Caught in the Act
Part 4
"Spin Control"
By Stranj100
After landing on the roof of the Drakes' apartment, I switch my costume for civilian clothes. I don't want to intimidate the Drakes. I want us to be on even ground—just parents talking seriously about their kids.
I dress in an old pair of work boots, a pair of recently bought jeans—Clark Kent doesn't wear jeans outside of Smallville, a royal blue dress—shirt that Lois says brings out my eyes and a light winter jacket. I left my glasses at home because I don't anybody to draw parallels between me and my other identity. I run my hands through my hair to give it a more natural look—not Clark's neat hairdo and not Superman's spit curl. I instinctively put on my wedding band then pause and debate whether I should wear it or not. I figure since the world knows Superman is married it won't do any harm. Besides, I feel incomplete without it when I'm not in my costume.
Inside the building, I pause at the Drakes' door and give the inside a look with my X-ray vision. I dislike using my abilities this way, but if Mr. Drake is as hostile as Conner said he is, I figure I might need some warning. After all, he's the reason Tim retired and from what Tim told Conner, he carries a strong hatred for Bruce and all other heroes by association. I'm still not certain how Bruce could have let things with Tim and Mr. Drake happen the way they did. I have always thought he planned for every likely contingency. Tim's parents discovering his other identity seems an obvious possibility to me.
Inside the apartment, I see a dark-haired boy that must be Tim at the dining room table apparently doing homework. I hope Conner is doing his. He doesn't need another detention. In the master bedroom, there's a man who looks a lot like Tim arguing with an auburn-haired woman.
"Jack," the woman says exasperated, "I don't care your still angry with me over keeping Tim's secret. That's not the issue today. Today is about the boys and their future. That's why Superman is coming here, remember?"
"I know, Dana," Jack said with a sigh, "I don't like this—any of this."
That is enough I decide to knock.
A chair scraps against the floor. Light steps pad through the apartment to the door. There's a pause, then after a click of the dead bolt, the door opens to reveal Tim. I have to admit he's an attractive boy with his short black hair and keen blue eyes that hold wisdom and experience beyond his years. He reminds me a lot of Bruce except that Tim's face is different. It holds some sense of whimsy or mirth in the upturn corners of his mouth and eyes that has never been present in Bruce's face as long as I've known him.
There's no recognition at first, but it only takes a few second for it dawn then there's a small endearing closed mouth smile that makes me smile back.
"You're like a completely different person," He says with a bit of awe in his voice, "Kon said you were good, but I didn't realize how good."
"Thanks. Are you going to let me in?" I ask politely.
"Oh, sure," he says then undoes the chain lock and opens the door, "Have a seat in the living room. I'll go get my parents."
I sat down on the couch to wait.
Tim returns after a moment and says, "They'll be out in a minute."
"So, how's Conner?" He asks as a sadness creeps into his eyes.
It doesn't reach the rest of his face. That shows his skill at hiding emotion. I think it shows in his eyes because he's still used to having a mask concealing them.
"He called the other night, but my dad answered the phone so I never got to talk to him," he continues.
"He's doing fine but he misses you." I reply trying to offer some comfort.
He nods then says, "I hope you can fix this."
Suddenly, I feel a great pressure. This young man's hopes weigh more than any mountain could.
"I'll try," is all I can say.
He nods sagely as his father enters the room followed closely by Dana.
"I'm sorry we have kept you waiting…" Jack says then pauses when he catches sight of me.
"You're not wearing your costume." Dana says stating the obvious.
"I thought this would make our conversation a little easier," I explain.
"Right," Jack says regaining his composure, "of course."
"Tim," Dana says, "Why don't you finish your homework in your room."
Tim says nothing. He just leaves the room.
"I'm sure you have other things to attend to, Superman, so we should get right down to the business at hand." Jack says sounding very much the businessman as he seats himself in an armchair.
"Oh, there's no need to rush," I reply, "I alerted the Justice League that I would be indisposed for the evening, so they're picking up the slack and please, call me Kal."
"Kal?" Dana questions from her seat on the couch next to Jack.
"Kal-El is my Kryptonian name." I answer.
"Then what should we call Superboy?" she asks.
"Conner is fine or Kon. Kon-El is Kryptonian name."
"Would you like something to drink, supe… I mean Kal?" Dana asks.
"Water would be fine," I answer.
