Clark Slips

Later that day Clark went out on the town, just minding his own business. Here and there he'd go off and help someone, but his real, Superman days were over. He sighed, almost with relief, and saw Lex Luthor's limo parked outside of one of the many Luthor Corp. buildings. Clark frowned; he and Lex had been good friends at one time, what had happened?

Hazard looked up and saw Clark walking a few feet from them. He bit back the urge to say hello, knowing that Clark would probably think that was weird. So, instead he just looked back at Lex, who was talking with, wondering if Clark would walk over here and if that would be a bad thing or not. Would he know it was him? No. His mask would make sure of that. Yeah, he was fine.

Clark was going to walk on by, but he saw Hazard and Lex. He frowned slightly, but told himself once again that Hazard was the new guy in town, and walked over there to greet them. "Hey…" he replied, walking up. He looked Lex up and down, then sighed, turning to Hazard. "Aren't you that new guy?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm the new guy. The name's Hazard." Hazard replied, extending his hand to shake Clark's and saying.

"Oh. Nice name. He looked back at Lex and nodded slightly. "Hey, Lex." He replied. He hated it that their friendship had vanished so quickly, but there was nothing Clark could really do about that. Lex knew he was hiding something from him.

"Thanks." Hazard replied, turning to Clark.

Lex looked over at Clark with a cold stare. "Hello, Kent."

Clark nodded to Lex. "How's life going for you?" He asked. "It seems as if it is treating you well. You all fancied up in your million dollar suit, hanging out with a super hero...tell me again why you and Superman aren't friend." He knew that the subject on Superman was normally something Lex hated to talk about.

Lex gave Clark an angry glare. "Superman and I have our...differences. It seems Superman has several people who are not "crazy" about him. Isn't that true, Mr. Hazard?" Lex asked, turning to Hazard

"Definitely. I'm one of them."

"Heh, we know, Mr. Hazard, we know. Well, if this conversation is over, Kent..."

Clark nodded slightly and held out his hand. "It was nice seeing you Hazard. With Superman gone the city is yours. Watch over it well. Keep the people safe. The people are always first. Always go after them. Never the bad guys. Always make sure the victims are safe first." Clark sighed heavily. "Though I-Superman, knows how it feels to watch over the people. It can be tiresome."

"Not for pro-boys like me! This is going to be fun! I'll save more people than all the JLA and JSA put together! I'm gonna be the new "super"-star! Hahaha! Speaking of the JLA..." Hazard looked around and leaned over to Clark and whispered. "Hey, Clark, you know Superman, right? And, he knows the JLA? Well, you think he could hook me up? I mean, just tell them about me. I got my own friends, right now." Hazard muttered, gesturing towards Lex. "But, you know, for later. So, they know me."

Clark shrugged. "Don't know if I can help you there. Superman….well…you're not his favorite person around, plus he's left the city. I'm figuring that he won't be back for a couple of weeks, months, years even. Sorry, Hazard." Clark let go of his hand and then turned to Lex. "It was nice seeing you again Lex. How's the business?" he asked. Clark was still kinda shaky cause, once again, he had almost let it slip that he was Superman.

"Heh, his loss. I got my own connections anyway." Hazard muttered, noticing that yet again Clark had stuttered at the mention of Superman. "Maybe? No. Couldn't be. Could it?"

"The business is going great, as always, Clark. If my father taught me one thing, it was how to run a business. Now, come along, Mr. Hazard. We have business to attend to. "

"Cool, can we get a pizza?"

"Heh, of course, Mr. Hazard. We'll get one on the way."

"Pepperoni?"

"Of course. Now, come on. Let's go." Lex turned to Clark with a stiff stare. "Good bye, Clark. It was nice speaking with you." Lex got in the car and Hazard followed, but as he reached the limo door he turned to Clark and stared at him.

"Heh, no, couldn't be. Far too clumsy." He muttered as he stared at Clark and then reached his hand out to shake Clark's. "See ya around, Clark."

Clark shook Hazard's hand, a little too firmly than he meant to and he pulled away quickly, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "Well….ya later, Hazard. Good luck at keeping the city safe. God knows it was hard for m-Superman to do it. Well…bye." he didn't speak to Lex again. He'd probably have gotten nothing more than just a cold stare and he didn't want that. He got it enough from people at work.

Hazard stared at Clark as he lowered his hand to his side. "Was he about to say 'me?'" Hazard wondered and then shook his head. "No, he just stuttered or something. Yeah. Got to be. He can't be him. Can he?" "I'll make Metropolis safer than it's ever been. I promise. It'll be easy. Bye, Clark." Hazard then got in the limo and shut the door. The limo drove off, leaving Clark alone again.

Clark sat at his desk. Jimmy watched him silently. He had noticed that Clark seemed somewhat happier since Superman left which made Jimmy confused.

"So…you like Superman?" He asked him again for the thousandth time.

