[Metropolis City Hall]
The chairman pounded his gavel. "This session's adjourned for today. Let the record show that the council approved the budget by a vote of 32-17."
Councillor von Hutton collected her files and exited the council chamber. Lex was waiting in the lobby.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Luthor. And how is your father doing?"
"Golfing in Scotland this month," Lex replied. "He's trying to work on his handicap. I think he has his mind set on that charity tournament in Florida next month."
"I take it this is more than a social call," von Hutton remarked.
"I understand that you will be voting against the mayor's redevelopment plans."
"Plans that you and your developers helped to craft."
Lex grinned. "It's not a grand conspiracy, councillor. I've seen the urban decay in Gotham City. We're only a few years away from going down that road. What I'm offering is a chance for Metropolis to take its rightful place beside New York, London, Rome, Sydney and the great cities of the world. You can be a part of that."
von Hutton laughed. "I've survived a dozen elections without your money or connections. You have nothing to offer me."
Lex reduced his voice to a whisper. "My allies on council tell me some interesting stories. The mayor's health is not as robust as it once was. It could be his last term. Sadly, he won't be around to open the Summer Olympics."
"You're getting ahead of yourself, Lex. We haven't even voted on the Olympic bid yet."
"The council respects you, Ms. von Hutton. On both the left and the right. You've done plenty for this city. Imagine what you could accomplish ... as Mayor of Metropolis. I'm prepared to give you considerable campaign finances, blanket coverage on LuthorMedia outlets and papers, you name it! As it stands now, you'll likely get the keys to the city as a token of your service. Why settle for that trinket, when you could be sitting in the mayor's chair after this election?!"
"'All the kingdoms of the earth, if you would only kneel before me'," von Hutton scoffed. "You spin an intoxicating tale, Mr. Luthor. I'm in public service to serve others, not myself. What you're looking for ... is a patsy: a puppet who'll do your bidding. You forget, I've seen your father at work. You've learned your lessons, well, Lex. Lionel would be proud!" She quickened her pace to her office.
Lex caught up with her. "So you're prepared to be a simple councillor, then. I'm giving you a chance at real power. You think the other charlatans in council will do better in the mayor's office? You can do some real good there ... and you're throwing it all away!"
von Hutton spun around. "I know ... and one day, perhaps, I will run for higher office. But I'd rather settle for one of these dimwits as mayor, then compromise everything I've fought for. I won't vote for your plans. And I don't want to become mayor. Not at the price you're asking of me!" She slammed her office door.
Lex swore. I've ticked her off. Now she'll be working to dismantle the redevelopment plan. Forming blocks of allies ... making deals with the moderates among the pro-business councillors. I can only count on the solid support of a third of the council. von Hutton will destroy my plans, effectively scuttling the Olympic bid.
That's not going to happen. This is my city.
He dialed his cell. "Oh, it's you. Mr. Brass Knuckles. Look, I don't have time for this. Tell Mr. Thorne I want him to do something for me. Yeah, that's right, Mackenzie. Someone on council's not being cooperative. Just tell him to call me."
You've just made yourself an enemy, Ms. von Hutton. Count your blessings. If you're lucky, you'll still have those to hang onto.
[Solitude Condominiums, Metropolis]
Clark was exhausted. He gave Metro P.D. an account of the mobster's attempt to silence the Street Posse thug once and for all. The torn shirt came as a result of grappling with the gunman, he explained. He had wished that he wouldn't have to be a witness, but the time for regrets had passed. I saved a life. That's what Bruce would have done. And what I did. I can't wait to turn in for the night.
He walked into the condo's lobby – and spotted Chloe.
"Uhh, Chloe, I didn't see you at that shootout at Sonny's Grill. Perry sent me over. Guess that means we'll be working on a mob story together, eh?"
"Clark, we need to talk," Chloe began. The security guard eyed them suspiciously. "In private."
"Alright, if you want." They took the elevator to his bachelor's studio apartment. A kitchenette, a den, one bedroom, IKEA furniture, DVD player, stereo ... and exercise bike that apparently had never been used. Nothing out of the ordinary, Chloe observed.
The Gotham Times rested on the coffee table.
"Following up on the Rupert Thorne developments, I see." Chloe noted. "I always thought Metropolis could keep away the seedier elements that have turned Gotham City into an urban blight. I was wrong. Trouble always finds a way of catching up with us ... with you ..." She looked out the window and the soaring steel spires of Luthor Towers.
"Sorry, Chloe, I'm – not following you," Clark buttoned up his blazer to hide his bullet-torn shirt.
