Sorry it's been a while, had a bit of writer's block with this chapter. I'll try to update more frequently.

Metropolis

Morning

Tess Mercer was truly evil, Clark decided. There was no other explanation as to why she would make him cover Godfrey's rally with Cat of all people. Was this Hell, Clark wondered.

"He makes a lot of noise, doesn't he?"

Surprised, Clark turned around to see Paige standing him.

"Paige," he said in surprise.

"Hey Kal," Paige greeted.

"It's um Clark actually," Clark said once he swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Clark Kent huh?" Paige said once she read his press badge. "I always figured Kal was a nickname."

"I was…going through a rough time," Clark said lamely before coughing. "I take it you're not a fan?"

"Of Godfrey? Been in this city for a week, not impressed," Paige said dryly. "I take it you're not one either."

"Let's just say he reminds me of someone else I used to know," Clark said vaguely, not elaborating.

"Clark, we're here to work, not socialize," Cat called out to him from where she was standing a few feet away.

"Hate to say it, but she's right," Clark told Paige with an apologetic smile.

"Catch up after this?" Paige asked.

"Yeah…yeah, sure," Clark said after some hesitation.

What could it hurt after all?

"We know who our real heroes are and they are not these faceless mutants. These aberrations who skulk in the shadows," Godfrey was saying as Clark joined Cat in the crowd. "Their powers serve their vigilante agenda.

The crowd, including Cat, broke into applause as Clark shot a dark look at Godfrey. Yes, exactly like someone he had once known. It was almost like it was four years ago and Clark was listening to one of Lex's delusional rants.

Unknowingly, Paige was having similar thoughts to Clark. However, she was disturbed by the parallels between Godfrey and Kyle. Both fanatics, she thought sadly.

"And what about this Blur? A freak. A pariah so disfigured he doesn't dare show his face in public. Is this the kind of hero you want your children believing in? I say 'no'."

As the crowd broke into applause, Clark looked around with dismay. Was this how the people he saved really saw him, he wondered.

"I say 'stop the menace'," Godfrey said.

As the crowd broke into applause, a billboard was unveiled behind him. It had the words 'stop the menace' on it with a House of El symbol crossed out. But as the crane moved, something went wrong and the billboard began to wobble. To Clark and Paige's horror, the billboard began falling. As the crowd tried running, Clark began speeding towards the front of the crowd. But he didn't get far when it suddenly stopped. Clark looked on in shock as the billboard lifted, revealing a blond woman hovering in the air as she held it.

It was Kara.

Clark could only stare in shock as the crowd applauded. For a moment, Kara and Clark locked eyes and she smiled, giving him a wink before she sped off.

"Talk about girl power," Paige muttered, staring after the blond Kryptonian in a bit of awe.

Daily Planet

Later that morning

"Did you know that girl Clark?" Cat asked Clark as they sat their desks.

"I met Paige briefly six years ago," Clark said absently as he searched the articles on Kara.

"Not the girl you were talking to, the blond vigilante. She looked at you like she knew you," Cat noted.

"I've never met her before," Clark lied. "Maybe I just remind her of someone she knew. Or she's a flirt."

"Ugg, just what we need, a flirting vigilante," Cat groaned.

"She did save our lives," Clark said in defense of his cousin.

"And then left without saying a word! Besides, how do we know she didn't cause that accident!? Stop being so naïve Clark. These so called heroes are only out for themselves," Cat insisted.

"That's one way of looking at things," the two looked up to see Paige standing a few feet from their desks. "Of course, some people like to form their own opinions instead of parroting whatever propaganda they hear."

"Paige," Clark said as Cat's face grew red. "What are you doing here?"

"You kind of took off earlier," Paige noted and Clark nodded.

"Right sorry. Um, excuse us Cat," Clark said before standing up, walking away from his desk.

"How do you deal with propaganda Barbie?" Paige asked dryly once they were far enough away.

"By holding onto patience. What are you doing here Paige?" Clark asked.

"Well, for starters, to say thanks," Paige said, taking him back. "I never did get a chance to say thanks six years ago. You just bailed before the police could arrive."

"Like I said, I was going through a rough time," Clark said honestly. "How did you find me?"

"I saw your ID badge at the press conference," Paige reminded him, gesturing to his press pass.

"Right," Clark said after a moment. "Well it's good to see you again."

"I was hoping I could buy you a cup of coffee," Paige said and Clark paused as he turned to leave.

"Look Paige, I just got out of a relationship-"

"Whoa, slow down. It's a cup of coffee, not a date. Just think of it as a 'thanks for saving my life' kind of thing," Paige said and Clark hesitated for a moment.

"Alright, fine," Clark agreed reluctantly. "Tomorrow? There's a café about two blocks from here, it opens at eight. That good for you?"

"Sounds perfect," Paige said with a smile. "See you then."

"See you then," Clark echoed as he walked back to his desk.

"How do you know her?" Cat asked as she looked at Paige's retreating form in distain.

"Long story," Clark said, only half listening as he typed at his computer.

It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for. Kara was doing a photo shoot later today. Perfect chance to find her. And get some answers.

Metropolis

Afternoon

Kara was doing a photo-shoot when she saw Clark walk up behind the photographer. And from the look on his face, she knew he wanted to talk.

