Chapter 10

Clark stormed into Lex's study.

"Clark, listen…"

"No Lex, you don't need to explain. I don't want anymore explanations. I don't need them. I can't handle them. I just wish I knew what happened. When did you become this person?"

"Clark I'm the same person I've always been."

"Oh really, then why are you associating with mobsters, brining in secret shipments of meteor rock. Chloe could have been killed. Lex to me there's two kinds of people, people like Bruce who take all the horrible dark things they've seen and use them, to help people and do good. And then there's people like you. Your past is no excuse for you to throw away your future."

"Clark those shipments, were for agricultural purposes and that was the last one. I'm not the monster you make me out to be."

"Really, you call those guys who attacked my house agricultural. Lex, I don't know who that guy was or why he let you go, but the way I see it he gave you a second chance. Sort of like I did that day by the river. The question is what are you gonna do with it."

Clark turned to go.

"Clark, you really don't have any idea who that was."

"No."

Chloe observed the people around her. It was an idyllic fall day. They had no idea what was going on in this city. Bruce approached and smiled at her.

"You shouldn't have followed me."

"A good reporter does anything to get her story."

"Still though, you're gonna get hurt one of these days," he said sitting.

"I'll be careful. So it looks like you were successful. The police are gonna be guarding the river twice as tight as they did before. And Edge is behind bars. But lex…"

"Yeah I know. Clark told you what happened," Chloe nodded, " Edge isn't talking, go figure, I just didn't want to destroy him yet. He can still be saved."

"Maybe. So what are you gonna do now."

"Go back to Gotham."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I really appreciate your help Chloe."

Bruce rose as did Chloe.

"I'm gonna miss you," she said tentatively.

"I'll miss you too. Take care of Clark, he needs you," Clark leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, "I was serious, if you ever need anything, call me."

The sun was setting on the Kent farm. Clark watched it as he had so many times before.

"Clark."

Clark turned and looked at Bruce.

"Hi."

"Interesting night," said Bruce moving next to Clark.

"Yeah, I read in the paper where Edge isn't talking, looks like Lex is off the hook. Thank you for letting him go."

"It was nothing. I don't like Lex, or what he stands for, but I know that you two have history and you can still help him. I guess I also did it because I don't think Lex is gone yet and I don't need to get him to validate what I've been doing. If he's gonna be brought down it's going to be by himself, not someone else."

The two stood in silence for a moment. The sun was sinking farther below the horizon.

"Clark, I wanted to apologize to you too. I said some things the other night in the slums that weren't true. I couldn't have gotten Edge if you hadn't been there, and well, I was wrong."

"Not really," said Clark glancing over to Bruce, "There is a lot more I could be doing with my powers. I just haven't figured out what that is yet. Any advice?"

"No, because I haven't figured out what I'm doing yet either."

"What, are you serious?"

"You sound surprised, why do you think I'm here. Yeah, I came because of Lex, but quite honestly ever since I got back from I've been lost. I go out around Gotham at night, patrolling, stopping muggings, but it isn't enough. Something's missing. I just don't know what. So I came here. I got away from my problem as always. I just felt like I needed to accomplish something on a larger scale. It's just so much harder in Gotham. There aren't many good people left there."

"You'll figure it out. We both will," said Clark reassuringly.

"I suppose so," the loft of the barn was now dark mostly, the two figures were silhouetted against the loft window, " I guess the only thing I could tell you is that whatever you do it can't be about yourself or you're no better than those you're fighting against. When I first started out all I wanted was revenge. I was in so much pain, and had so much anger from what happened, when I trained and helped people it was only because it took some of the pain away. The one thing I've learned is that this journey I've taken, it's bigger than me, than anything. For people like you and me, justice isn't about revenge . It's about sacrificing ourselves for what's right, for the truth."

"So what now?"

"Back to Gotham, It isn't beyond saving, not yet. Well take it easy Clark."

"Bruce, you said Lex is dangerous in more ways than one, what did you mean."

"I asked Lex if there was any women in his life, he said no but he was on the look out. When I met Lana I well… let's just say she's Lex's type."

"You think he'd…"

"I wouldn't put it past him, just hang on to her. I don't know what it's like to be close to anyone or anything. I would have loved to have that. It's just hard having it both ways. Take care of Chloe and Lois too, they both really love you."

Clark was slightly taken aback.

"I will."

"Goodbye Clark," said Bruce as he started down the stairs.

"Bruce, uh Lana mentioned something to me about bats, maybe there's something there. Just a thought," said Clark turning to look out towards the night.

"Maybe, and I just want you to know you're secrets safe with me."

Clark turned back but he was gone.

"So is yours."