He's lying to my face, Chloe thought. How can he stand there – and pretend that I would never uncover his secret.
"Some people wear masks around their co-workers, their friends – either because they can't trust them, or because they're hiding something."
"Where's all this coming from, Chloe?!"
Chloe spun around and slapped Clark in the face. "You liar! You goddamn liar!! We were good friends, all through our years in Smallville High. You had a secret and never told me!"
"Secret?!" Clark tried to appear ignorant.
"I was there!" Chloe pulled out her camera. "I have evidence. You were shot. You should have been hit. Three point-blank shots in the chest ... and you barely have a scratch! You tossed that gunman across six lanes without breaking a sweat. I saw everything!"
"Chloe, let me explain..." Clark began. Dear god, she knows.
"I followed the sirens ... figured I'd at least wrangle an interview with the mob squad detective, but as it turns out, I stumbled on a bigger story. You! How long have you had these abilities, these powers, Clark? Since high school? Since the day you were born?! Damn, why didn't I see it? Your emergency exits, forgotten errands, the fact that you seemed to be around many of those incidents with the green meteor.
Or did you develop those powers gradually, with the help of ... Lex Luthor?!"
"Lex doesn't know. He doesn't know I have these powers! Chloe, I never told you and the others ... because I wanted to protect you. Yes, I've had these powers since the day I was born. My mom and dad – they hid them from others to protect me."
Chloe turned away. "Maybe I should visit Smallville. It's been awhile. Mrs. Kent and I have some things to discuss."
Clark grabbed her arm. "Keep my mother out of this! She has nothing to do with this. I wanted to tell you. Of all the people I know, I wanted to tell you. You don't know how hard it was – to keep this secret. This curse. I wish I never had these powers, so I could be a normal person. But I have them."
Chloe wiped a tear from his eye. "I thought we would be close. I know – it's partly my fault. I shoved you away, while I played reporter – competing with Lois. I thought I had found happiness with Jimmy. You and Pete knew better, didn't you?! And to learn that – all these years – you've been lying to me. I don't even know who you are anymore, Clark Kent!" She stared at the Metropolis skyline again. "I take it you never told Pete ... or Lana?"
"No, none of them know. Only you," Clark replied. You – and someone else.
Clark pulled out the GCPD report his friend from the shadows had provided. "My ... source at GCPD ... gave this to me. You want to take down the mob? This will be helpful. The hit on the D.A. was ordered by Thorne. The hitman's name is Mackenzie."
"I suppose you won't give me the name of your contact in GCPD? Another secret you'll keep from me?"
"I've sworn to never reveal his identity," Clark glanced at the Gotham paper. "I gave my word."
"Oh, you gave your word, did you?" Chloe scoffed. "It's not worth much, as I see it! Why does this contact deserve your trust more than your friends?"
I've been her punching bag for too long. I've lived with this secret. Who is she to pass judgment on something she can never understand? I've made my fate. "This contact was there for me ... all these years. Unlike you. Don't take yourself too seriously, Chloe! You're not beyond fault, either. You chose to push me away. You have your dream job, now. Congratulations, Ms. Sullivan, that's what you always wanted. In the process, you've put Pete and me on the sidelines. So now you can't count on your friends? You put that ball in motion, the moment you put your ambition ahead of our friendship."
"And who are you to be lecturing me about friendship? Pete was your best friend. Now he's a thorn in the side of your real buddy, Lex! If anyone started alienating us ... it's you! You and your secret. Well, it's not a secret anymore. A power like that is dangerous. You're ... dangerous. By the evening edition of the Planet, the whole country will know how much of a danger you really are!" She marched out of the room.
"No!" Clark ran after her. "You can't. If you go to press with this, the media will descend on Smallville like locusts. My mother's not well ... it would be traumatic for her. You want to hurt me by broadcasting my secret to the world, well that's up to you. Just don't hurt my mother along the way!"
Chloe stopped. "Out of respect for your mother, I'll hold off on telling Perry for a day. You have one day. Get Martha out of there. Do what you must to protect her. By midnight tomorrow, all bets are off. Your dirty little secret's out. I'm not going to risk you hurting more people than you already have."
"So ... this is it," Clark paced across the den, "The last charge of the Three Musketeers?! All for one, and one for all. What a crock. Pete knew it wasn't true. That's why he left Metropolis. You now have the story you always wanted. 'Clark, the meteor freak, a danger to America'. You now know my secret ... and without truly understanding why I kept it hidden ... you – you alone – can decide to expose it for the world to see. If our friendship meant anything – at all – you won't do this. My father fought his whole life to protect me. To hide my secret. He went to his deathbed ... never revealing my powers to a single soul. A man of his word. All my powers ... and I couldn't save him. Nothing you could do will hurt more than having to live with that knowledge. That I was helpless."
