The Road to Happiness, The Long One
A/N: That last chapter gave some much needed answers, right? Let me know what you thought in a review or private message! Ideas and suggestions are welcome as well!
SSF (Summary So Far): (Just re-read the last few chapters, they're not that long and worth re-reading)
Characters: Cal (Your "average" mysterious male), Mason (Cal's best and most trustworthy buddy), Kara Danvers (Kara Zor-El, AKA Supergirl), Jason (Kara's Ex), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Dick Grayson (Nightwing), Clark Kent (Superman), Lois Lane (Superman's wife), Batman, Bartholomew, and more that aren't quite ready to be presented yet. (Lots of characters are Out of Character (OOC).)
Chapter 11
Cal made his way to find Kara, who was waiting for him at the entrance of the school. He smiled at Kara who beamed and hugged him.
"For a sec I thought you weren't going to come," Kara said.
"Well, I won't lie, I thought about it a lot, but in the end I knew I couldn't leave you alone here," Cal admitted. Kara smiled and squeezed his hand. Cal's eyes were wide with fear and his face was pale. 'You've fought trained killers and killed demons from hell… You've spent months in the wilderness behind enemy lines… You can handle some guardians for a few hours," Cal thought to himself. Kara and Cal waited, hand in hand, for Kara's guardians. After a while, Kara spoke.
"Do you know who my guardians are?" Kara asked. Cal shook his head, but before Kara could explain, a black limousine pulled up next to the school's entrance. Cal's eyes widened. He looked at Kara. "Yeah, about that," Kara said as they made their way to the limo. "My guardians are Lois and Clark Kent, as in Kent Corporations…"
"Wait, WHAT?!" Cal exclaimed. The driver got out of the limo and opened the door for Kara and Cal. Kara got in and Cal followed slowly. He got in and sat down. He looked for a seat belt, but there was none to be found. The inside of the limo was well lit from outside lighting, as well as the inside lights in the ceiling. The seats were a comfortable black leather and the floor was carpeted. The seats had intervals in which various things were placed. Cup holders, speakers, and a solitary TV filled these spaces. Doors were placed only on the right side of the limo, near the front and back of the seating arrangements. Mr. and Mrs. Kent sat between the doors, and Cal sat near, but not next to, Kara. Clark Kent wore a suit, which strained against his large muscles. His body was large, inciting fear to those who saw him. Mrs. Kent wore a simple dress, the kind that suggested that they were going out, but nothing crazy. When Mr. Kent saw Cal, his fists tightened, causing his knuckles to go white. He studied Cal, glaring at him. Cal nervously fidgeted, waiting for Clark to speak first. Silence enveloped and finally Kara spoke.
"Hi Clark, this is Cal. He's the one who saved my life…" Kara said, cutting the silence. Clark's glare at Cal intensified.
"For that, I am grateful, but what exactly are your intentions with Kara?" he asked. Cal opened his mouth to speak, but Kara cut him off.
"Clark! Don't you do that!" Kara said. Clark managed to rip his eyes from Cal and look at Kara.
"I can and I will!" Clark said. He turned his attention back to Cal. "Answer the question! What are your intentions?" Kara opened her mouth to protest, but this time Cal answered before she could speak.
"Well, it may be easier to tell you what my intentions AREN'T," Cal said. "My intentions are not to harm Kara, hurt her, or take advantage of her. I simply wish to care for her and keep her safe all the while keeping her happy. In return I ask nothing, except maybe Kara make me into a better person, which she has already begun to do," Cal said. "I'm sorry if that sounded like an old version of English, I'm not used to talking like that." Kara smirked in pride and Lois looked on in surprise and interest. Clark bristled in surprise and anger.
"You chose your words wisely, I respect that. However, it seems wherever you go, trouble follows. Simply after your date with Kara, you got into a cab that malfunctioned and blew up…" Clark said.
"Clark, don't be hard on the boy, bad luck follows everyone, even us," Lois pointed out. The car slowly rolled to a stop. The driver opened the door and everyone slowly piled out.
"That is no excuse, I want Kara to be safe—" Clark started.
"Which Callum has already admitted he will do his best to do," Lois pointed out. Clark looked at Cal and Cal nodded. Clark sighed.