Dana leaves then returns carrying a tray with two mugs, a glass of ice, and a bottle of water on it. "I hope this is good enough." She says handing me the bottle and glass before sitting near her husband.
"This is good. Thank you, Mrs. Drake."
"Please, call Dana."
"Alright, Dana."
"Can we please get to the business at hand," Jack says irritably leaving his coffee untouched.
"Please go on, I'm sorry, Mr. Drake"
"I'm sure you're well aware that we caught Conner and Tim having sex." Jack says, "We were unaware Tim was dating anyone, let alone your boy. I think he was keeping it a secret due to the fact I forbid him contact with Br…Batman. Not that we have anything against you or …"
I shrug the comment off. "I don't think that it was Tim keeping their relationship a secret, but that they didn't know they had relationship."
"What do you mean?" asks Dana.
I explain, "The boys have been best friends for quit some time. It seems that they're relationship has been changing recently and neither of them realized how much it had changed until Tim gave up being Robin."
"Exactly," says Tim from the shadows in the hall.
"That's very assuring," says Jack, "but that doesn't address the fact that you and your boy are part of a very dangerous world. One I don't want us or my son to be any part of."
His concern is valid and I can address it easily enough, but I can sense an accusation under his words. How could I let his son risk his life like he has?
I answer carefully, "Some times it's nice to imagine that the Jokers and the Riddlers are separate from everyday life. It's actually pretty easy to do when they tend to wear garish costumes and use elaborate plots to create their own brand of havoc, but you have consider these madmen would still exist even if heroes like Batman and myself didn't exist. They would be hidden amongst everybody else, but because we do exist they make themselves known and thus they are easier to deal with."
I pause to make sure they are following what I'm saying then continue, "You can try and forbid Tim from seeing Conner, because you fear the danger. I emphasize try, because Tim is a bright and resourceful young man. He proved that when deduced Batman's identity. Many people with vast fortunes and resources have tried for years and have never succeeded. When your son did it when he was twelve even before gaining the years of training he has now. In addition, with Conner as willing and powerful conspirator there is little we could do to keep them apart save locking them up somewhere and even that probably wouldn't work. Giving up the costume removes Tim from immediate harm, but that doesn't make him completely safe. With Conner as his boyfriend Tim is probably the safest boy on the planet."
Jack looks away from me and stares in to the air for a long time while Dana fidgets nervously and I can hear Tim holding his breath in the hall.
Finally, with a sigh Jack says, "I suppose your right, but it doesn't stop me from worrying."
"It shouldn't," I say, "worrying is part of being a parent. Even with Conner being nearly invincible, I still worry, but it does make me feel better that between the two of them there is almost nothing they can't handle."
Jack nods. "But what about the unprotected sex?"
I can almost hear Tim cringe at the question. "I'm afraid I'm slightly responsible for that. I really should have discussed safe sex with Conner, but I think we're safe on this point. Thanks to Conner's Kryptonian physiology, he is immune to all Earth based diseases and from my understanding; neither boy has had sex prior to this. Not to mention that both of them seem to be very committed to each other."
"I wish I could be certain of that," says Jack.
"What, of their virginity or their commitment?" I ask.
"Both."
"Jack," Dana says, "stop it. Do you even know what's coming out of your mouth?"
"Well, how do we know that this all true?" Jack says defending himself, "Okay, maybe they were virgins, but they're just kids. How do we know this isn't just some sort of phase—some type of experimentation? They could break up tomorrow."
It's my turn to sigh, but I don't. "It's simple we don't know," I say, "I know you don't want Tim to be hurt anymore than I do Conner, but life is full of uncertainties and as parents we can't protect them from everything no matter how much we want to. I know that Tim came out and said he was gay, so you're probably worried that this might be 'a phase' for Conner and that he might grow out of it and abandon Tim. I can assure that isn't going to happen."
"How can you be so certain?" Jack asks skeptically.
I answer simply, "Kryptonians mate for life."
Tim gasps and Dana gapes in surprise.
"R-really?" Jack stutters. "You're certain?"
I almost laugh. "Yes."
Jack and Dana look at each other trying to find help processing the bomb I just dropped. I knew the life-mate fact would kill most arguments the Drakes had, but it does raise new concerns, like what if Tim falls out love. This concerns me because I know what it's like to live without your mate and the mental anguish is almost crippling at times. The only thing that eases mine is Lois's embrace and the occasional contact Bruce allows. I don't want that for Conner, so I think I'll have to talk with Tim, if I get a chance.