Chloe looked up at him, trying to accept the reality. How little she really knew about Clark.
"We're not in high school anymore, Chloe. We can't meet in the cafeteria and 'catch up'. We can't share our hopes and fears in the Torch office. That's life. We've grown apart ... and, yes, some of the blame rests with me. I'll admit it: I've been less than honest. Is that what you want to hear?! After all we've been through, I'd like to still call you a friend, even if we're not the best of friends. I'm asking you as a friend – please, don't go to the press with this. If you still can't understand that, well, do whatever it is you do to rationalize it in your head. Jonathan Kent would call it betrayal. And so do I."
"Clark, you bastard!" Chloe tried to retain her composure. "You have one day, that's all. Then ... let the chips fall where they may. I'm sorry if this means our friendship is history, but I have my job to do. I won't let Lex, or people like him, harness your abilities for their own ends. The public needs to know." She slammed the door.
Clark dashed to the phone. "Mom?!"
"Clark? It's good to hear your voice!"
"Get your things packed. Chloe knows. Everything!"
"No, that can't be!" Martha gasped.
"Pack your bags. I'm sending you out of town. At least until this blows over."
"This is my home. Jonathan would never run from a fight."
"Mom ... please ... I can't bear to think about who or what will be coming into town once the news breaks out. Please, at least for a couple of days ..."
"Okay, Clark. But only for a few days. Then I'm coming back." Martha looked at the photo of Jonathan and Clark, 12 years ago. I don't believe it. Chloe was as close as a daughter. Now she's going destroy it all. She knew this day might come. And she knew what to do.
Jonathan had made her promise to protect Clark. At least he had one friend he could count on.
She dialed the phone.
"Yes, Mr. Pennyworth. Tell Bruce the secret's out. I trust he knows what to do."
"Yes," Alfred said. "He knows what to do." We knew it could happen, but not this soon. When Bruce enters the night, I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to rein him in. I can only pray that he will do what's right for Clark. And for himself.
God help them. God help them all.
The chairman pounded his gavel. "This session's adjourned for today. Let the record show that the council approved the budget by a vote of 32-17."
Councillor von Hutton collected her files and exited the council chamber. Lex was waiting in the lobby.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Luthor. And how is your father doing?"
"Golfing in Scotland this month," Lex replied. "He's trying to work on his handicap. I think he has his mind set on that charity tournament in Florida next month."
"I take it this is more than a social call," von Hutton remarked.
"I understand that you will be voting against the mayor's redevelopment plans."
"Plans that you and your developers helped to craft."
Lex grinned. "It's not a grand conspiracy, councillor. I've seen the urban decay in Gotham City. We're only a few years away from going down that road. What I'm offering is a chance for Metropolis to take its rightful place beside New York, London, Rome, Sydney and the great cities of the world. You can be a part of that."
von Hutton laughed. "I've survived a dozen elections without your money or connections. You have nothing to offer me."
Lex reduced his voice to a whisper. "My allies on council tell me some interesting stories. The mayor's health is not as robust as it once was. It could be his last term. Sadly, he won't be around to open the Summer Olympics."
"You're getting ahead of yourself, Lex. We haven't even voted on the Olympic bid yet."
"The council respects you, Ms. von Hutton. On both the left and the right. You've done plenty for this city. Imagine what you could accomplish ... as Mayor of Metropolis. I'm prepared to give you considerable campaign finances, blanket coverage on LuthorMedia outlets and papers, you name it! As it stands now, you'll likely get the keys to the city as a token of your service. Why settle for that trinket, when you could be sitting in the mayor's chair after this election?!"
"'All the kingdoms of the earth, if you would only kneel before me'," von Hutton scoffed. "You spin an intoxicating tale, Mr. Luthor. I'm in public service to serve others, not myself. What you're looking for ... is a patsy: a puppet who'll do your bidding. You forget, I've seen your father at work. You've learned your lessons, well, Lex. Lionel would be proud!" She quickened her pace to her office.
Lex caught up with her. "So you're prepared to be a simple councillor, then. I'm giving you a chance at real power. You think the other charlatans in council will do better in the mayor's office? You can do some real good there ... and you're throwing it all away!"
von Hutton spun around. "I know ... and one day, perhaps, I will run for higher office. But I'd rather settle for one of these dimwits as mayor, then compromise everything I've fought for. I won't vote for your plans. And I don't want to become mayor. Not at the price you're asking of me!" She slammed her office door.
