Disclamer: see first chapter.

Caught in the Act

Part 3

"Big News"

By Stranj100

The apartment is completely dark when I land on the balcony of Lois and Clark's brownstone. I hope they aren't asleep—it's late and the next day is a workday. Lois being only human, no matter how she pretends otherwise, needs more sleep than Clark and me. A cranky Lois is not a fun Lois. I feel like I shouldn't be there, but my impulsiveness brought me here and I have to deal with it. Otherwise, I might chicken-out later.

I listen and find there's no one home. Which means Lois is probably out on assignment and knowing Clark he's probably out saving the universe or rescuing a kitten from a tree—he really does do that sometimes—it's almost to much to believe. I sit outside on the balcony for a few minutes, before I decide to let myself in. The sliding door is always left unlocked for Clark. I drift over the carpets trying not to track any snow in stopping at the tile near the main door and kick off my boots before touching down onto the plush carpet.

Lois and Clark's apartment is huge. It has a decent size kitchen; that is only used by Clark. He's the only one out of the two that has time to cook or can cook. No offence to Lois, she has lots talents, but cooking isn't one of them. There's also a dining room that opens up into the big living room. Not to mention there are two bedrooms and a guest bathroom. The master bedroom has its own bathroom. The second bedroom has been converted into a shared office.

Standing alone in the apartment, I not sure what to do with myself, so I pad over to the couch in my stocking feet and pick up the TV remote from the coffee table. Sitting on the couch, I idly start flipping through channels. Stopping on the Global News Network, I find out Clark is in South-east Asia stopping some mudslides from destroying some villages. I continue channel surfing and find nothing but infomercials and reruns I'd already seen. Considering how short my life is that tells you some thing about the programming. Still, over two hundred channels and there's still nothing on. Disgusted, I turn the TV off.

Turning on a light, I begin to look at the pictures that decorate the walls of the living room. There are pictures of Lois and Clark in various vacation spots; them in front of the Eiffel tower, them in a gondola, them on a sandy white beach. Most of the pictures are of friends and family; their boss, Perry, cutting loose at an office party—a pretty scary sight, Clark's buddy, Jimmy, dressed in a tux looking very uncomfortable—I can just imagine, Lois's dad in his military uniform and her mom dressed up at some dinner. Of course, there's a picture of Aunt Martha and Uncle Jon—the two of them on the front porch swing. What surprises me is a picture of Krypto and me in some Kansas field—were else could it be—playing tug of war with an anchor chain. When had it been taken? The fact that it's there with all the others was kind of nice—not that I'd ever admit it out loud.

As I continue to look at all the pictures, my hand absently goes into my pocket and makes contact with a crinkled piece of paper. That brings me back to why I'm here in Metropolis. I pull it out of my pocket and unfold it. I stare at my boyfriend's handwriting tracing the digits with my finger. I can't help but think of Tim; his wonderful blue eyes, his maddening smirk, and his rare precious laugh. He's like a drug and I'm on a constant high. Is this love?

Stirring from my thoughts, I go in search of a pen and paper—to copy the number. I decide to look in the office. Rooting around in Clark's desk, I find them. After I copy the phone number, I look around the room. Framed newspaper clippings cover the walls.

Two articles draw my attention the most. The first is the story Lois did about a mysterious flying stranger rescuing an experimental spacecraft. It had been Clark's first public display of power. Thinking about it fills me with pride. Clark is really the world's greatest hero. I just hope I can be half as good as him. The other story hanging right next Lois's is the article that Clark wrote about the Lex Luthor's downfall. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that I shared DNA with the world's greatest villain. It's something I can barely admit to myself. How can I ever tell Clark? I'm sure if he knew the truth, it would change everything between us. I don't think I can handle that, but at least I'm not alone with my secret. Tim knows and he says he loves me. That makes it easier to bear.

I think about what I have in common with my two 'fathers'. It's something I've done a lot since I found out the secret. Sure, I have Clark's eye and hair color not to mention his build, but my eyes aren't set right and my jaw isn't as square. Then there's my temper. I can't imagine Clark ever losing it like I do. One thing I didn't inherit from my 'dads' is brains. Clark is smart. When other heroes think of smart, they think of Batman, but Clark is descended from a long line of scientists. Kryptonians are supposed to be smart like Vulcans. Then there's Luthor. Despite being the devil incarnate, he was probably one of the smartest men on earth, on par with Batman. If I inherited even half their smarts, I wouldn't be having half the trouble in school I am.

What about this thing with Tim, am I behaving like a Luthor? First, I've ditched Cassie, when we're sort of dating. We haven't made it official or anything, so I tell myself it isn't really cheating, right? Not to mention I've been obsessing about Tim since he retired. He was only supposed to be my best friend, but I tracked him down and I've been kind of stalking him ever since. Then there's me lying to Kents about where I've been. I've lied to them in the past about my detentions, but that's normal right? I'm not turning into a Luthor. I'm not.

I'm still muddled in my thoughts when I hear a familiar warm voice. "Conner, I thought that was you I heard."

