka : A blue humanoid creature that can take the form of a dinosaur monster, and that comes from Subterranea. Superman takes him in the Fortress of Solitude.

Jimmy Olsen : Colleague photographer and reporter at the Daily Planet.

Kandor : It is a Kryptonian city which was for a time totally locked in a bottle by Brainiac, who wanted to appropriate all its knowledge. Superman protects it in this version, just as in the "Justice" volume where it is found in its entirety in a part of the Fortress of Solitude

Kelor/Kelex : These are the sentry robots of the Fortress

Krypto : In this version (as in the comic book "Justice"), Krypto has more the appearance of a big massive white wolf, who has a superior intelligence compared to Earth animals.

Red Tornado : A red and gold superhero, a robot, who has the ability to create tornadoes and control them. He is also an engineer

Vibe : aka Cisco Ramon. A metahuman capable of controlling all types of vibrations. He is also an engineer and scientist, who worked for a while at StarLabs according to the versions.