Lex swore. I've ticked her off. Now she'll be working to dismantle the redevelopment plan. Forming blocks of allies ... making deals with the moderates among the pro-business councillors. I can only count on the solid support of a third of the council. von Hutton will destroy my plans, effectively scuttling the Olympic bid.
That's not going to happen. This is my city.
He dialed his cell. "Oh, it's you. Mr. Brass Knuckles. Look, I don't have time for this. Tell Mr. Thorne I want him to do something for me. Yeah, that's right, Mackenzie. Someone on council's not being cooperative. Just tell him to call me."
You've just made yourself an enemy, Ms. von Hutton. Count your blessings. If you're lucky, you'll still have those to hang onto.
[Solitude Condominiums, Metropolis]
Clark was exhausted. He gave Metro P.D. an account of the mobster's attempt to silence the Street Posse thug once and for all. The torn shirt came as a result of grappling with the gunman, he explained. He had wished that he wouldn't have to be a witness, but the time for regrets had passed. I saved a life. That's what Bruce would have done. And what I did. I can't wait to turn in for the night.
He walked into the condo's lobby – and spotted Chloe.
"Uhh, Chloe, I didn't see you at that shootout at Sonny's Grill. Perry sent me over. Guess that means we'll be working on a mob story together, eh?"
"Clark, we need to talk," Chloe began. The security guard eyed them suspiciously. "In private."
"Alright, if you want." They took the elevator to his bachelor's studio apartment. A kitchenette, a den, one bedroom, IKEA furniture, DVD player, stereo ... and exercise bike that apparently had never been used. Nothing out of the ordinary, Chloe observed.
The Gotham Times rested on the coffee table.
"Following up on the Rupert Thorne developments, I see." Chloe noted. "I always thought Metropolis could keep away the seedier elements that have turned Gotham City into an urban blight. I was wrong. Trouble always finds a way of catching up with us ... with you ..." She looked out the window and the soaring steel spires of Luthor Towers.
"Sorry, Chloe, I'm – not following you," Clark buttoned up his blazer to hide his bullet-torn shirt.
He's lying to my face, Chloe thought. How can he stand there – and pretend that I would never uncover his secret.
"Some people wear masks around their co-workers, their friends – either because they can't trust them, or because they're hiding something."
"Where's all this coming from, Chloe?!"
Chloe spun around and slapped Clark in the face. "You liar! You goddamn liar!! We were good friends, all through our years in Smallville High. You had a secret and never told me!"
"Secret?!" Clark tried to appear ignorant.
"I was there!" Chloe pulled out her camera. "I have evidence. You were shot. You should have been hit. Three point-blank shots in the chest ... and you barely have a scratch! You tossed that gunman across six lanes without breaking a sweat. I saw everything!"
"Chloe, let me explain..." Clark began. Dear god, she knows.
"I followed the sirens ... figured I'd at least wrangle an interview with the mob squad detective, but as it turns out, I stumbled on a bigger story. You! How long have you had these abilities, these powers, Clark? Since high school? Since the day you were born?! Damn, why didn't I see it? Your emergency exits, forgotten errands, the fact that you seemed to be around many of those incidents with the green meteor.
Or did you develop those powers gradually, with the help of ... Lex Luthor?!"
"Lex doesn't know. He doesn't know I have these powers! Chloe, I never told you and the others ... because I wanted to protect you. Yes, I've had these powers since the day I was born. My mom and dad – they hid them from others to protect me."
Chloe turned away. "Maybe I should visit Smallville. It's been awhile. Mrs. Kent and I have some things to discuss."
Clark grabbed her arm. "Keep my mother out of this! She has nothing to do with this. I wanted to tell you. Of all the people I know, I wanted to tell you. You don't know how hard it was – to keep this secret. This curse. I wish I never had these powers, so I could be a normal person. But I have them."
Chloe wiped a tear from his eye. "I thought we would be close. I know – it's partly my fault. I shoved you away, while I played reporter – competing with Lois. I thought I had found happiness with Jimmy. You and Pete knew better, didn't you?! And to learn that – all these years – you've been lying to me. I don't even know who you are anymore, Clark Kent!" She stared at the Metropolis skyline again. "I take it you never told Pete ... or Lana?"
"No, none of them know. Only you," Clark replied. You – and someone else.
