A/N: Thank you so far for your reviews. The beginning does not contatin a lot of Chlark, but I promise it is coming. This is setup, and once the Chlark comes in, it'll come in droves.

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Chapter 1:
Scene 3

Clark fumbled to open his shirt as he ran quickly to a hidden alley just behind the Daily Planet. It took him only a second to switch to his familiar super hero costume, adorned with the signature "S" on the front with blue, red, and yellow colors. He never liked costumes very much, but such precautions had to be taken when he could give no other forethought to performing many of his heroics in front of millions of people. It gave him the freedom he often needed in such times of distress, allowing him to do whatever was necessary to ensure he saved those in trouble. And really, it could be worse - he could be forced to wear some type of mask or something that would really be uncomfortable.

Not that the whole red cap and blue tights wasn't uncomfortable enough, Clark mused with a smile, jolting from the ground and up into the blue, Metropolis sky above.

Once in the air, Clark found the man easily when he saw the revolving lights from fire trucks and ambulances just down the street. Kicking it into high fear, he sped through the sky like a bullet to reach the building as quickly as possible, hoping he would have more than a few seconds to catch the man before it was too late. If luck was on his side today, he might be able to talk the man out of his suicidal attempt and perhaps forgo the entire rescue altogether.

Many people stood on the roof with the young man, who teetered gently on the edge while holding a briefcase tight to his chest. As Clark landed, he noticed the shock glances his way, sensing many had never seen him in person before. The name, his name, Superman lingered through the air while his presence weighed heavily on the scene around him. When he entered such situations, he knew he was no longer Clark Kent, reporter, but rather Kal-El, alien from another planet; rescuer of those in need, savior to those in danger, and defender of moral values, such as truth and justice.

They were, above all, enormous roles to fill, and difficult expectations to meet. Both were two very good reasons as to why Clark often found himself in awe of his accomplishments, and truly humbled when so many people put so much on his shoulders. He never thought it would be like this - as he was given such god-like qualities, and the charge of representing everything that is good in this world. Everything that is worth fighting for.

Clark sighed deeply and drove those thoughts away, knowing perfectly well how often he cowered away in denial when he let the true weight of his insurmountable responsibilities settle in his heart. There was no way anyone could live up to what was expected of him.

Even worse ... Lois had to come up with the name Superman. A name that has caught on in droves now, six months after he started appearing in Metropolis as the Man of Steel. Another name many have given me, Clark thought, regretfully. If they only knew me ... how many bad things I've done in my life. All the pain I've caused.

"Superman!" came a shout from behind him, causing Clark to turn to see the Metropolis Fire Department Chief smiling at him. "Thank you for coming."

Clark nodded, then turned to step towards the young man that stood on the edge, clearly trembling. "What's your name?" he asked, the man's attention now drawn to him completely.

"Peter," he replied, his voice caught in the gentle breeze.

Clark stepped a little closer, and saw the tears in Peter's eyes. In a way, the show of emotion comforted him, because he sensed the true loss this man felt. Something terrible must have happened to him, Clark was sure of it. And he could see the reflection of Peter's broken heart on his face. "Peter?" he asked, smiling a little more widely. "I once knew someone else named Pete. He was a great guy, and I bet you are, too."

Peter turned away, hugged his briefcase closer. "No, I'm not. I'm a fool. I have never done anything right in my life. I've been so consumed by my job, by what my family wants me to be ... I feel so lost, so out of control."

Clark reached a hand out. "I understand your pain. If you come down ... we can talk about it some more."

Peter then turned quickly to him, his eyes burning with anger. "I don't think you do understand! I have nothing to live for anymore. Nothing. Please just ..." he began again, turning his attention to everyone on the roof. He flailed his arms widely and shouted, "Just leave me alone! Please! Let me be!"

"I can't do that, Peter. None of us here can," Clark explained, stepping closer still. "You think no one cares, but you have an entire city stopped in its tracks, wanting to help you. Please ... let us help."

Peter sighed deeply as he looked back to the edge, gazing down at the numerous fire trucks, ambulances, and people who stood in awe and anticipation. So many people, so many that he couldn't even see them all as they blended together in a rainbow of dots all along the ground below. He shook his head, his previous passion quickly losing power under the reality of his fears, of death. Perhaps a sign that there was still hope in him.

