Chapter 4

It was a long night of explaining things to Chloe. They left out the part about being from the future, as agreed. As for when Lois found out the secret, they said it was only a few days ago. The story was, after the two Kryptonians attacked after the meteor shower Lois was relentless with trying find Kal-el, the one that they were looking for. The topic then moved on to Milton Fine and what he really was. With Chloe all caught up they would have a better chance at dealing with Brainiac.

It was a few days later that in Metropolis a group of armed men were robbing a bank and had taken hostages.. A squad of cop cars were gathered around the front of the bank, led by Maggie Sawyer. She was currently trying to negotiate with the masked men for the safety of the hostages.

"We've made our demands clear." One of the masked men was speaking with Maggie over the phone. "We want a car and safe passage out of here. We will call you and let you know where you can collect the hostages. And if we even smell you following is we will start killing these people one by one."

"I'm working on that," Maggie said to him over the phone. "This isn't an easy request, there are some people who don't see eye to eye with me here."

"Then you can tell those people they are about to get these sacred civilians killed. Or maybe you aren't taking us seriously and need a demonstration." The masked man who seemed to be the leader hung up the phone and turned to one of his men, nodding.

One of the men grabbed one of the hostages and she screamed as he dragged her to the door. He opened the door with the hostage in front of him like a shield, a gunning pointing at her head. She was terrified with tears streaming down her face, thinking she was going to die.

Then, a red and blue blur threw the masked man into one of the cop cars. The officers, including Maggie looked on in confusion before noticing someone floating down in front of the bank, the scared woman in his arms. He was wearing a blue suit with a red cape in back. He had a red and yellow belt on with an S on his chest. Judging by his face, Maggie thought that this man seemed familiar but couldn't figure out were.

He put the woman down as she stared at him in disbelief. "Are you alright?" he asked. She could only nod considering she was unable to find the words to speak. "Good. These officers will take care of you." He looked up at Maggie, recognizing her immediately.

He sped into the bank and very quickly dealt with the robbers. It was about a minute later that the hostages ran out of the building and straight for the police. Clark walked out not long after and over to Maggie. She and the other officers had their guns aimed at him.

"Stop!" she shouted. "Put your hands in the air!"

He didn't stop until he reached Maggie. "I'm not your enemy, ma'am. I'm only here to help. Those men have been dealt with and are inside, ready for you to arrest them."

"Who...or what are you?" She questioned.

"I'm a friend." Clark smiled at her before flying up into the sky and away. Everyone looked up in shock, not understanding how any of this was even possible.

Back in Smallville, Lex was watching the news in the Luthor Mansion. There was a story about the mysterious man who stopped the robbery today. His face was clear as day on the screen. Lex stared blankly at the screen. He knew who it was right away.

For the longest time he had his suspicions about Clark. All the secrecy and mysterious rescues. There was something different about Clark and Lex knew it. Now, he had the proof right in front of him.

Why? They were friends weren't they? After all this time spent keeping secrets, why would he reveal himself now? What was with the suit? Why had Clark never told him? So many questions.

That night, Clark was in his loft. He was reading the story Lois had written for the Inquisitor, about him. The mysterious hero was now called Superman. He grinned at that. The sound of footsteps echoed through the loft and he looked up to see who it was. It was Lex Luthor. He had expected this might happen, but he wasn't looking forward to it.

"Clark," Lex said. "Am I interrupting something? You seem to be reading about this mysterious guy who showed up in Metropolis today."

"It's an interesting story that Lois wrote. Funny, I never pictured her going into journalism, not like her cousin. What is it they are calling this guy? Super...man?" Lex was looking right at Clark, who never took his eyes off him.

"He saved those people at that bank. No one was hurt. I guess it was lucky that he showed up," Clark said.

"Maybe. But you know, this guy. Eerily similar to those two that came out of the ship Lana saw, don't you think?"

"Those two hurt a lot of people. This guy saved people and criminals were arrested." Clark stood up. He walked over to the window, where Lex was standing.

"You know this guy was all over the news." Lex said. "...Do you remember when we were here a few years ago? This is the exact spot I told you our friendship was going to be the stuff of legend."

"I remember," said Clark. "That was before I found out you were constantly looking into me and my family. That made it hard to keep this friendship going."

"Your secrets did that." Lex replied.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lex was finally giving up the charade. "Didn't you trust me? I would have protected you."

"I don't need, nor did I ever ask for your protection Lex. I tried to be your friend but you never gave me a reason to trust you. The fact is, as much as you have tried to fight becoming your father, that is exactly what you have turned into."

That cut Lex deep. Mostly because he knew it was true. "Clark, I once told you that your friendship kept that darkness at bay. You inspired me with your innate goodness. Then you turned your back on me." Lex pointed at Clark's chest. "Exactly when did you decide that I was beyond saving?"

"No Lex." Clark said. "I'm done taking the blame for who you are today. You made your own choices. I didn't make you do any of the things that you did."

"You really think I had a choice," Lex raised his voice as he walked in the opposite direction before stopping. "My father saw to that. He wanted me to be just like him."

"You always have a choice Lex. I don't know how many times I tried to tell you that." Clark was raising his voice now too. "The problem is you wanted something your father was never going to give you. In your mind, if you just managed to prove yourself he might love you like you always wanted him to."

Lex looked over at Clark, not saying a word. "It was never going to be enough Lex, but I think you knew that. Your obsession with your father made you just like him. And it's time you admit that."

"Since we are talking about fathers, let's talk about yours. Jonathan Kent was always so protective of you and your family's secrets. So Imagine my surprise at seeing you on t.v., Superman. Which one of yours led you to do that? Kal-el. You are the one those two were looking for, aren't you?"

"And you can take some of the credit for that Lex. You and the Teagues. You started messing with something that you didn't understand and was never meant for you. And that brought them here." Clark said with authority. "You wanted those crystals because you're obsessed with power and control."

"I was trying to protect the world!" Lex shouted. "Those two are proof enough that there are threats we are not ready for."

"Don't play the savior to justify your actions Lex. It was always about your own superiority complex. You never cared for the people you had to step on to get your way. They were just pawns."

"Well since you care so much about people, let me ask you this? Do you plan on telling them that their mysterious hero is an alien from another planet? One who has been secretly living in Kansas. Or are you going to keep your secrets just like always? Now what would those people think if they knew their hero was a liar?" Lex fired back. "Maybe I should tell them?"

"You're not going to tell them Lex," Clark said calmly, walking over to where Lex was standing by the couch.

"And why not?"

"That would be too easy. You couldn't live with yourself if you did that, could you?" Clark looked him in the eye. "Not when you can prove you are better than me. No, you're not going to tell anyone."

Lex stood there silent for a moment. He finally nodded and turned to leave. When he reached the stairs he stopped, before turning back to Clark. "You were my friend. We never had to be enemies."

"And you were my friend. I never wanted to be enemies. But as long as your obsessions threaten innocent people, know that I am going to be there to stop you." Clark replied. It was at that, Lex finally left.