Clark pulled out the GCPD report his friend from the shadows had provided. "My ... source at GCPD ... gave this to me. You want to take down the mob? This will be helpful. The hit on the D.A. was ordered by Thorne. The hitman's name is Mackenzie."
"I suppose you won't give me the name of your contact in GCPD? Another secret you'll keep from me?"
"I've sworn to never reveal his identity," Clark glanced at the Gotham paper. "I gave my word."
"Oh, you gave your word, did you?" Chloe scoffed. "It's not worth much, as I see it! Why does this contact deserve your trust more than your friends?"
I've been her punching bag for too long. I've lived with this secret. Who is she to pass judgment on something she can never understand? I've made my fate. "This contact was there for me ... all these years. Unlike you. Don't take yourself too seriously, Chloe! You're not beyond fault, either. You chose to push me away. You have your dream job, now. Congratulations, Ms. Sullivan, that's what you always wanted. In the process, you've put Pete and me on the sidelines. So now you can't count on your friends? You put that ball in motion, the moment you put your ambition ahead of our friendship."
"And who are you to be lecturing me about friendship? Pete was your best friend. Now he's a thorn in the side of your real buddy, Lex! If anyone started alienating us ... it's you! You and your secret. Well, it's not a secret anymore. A power like that is dangerous. You're ... dangerous. By the evening edition of the Planet, the whole country will know how much of a danger you really are!" She marched out of the room.
"No!" Clark ran after her. "You can't. If you go to press with this, the media will descend on Smallville like locusts. My mother's not well ... it would be traumatic for her. You want to hurt me by broadcasting my secret to the world, well that's up to you. Just don't hurt my mother along the way!"
Chloe stopped. "Out of respect for your mother, I'll hold off on telling Perry for a day. You have one day. Get Martha out of there. Do what you must to protect her. By midnight tomorrow, all bets are off. Your dirty little secret's out. I'm not going to risk you hurting more people than you already have."
"So ... this is it," Clark paced across the den, "The last charge of the Three Musketeers?! All for one, and one for all. What a crock. Pete knew it wasn't true. That's why he left Metropolis. You now have the story you always wanted. 'Clark, the meteor freak, a danger to America'. You now know my secret ... and without truly understanding why I kept it hidden ... you – you alone – can decide to expose it for the world to see. If our friendship meant anything – at all – you won't do this. My father fought his whole life to protect me. To hide my secret. He went to his deathbed ... never revealing my powers to a single soul. A man of his word. All my powers ... and I couldn't save him. Nothing you could do will hurt more than having to live with that knowledge. That I was helpless."
Chloe looked up at him, trying to accept the reality. How little she really knew about Clark.
"We're not in high school anymore, Chloe. We can't meet in the cafeteria and 'catch up'. We can't share our hopes and fears in the Torch office. That's life. We've grown apart ... and, yes, some of the blame rests with me. I'll admit it: I've been less than honest. Is that what you want to hear?! After all we've been through, I'd like to still call you a friend, even if we're not the best of friends. I'm asking you as a friend – please, don't go to the press with this. If you still can't understand that, well, do whatever it is you do to rationalize it in your head. Jonathan Kent would call it betrayal. And so do I."
"Clark, you bastard!" Chloe tried to retain her composure. "You have one day, that's all. Then ... let the chips fall where they may. I'm sorry if this means our friendship is history, but I have my job to do. I won't let Lex, or people like him, harness your abilities for their own ends. The public needs to know." She slammed the door.
Clark dashed to the phone. "Mom?!"
"Clark? It's good to hear your voice!"
"Get your things packed. Chloe knows. Everything!"
"No, that can't be!" Martha gasped.
"Pack your bags. I'm sending you out of town. At least until this blows over."
"This is my home. Jonathan would never run from a fight."
"Mom ... please ... I can't bear to think about who or what will be coming into town once the news breaks out. Please, at least for a couple of days ..."
"Okay, Clark. But only for a few days. Then I'm coming back." Martha looked at the photo of Jonathan and Clark, 12 years ago. I don't believe it. Chloe was as close as a daughter. Now she's going destroy it all. She knew this day might come. And she knew what to do.
Jonathan had made her promise to protect Clark. At least he had one friend he could count on.
She dialed the phone.
"Yes, Mr. Pennyworth. Tell Bruce the secret's out. I trust he knows what to do."
"Yes," Alfred said. "He knows what to do." We knew it could happen, but not this soon. When Bruce enters the night, I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to rein him in. I can only pray that he will do what's right for Clark. And for himself.
God help them. God help them all.