I curse to myself, as I turn to face Clark. He's covered from head to foot in dried mud hovering above the carpet. He's the fourth person to sneak up on me today. (This story started back in "When Robins Don't Fly". – Shameless Self-plugging Stranj100)

"Hi, Clark, I came to talk to you. Is it alright that I let myself in?"

"Of course, but I need to clean-up, so I'll meet you in the living room when I'm done. Okay?"

"Sure."

About ten minutes later, Clark comes out toweling his hair dry wearing a plain white terrycloth robe. "That's better. How about we move this into the kitchen, I haven't eaten, yet. We can make some hot chocolate or do you prefer coffee?"

"No, cocoa is fine," I answer.

"Good, I'll teach you how to heat water using your heat-vision," he says leading me in to the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes and one melted teakettle later, Clark and I are sitting at the kitchen table. He's eating his third sandwich and polishing off his cocoa. It's nice to know where my appetite comes from. I sit with my mug of cocoa and melting miniature marshmallows. We talk about school and work. He asks how things are going with the Titans and he talks about the Justice League's last crisis. The whole thing feels very...homey.

After Clark finishes his sandwich, he asks, "So, what is it you really wanted to talk about?"

I don't know where to start, so I try the most important part. "You know Robin. Not the girl, but the old one."

"Yes."

"After he disappeared, I searched for him. Well, because he's my best friend and I found him. Everything was going great, but then his dad caught us when we were..." I can't say it out loud, so I make gestures with my hands.

"...being intimate?" Clark offers.

Wow, that sounds a lot better than screwing like rabbits. "Right."

Clark cheeks flush. He remains silent for a minute. Then he finally asks, "What about Wondergirl? I thought you two were dating."

"Well, kind of."

"Kind of? How does Robin fit in?" He asks.

"He's..." Think about Tim again, those eyes and his smirk. I think of the battles we've fought together and the quiet times we've spent together, just talking and hanging out. He's...Tim—my Tim. "I think I love him." I say hesitantly.

I turn me eyes to Clark and hope for something. He just gives me a smile and puts me at ease. "It looks like the apple didn't fall far from the tree."

"What...?" I'm confused.

"Let's just say you're not the only member of the Super family to fall for a member of the Bat-clan."

"You mean...you?" I ask unsure of what I was hearing.

"Yes," my mentor answers.

"Who was it the original Batgirl...Huntress?" I ask.

"Bat...yes; girl...no."

My eyes go wide in surprise. "...you and Mr. Pointy-ears? Does Lois know?"

Clark nods. "I told her about before we married. It's part of our Kryptonian heritage. On Krypton, men had two mates, one male, who was a partner and equal, and one female, who was a companion and mother to his children. That the reason Kryptonian families were organized into houses."

"And Lois is alright with it?" I ask.

"She said she had gotten used to sharing me with the world, so sharing me with one specific person shouldn't come between what we have," Clark replies.

I'm amazed she took it so well. "She really is something," I say a little stunned.

"Yes, she is," He agrees with a smile.

I curious, now, so I ask, "Why aren't you three together?"

His smile dies and makes me feel guilty. "It's complicated," was all he says.

There's an uncomfortable silence between us. Then Clark clears his throat and says, "We're supposed to be talking about you. Why don't tell me the whole story."

I do, starting with how I tracked Tim down using Krypto and how I carefully approached him. I gloss over the sex and skip ahead to the discussion we had after we were caught. I reluctantly tell him about giving up my identity to the Drakes. Clark says that we can deal with it together. We will have to if Tim is one of my life-mates. That's another part of my heritage. Kryptonians mate for life—like an eagle or a wolf.

"They want to talk to me in person?" my mentor asks surprised as he stares at the number I gave him.

"Dana thought it was important," I reply.

Clark nods. "You and Tim are important."

I almost blush when he says that. "She wants you to call first."

"Sounds fair," he says he as turns to tuck the paper away. He glances at the clock. "Look at that, it's after midnight and you have school in the morning."

I curse out loud and Clark gives me a stern look. "Sorry, it's just Uncle Jon and Aunt Martha don't know were I am."

"Don't worry. I'll call them and tell them you were with me."

"Thanks," I say as I get up to grab my boots.

"Conner," my mentor says as he stands up and puts his hand on my shoulder.

I turn to him. "What?"

He doesn't say anything he just pulls me into a hug. Normally, I don't like getting touchy feely, but being hugged by Clark is alright. As he holds me, I inhale his scent. I don't know how it's possible for someone to smell like sunshine. After a little while, I can't help myself and I begin to squirm.

Finally, he lets me go and says, "You know, you really are a great kid."

I smile. "Of course, I got a great role-model."

He laughs. "Get before it before gets any later."

"Right!" In less then a second my boots are on and I'm speeding into the night air.

As I fly away, I hear Clark mutter, "I should get the boy a cell-phone. That would solve at least one small problem."

tbc

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I actually had this done in the begining of August, but I decided to rewrite it in present tense to try and solve my problem of constant tense shifting. I'm pleased to say it seemes to be working, so I'm planning to go back and rewrite the past chapters when this is complete. Part 4 is written, but I'm not sure how soon it will be up. Thanks to work and school I have very little free time. I hope to have it up by the end of the month, so cross your fingers and wish me luck.

Luv ya all,

Stranj100

P.S. Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful reviews.