"Let's take a break," Kara told the crew.

They agreed and walked off, not paying Clark so much as a backwards glance. Once they were gone, Kara walked down the steps to greet Clark.

"It's been a long time Kal-El. I missed you," Kara said as they hugged.

"I missed you to," Clark said as they let each other go. "It was a surprise, seeing you today. How long have you been in town?" Clark asked and noticed how Kara seemed uncomfortable with his question. "You didn't come to earth to be the first superpowered pin-up girl."

"It's critical I get my image around the city as quickly as possible. You just have to trust me Kal-El, I'm doing this for you," Kara said evasively and Clark noticed she seemed to be hiding something.

"This doesn't feel much like a favor," Clark noted.

"I searched so long for my mother and…I never found her," Kara said as she walked away from Clark.

"Probably because Kandor was never a place," Clark said and she looked over at him. "It was an experiment. Prior to Krypton's destruction, my father was forced to clone Krypton's greatest soldiers, including Zod and himself. A year ago, the clones were released."

"Zod is here?" Kara asked in shock.

"Not anymore. I sent him and the other Kandorians away, to a planet far from here, Zod can't hurt anyone ever again," Clark assured her. "So do you wanna tell me what you're doing here? What you're doing flies in the face of how I've chosen to life my life here on Earth. I know you well enough to know you wouldn't do that without a good reason. What's going on Kara?"

"I didn't wanna hurt you," Kara said reluctantly. "Jor-El has given me a mission. And getting my powers and image around the city are a part of it."

"He gave you a mission?" Clark asked in shock. "What did he say?"

"He's let you go, Kal-El. I'm sorry. He says you're no longer his son," Kara said gently.

Clark took a moment to process this piece of news. Clark had always believed that, after the death of Jonathan Kent, nothing Jor-El could do would ever hurt him. He'd been wrong.

Luthor Corp

Same time

In his office, Oliver Queen was practicing some Taekwondo as his mind drifted to another place.

Chloe had just successfully launched her arrow at the target, hitting. She turned to him excitably before grabbing him and kissing him.

Suddenly overcome with anger, Oliver turned around and struck the wooden board in front of him, smashing the center.

"What did that board do to deserve that?"

Oliver looked up to see his business strategist standing a few feet from the board.

"Sam," Oliver greeted as he picked up a towel. "Did I miss a meeting?"

"No. You just…you seem distracted. We're worried about you Oliver," Sam said concerned. "Is it a woman?"

"How'd you guess?" Oliver said dryly after a moment.

"It's always a woman. She break your heart?" Sam asked as he walked further inside the office.

"Sort of. You ever feel like the decisions you make put the people closest to you in danger?" Oliver inquired.

"Yeah," Sam said as he thought of Patty and Paige. "But that doesn't always mean it's true Oliver."

"In my case it is. She left…and it was my fault," Oliver said softly.

Sam opened his mouth to speak when he felt the Elders calling him. He hated to leave Oliver like this but evidently, he didn't have a choice.

"If you ever just need to talk to someone, I'm always here to listen Oliver," Sam offered and Oliver chuckled.

"Thanks Sam, but you don't get paid to listen to my problems," Oliver said ruefully.

Sam stared at him sadly before walking out of the office. Once he was far enough away, Sam orbed out.

Paige's hotel room

Not long after

Paige was sitting on her bed, thinking of what to say tomorrow to Clark when Sam orbed in, startling her.

"Okay, if you're gonna keep stopping by, learn to knocking before Orbing in," Paige said irritably.

"I'm sorry, but I need your help," Sam said and Paige rolled her eyes.

"Kind of in the middle of my own Whitelighter problems Sam," Paige snapped.

"I know, and I wouldn't ask, but its bad Paige," Sam said and Paige noticed how freaked out he sounded.

"What's wrong Sam?" Paige asked in concern.

"One of my charges, a potential Whitelighter who is at a crossroads. Something's about to happen that could blow up his life and undo all the progress he's made," Sam said urgently.

"Okay, I'm gonna need more info if you want my Sam. What's going on?" Paige asked and Sam sighed.

"Promise me what I tell you does not leave this room," Sam said and Paige had never seen him look so serious.

"I promise on my power as a Whitelighter-Witch," Paige promised and Sam nodded.

"My charge is Oliver Queen," Sam said and she looked at him in surprise.

"The Oliver Queen?" Paige asked and he nodded.

"You know of a man named Gordon Godfrey?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, I ended up tracking my charge to one of his rallies. Tell me Oliver Queen is not about to announce his support for Godfrey," Paige pleaded.

"Nothing like that. Godfrey has Intel, somehow, about a secret about Oliver. He's going to go public with it, and it could destroy everything," Sam said grimly.

"What secret Sam? If I'm gonna help you, I need to know what I'm dealing with," Paige said and Sam let out a deep sigh.

"Godfrey is going to announce that Oliver is the Green Arrow," Sam told the stunned Paige.

It never made much sense to me why Clark never told Kara about Zod and the Kandorians.

Yes, Oliver is a potential Whitelighter and Sam's charge. It seemed the best way to do the Godfrey plot.