"I guess," Jack says, breaking my thoughts "we should discuss rules, then."
"Of course," I say, "Let's discuss."
"Okay," Jack says gaining confidence, "No phone calls after Nine o'clock."
"Ten o'clock," Tim whispers.
"How about nine-thirty," I suggest.
"What's wrong with nine?" Jack asks.
"There's a time difference to contend with." I answer.
"A time difference," Jack says with quizzical look, "but you live in Metropolis."
"Actually, Conner lives on a farm with my parents." I confess, "The life I lead isn't really conducive to a stable home-life."
To my surprise, Jack nods sympathetically and says, "I understand, I faced the same problem with Tim. I wound up sending him to boarding school. Alright, nine-thirty it is, but no calls longer than fifteen minutes. We don't want to worry about long distance bills."
I nod, "Agreed."
"Next," Jack says, "no dates on school nights."
"Absolutely," I agree.
Jack thinks for a moment, then says, "No dates past ten."
"Not fair," Tim protests quietly.
I agree with him. "That's awfully early. We're talking about non-school nights." I tell Jack.
Jack mulls it over. "I suppose your right. How about Eleven o'clock?"
There's no peep from Tim. "That sounds good to me."
The rest of the negotiations go smoothly. I even convince Jack to let Tim see the rest of his hero friends, minus costumes, except the Batclan and they absolutely cannot get Tim involved in their heroics. I'm not so certain how well Tim will be able to up hold the ban on heroism. Courage and the will to do good isn't something that can just be turned off.
"Well, it was a pleasure meeting, Dana, Mr. Drake," I say standing.
"The pleasure was ours, Superman," says a more amiable Jack, "and please call me, Jack."
"If you will call me, Kal," I say shaking his hand.
"Of course, Kal." Jack turns and calls out, "Tim, come out and say goodbye to Superman."
Tim quickly and stealthfully retreats to his room before answering, "I'll be out in a second."
Tim comes into the living room and says, "You're leaving already?
I go with his ruse. "I think we accomplished what we set out to do, so it's time for me to go."
Tim turns to Jack and asks, "Can I see Superman out to the roof?"
"I don't see why not," Jack says.
"Well, again, it was nice meeting you," I say Jack and Dana as Tim gets on a jacket and boots.
"Please, call again," Dana says, "And maybe we can all have dinner together."
"I'd really enjoy that, thank you." With that said, Tim leads me out of the apartment.
When we reach the roof, Tim says, "I really want to thank you for your help."
"I'm glad I could help," I reply, "I wasn't certain I would have any affect on the matter."
"Really?"
"Sure," I say, "I'm superhero and I save people, but does that mean I can give parenting advice."
Tim looking thoughtful says, "I guess when you put it that way it makes sense. I glad anyway. Before my dad was being such an unreasonable jerk. He wouldn't even let me talk to Conner."
Tim stands gripping his hands into fists and I can see traces of anger and frustration on his face as he stares down at the roof.
I place a hand on his shoulder trying to ease his emotions. "You have to forgive your father for the way he has acted. He only wants to protect you and what's best for you. Your relationship with Conner has challenged what he believes is right for you and you need to understand people don't give up their beliefs very easily. The way he found out about you two was a slap in the face and made him want to hold on to them even tighter. Now, this evening hasn't fixed everything, but it has started it in the right direction. So, give it time and I'm sure that he will ease up. Remember, in the end he only wants you to be happy."
Tim looks up at and I see the anger is gone and most of the frustration has faded replace by a hopeful look. "You think so?" he asks.
"I'd guarantee it." I say then he hugs me.
I hug him back then and say, "I think it's time you went in. I'll tell Conner to call you soon."
"That would be great and thanks again for everything," Tim says before he disappears through the roof access.
Without turning around, I address the man hiding in the shadows. "What do you want, Bruce?"
"We need to talk," is all he says before diving off the roof.
tbc
A/N: Well ladies, gents and those who defy description, we have the long awaited and highly anticipated part 4 of "Caught in the Act". Okay, so maybe it's not highly anticipated, but it was certainly a long wait for which I'm sorry. Life got in the way and then I grew dissatisfied with the piece and decided to rewrite the entire chapter. It seems that the story has extended itself once again, but don't worry part five is already written. I just need to type it up. I hope to post it by the end of the month at the latest.