CHAPTER 3

Superman entered the cafeteria in Hall of Justice. It had been quite a while since he had last been here. After the disastrous talk with the clone, now name Connor, he had been quite busy taking international missions. To be speak the truth, he had taken them on purpose hoping sometime away from here would be good for both him and Connor. They were starting to really bond with their talk, but he almost called him Jon and well, he asked Connor about a new name. Maybe it's because of the way, he phrased it or some teenage angst, but Connor stomped off. He thought about going after him, but ended up giving, thinking some time off would be good for them.

As soon as he entered the cafeteria all the conversations around him stopped. Weird! He thought. Sure, he was away for few weeks, and there were some heroes who still looked up to him, but that would hardly incite a reaction like this. Unless they were talking about something related to him. Was it his birthday or something? He remembered league preparing a secret birthday party for him which he knew about due to superhearing. He had pretended it came as a surprise until batman for some reason told them, that he was pretending. Anyway, looks like he would have to let it be. They probably won't discuss it again and if it was something like a surprise, he shouldn't ruin it.

He sat next to Green Arrow and Black Canary. "Hi", he said. "What are you discussing?"

"Oh, nothing we were just discussing sidekicks", GA answered.

Black Canary chipped in, "More like I was telling him how irresponsible it was to take his underage niece to fight crime."

"Oh, come on, she would have done it on her own. But with me there, I can guide her, along the right path, help her when she is in over her head." Green Arrow said. "Not only that but a kid looking up to you like you are the best hero in the world is a different feeling, my friend."

Superman smiled, "I know". Remembering a seven-year-old Jon, wearing superman T shirt with a red towel wrapped around his neck.

"Of Course, you don't I mean …" Green Arrow continued as if he didn't hear him, until his mind finally registered the words, "You…. do…?" GA stammered. "I mean you had an actual sidekick?"

"Yes"

Even Black Canary looked shocked at this.

"Well, that's…. gr…. great." Green Arrow finished. Looks like his plan got down in the drain. He knew batman probably talked to superman about Superboy. And if Batman couldn't convince him then he could hardly do a thing. So that's how his plan began. He would have a fake fight with canary regarding sidekicks, then they will ask Superman to meditate. And by the end they will at least put an idea of sidekick in his mind. Then it will be easy to make him take Superboy as his sidekick.

"Look Superman," Canary began. Already sensing the stupid plan was over. She preferred a more direct approach anyway. "This might seem blunt, but you should get over whatever issues you have with Superboy. I know he is your clone, but disowning him without getting to know him is just cruel." By the time she finished her sentence her voice was very high. She just couldn't help it. She had formed a special bond with the boy, due to there training. She had just started to help him overcome his shell, when bam! he regressed back into it. Courtesy of the man in front of her, so forgive her for getting a little angry.

There was a pin drop silence, after that proclamation. But soon the murmurs began. 'So, it's true…', '…didn't expected this from superman…', '...looks like that paper was right…'

Clark stood there for few seconds his face going through various emotions, hearing all the gossip going around to get an idea. Then his eyes narrowed on the woman in front of him and then he said, "Listen to me Canary. I didn't disown him, I thought batman already cleared that up. I will accept him when I am ready to, not when someone tells me. And", here he glared up at her and said, "if you want it so bad then, why don't you adopt him."

He was going to say more until his superhearing picked up a sound. Something distinct, which his fortress was supposed to send, when it detected the hypercube signal again.

Without a word to others he left, creating a strong gust of wind, spilling others lunches, messing their hairs, etc. Thankfully he didn't have to break the doors as they were made for emergencies. They would open up fast enough that even flash doesn't have to stop and wait for them.

AN: So that's it for today, again sorry if someone seem out of characters. Please review and give me some pointers to improve my writing. Thanks.