"Peter," Clark called, forcing his young friend to turn to him. "It's okay. Whatever might be bothering you - it can be conquered. We can get you the help you need."

Suddenly, anger burned in Pete's eyes again, the shift in his demeanor clear. "You mean ... professional help? Like a shrink?" he asked irritably.

Clark swallowed nervously and sensed he may have hit a button he didn't know existed. "Um, well ... "

"The last thing I need right now is some stranger listening to my problems. A stranger who doesn't even care," Pete shouted, gripping his briefcase closer than ever before. "What I need ... is to leave."

And then he was gone.

The world shifted into slow motion for Clark as he bolted through the air to follow the man down the side of the building. He only hoped he would have enough time to reach the bottom, realizing now that he probably should have just grabbed the man before he had the chance to hurt himself. Oddly, Clark felt it necessary to give Peter a chance to decide on his own whether he wanted to live or die. Perhaps as a way to give the young man a sense of freedom in a time where he felt so trapped. Despite his intentions, his tactic didn't work. And now, he only hoped his mistake would not be fatal.

The shocked shouts of the crowds below seemed deafening the closer Clark came to reaching the ground. He could already tell his speed seemed to pay off again, as he passed the falling Peter just in time to land below him. And just in time for Pete to fall right in his arms in the following second.

Clark let out a sigh of relief, just as the crowds yelped and shouted in appraisal of the rescue. Though fans often terrified him, Clark could not help but feel his heart warm a little under the applause. The people of Metropolis were getting used to him now, and no longer seemed to fear him as many did before.

However, Peter jumped out of his arms, the fury painted in red on his cheeks as he pointed to Superman. "Are you insane? I didn't want you to rescue me! Why did you do that? Don't you get it? I wanted to die. Just ... leave me alone, all of you!"

Exasperated, Peter tried to violently push through the crowds and run away. Yet police officers grabbed a hold of him before he could get too far, knowing now he may not only be a danger to himself, but to others, as well. He certainly needed an assessment before they could feel safe to release him again. And though Peter tried to escape their grasp as they pulled him towards the ambulances, his attempts were barely effective.

As the officers tried desperately to soothe him with comforting words, Peter's eyes found Clark's again as he struggled and shouted. "You stupid alien! Why don't you go home and leave us earthlings alone, huh? We don't want you here! You're a plague on this planet! You're a stranger! Leave us alone!"

Clark looked away as the police officers pushed him into the ambulance, his last cries quickly muffled when the doors slammed behind him. Though he knew it was best not to let such words affect him, Clark still felt a pang of guilt for even involving himself in such a situation. But even as he considered it might have been better for him to leave Peter to his own fate, he also knew that, as Superman, one of his many responsibilities was to give people second chances. Especially if those same people insist they don't want it.

To be the rational thinker in times of distress ... to do for people now, when they need it the most, Clark thought confidently.

Suddenly, frantic rumblings within the crowd broke through Clark's wayward thoughts. He looked behind him and saw a man talking to a few other people that surrounded him, telling them a story. Telling them a nightmare.

"Yeah, just a few minutes ago, this guy just walked right up to this mother and her child, mugged them. Then dragged the mother into an alley and raped her. Then he killed both the mother and the child and ran off," the man explained with disdain, the sadness in his tone clear and distinct.

Another woman asked, hopefully, "Did the police catch the guy?"

The man nodded. "Yeah, but ... it was too late."

Clark's heart dropped into his stomach, as the guilt weighed in on him like a million pounds of despair all across his shoulders. Instead of listening any further, he shot into the sky before anyone could stop him, before anyone saw him. Before anyone could blame him for not being where he should have been, for not being the hero he was meant to be.

For not saving those who needed him the most.

His guilt would be his own punishment and it forced Clark to fly to the very top of the earth. To the spot meant only for him. To the cold sanctuary only a few from his past knew of, specifically a distant Chloe Sullivan from long ago. Be he didn't come up here to be swallowed up in nostalgia, or to remember a life he left behind.

No, he came up here to scream at the top of his lungs, drenched completely in the agony of his grief for a mother and child he didn't save.

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more to come ...