Clark chuckled. "Yes. Superman is a nice guy."

"Then are you sad that he's gone?"

"Um….yeah…I guess."

"You guess? CLARK! Superman was your hero! How could you not be sad?" Jimmy asked. He looked over at Lois. "Would you put some sense into this man?"

Clark smiled.

Seth walked in, his usual, happy smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. He was whistling and he looked happier than usual, if that was possible. Clark clearly wasn't the only person happy about Superman's sudden disappearance. He walked over towards Clark and Jimmy, his whistle fading but not his smile.

"You happy too?" Jimmy asked. He looked disgusted. "Clark here was Superman's number one fan then….POP! No more!"

Clark chuckled. "I'm just glad that I-Superman is getting a break. He worked hard to keep the city safe."

Jimmy nodded then got up, walking out with his camera. He was going to take pictures of some of the rioters who wanted Superman back.

Seth eyed Clark and his smile faded slightly. He had said 'I'. This time Seth was positive. He had said 'I'. As if he was Superman. Clark was Superman... "Clark, could I speak with you for a minute. Privately."

Clark nodded and got up as he and Seth walked into one of the back rooms that were used for interviews. "Yeah? What can I help ya with?" Clark asked.

Seth looked around, making sure no one could hear them and then closed and locked the door. He looked around again and then leaned towards Clark so that his mouth was close to his ear so that no one could over hear them and then whispered. "I know your secret."

Clark's heart slammed against his chest, but he just shook his head, chuckling. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "What secret?" He then leaned towards Seth. "I have many secrets."

Seth smiled, he knew he had him know. He was Superman. It was plain and simple. The only thing that bothered Seth was why he had not figured it out sooner. "Don't play with me, Clark. You know what I'm talking about."

Clark licked his lips, then lowered his voice. "If anyone was to find out Seth. If Lex Luthor or Hazard or anyone else was to know they wouldn't let me rest. Since Hazard came I'm finally able to breath. To DATE even!" Clark sighed heavily. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone."

"Why would I tell anyone?" Seth asked, a bit hurt at his friends quick turn. Didn't anybody trust him? Metropolis was sure full of paranoid people. But, then a thought crossed Seth's face and his face darkened. "You're Superman." He stated, and some how, saying it made it more complete. More real. Clark was Superman. The man he hated. The man who was his rival. The man who thought he was an arrogant child. Sure, he didn't know that he was Hazard. But, that didn't change anything. Superman was his rival, Lex's enemy. Didn't that make Clark his enemy? No. They were friends. Weren't they? "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you trust me? You lied to us all. You lied and we were all fooled. I thought we were friends, Clark."

Clark sighed. "See, I knew no one would understand!" He lowered his voice again. "Seth…I have been on the run most of my life. If Lois or Jimmy or anyone I love were to know that I am Superman…then they'd be in danger. You are my friend Seth and that's why I trust you to keep this secret. Superman is no more, but I am. I don't want some evil villain taking my friends hostage just to take a stab at me. My parents were done that way too many times…I don't think I could live if it were to happen again." Clark took a deep breath. "And Hazard. He has it out for me because…well…I got jealous of him. I mean, I had worked my ass off keeping the city safe and then he came along…but then I thought about it and I was happy he came and I'll remain happy as long as he puts the people first…if he turns bad though..." Clark sighed. "I might have to do something about him. He's with Lex…and anyone in this city knows how evil he is…" It hurt Clark to say that about his old friend, but it was true. "And Lex …he wants me killed…he wants to get rid of me I know it…" Clark closed his mouth, maybe Seth had gotten his point by now.

Seth nodded understandingly as Clark spoke. He knew how it felt to lose someone you love. How bad it felt, especially when it was your fault. But, then Seth's eyes flashed at Clark's mention of Hazard. "Turn bad?" "Do something about him?" "You could never hurt me Clark, and I am the Hero now. I'm a good guy. Why can't anyone see that? Lex, can. Only Lex understands me. Only he cares about me. He's my friend. He's not evil," Seth thought and he began to get angry. "Lex is not evil, Clark! Hazard should be with Lex! Lex can help make him great! Lex will help him be great! And, if Lex wants Superman dead, then Superman should be dead! Lex is a smart guy, he knows what he's doing! He wouldn't want you dead if he didn't have a reason!" Seth yelled, and he knew he shouldn't have gotten so emotional. There was reason for Hazard to get upset, but not Seth. He shouldn't have shown how much he cared. Would Clark think something was up? Seth turned from Clark and took a deep breath, trying to force back his usual smile. He had slipped. He had figured out Clark's secret, would Clark figure out his?

"Seth, the Superman he wants dead is me." He then sighed heavily. "Go ahead and believe what you want about Lex. But just when you think that you're brothers…he'll stab you in the back or worse…" Clark trailed off and walked out of the room.