"Fine, but I'm not exactly letting this go," Clark said to Cal.
"I would expect nothing less Mr. Kent," Cal said. Clark sighed.
"Call me Clark, I'm tired of hearing 'Mr. Kent' from the office every day," Clark said. Cal nodded. Clark also nodded and stuck his hand out. Cal took it and shook it firmly. Clark squeezed his hand, almost crushing it, but Cal remained calm, wincing ever so slightly. Clark leaned in and whispered, "Hurt her, bring harm to her in any way, indirect or unknowingly, and I will kill you…" Cal's eyes widened in slight fear, but before anyone could see he smiled and nodded. Clark looked him over and proceeded to turn around and head into the fancy 5-star restaurant.
"I'm seriously underdressed…" Cal whispered to Kara, who giggled.
"Doesn't matter, and even if people stare, it doesn't matter. They can't judge you because my guardians brought us here directly after school," Kara lamented. Cal smiled.
"You are very smart, have I ever admitted that?" Cal asked.
"No, I don't think that has come up yet," Kara said.
"Well, you surely are one of the smartest people I know," Cal said. Kara giggled and smiled. Clark looked over his shoulder and glared. Kara noticed and quickly sobered up. Clark made it to the reception area and mentioned his name, slipping the waiter a 20-dollar bill. The waiter thanked him and led him to a corner booth. When they arrived, Clark thanked him and the waiter nodded and left. They sat down, getting comfortable. They opened their menus when Clark spoke.
"So Callum, what's it like, getting hit by a semi?" Clark asked.
"Well, it's like having large, dense metal thrown at you with a great deal of force. You can feel the metal and glass crunching under your body as well as the shredding of skin and cracking of bones. I guess you could say it feels like a really large, intense whip," Cal described. His mind went over the scenario in a slow motion 3d look. He shuddered slightly at the reminder of the pain.
"That's a very… detailed explanation," Lois said. "Must feel terrible to bring that back up." She glared at Clark. Clark fussed with his tie and looked uncomfortable. Kara glared at Clark. The waiter saved the day by appearing and asking for as a start for their choices of drinks and appetizers. Clark answered for wine, insinuating that Cal would never be able to handle it and claimed Cal could have a water.
"Water? If you want to insult me, you might as well get me some chocolate milk," Cal joked. Lois and Kara laughed, but Clark glared at him. Even the waiter tried to hide his smile.
"Fine, chocolate milk for the boy," Clark glared.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but we do not have any chocolate milk…" the waiter said.
"Fine, we'll all have wine," Clark said, spitting out a fancy French name for a wine. The waiter nodded and after Clark chose the appetizer the waiter left. Clark glared at Cal.
-Break-
By the end of the dinner, the 2 bottles of wine had been finished and Cal felt fine. He could walk in a straight line and nothing was 'fuzzy' as he had been warned about by TV and others. Lois and Kara had had one glass, leaving Clark to attempt to embarrass Cal by challenging him to a drinking game. Clark was also perfectly fine, studying Cal. He paid the check and they went back to the limo, which was waiting for them as they walked out. They clambered in and Clark told the driver Cal's address, which didn't seem to surprise Cal all that much.
"So you can hold your liquor… You drink often?" Clark asked. Cal shook his head.
"I shouldn't be drinking now, I certainly don't drink anywhere else," Cal answered.
"Speaking of which, don't try to do anything, this was a one-time thing and not law suit or accusation is going to stick," Clark said.
"I wasn't going to," Cal said.
"Good, good," Clark said.
"So, Clark, are you done testing and prodding Cal?" Kara asked.
"I have not been testing or prodding him!" Clark exclaimed. Cal raised his hand.
"I will admit, I am done testing and prodding," Cal joked. Lois tried to hide her laughter, and Kara laughed, grabbing Cal's arm. Clark halved a smile, but immediately glared at Kara's arm, which was wrapped around Cal's. Silence ensued until Clark spoke.
"So Callum, what do you think about this newest super hero?" Clark asked. "The one with the armor?"
'Crap,' Cal thought. 'Did Batman tell someone? Like, Superman, for example? He seems different somehow, but I know it's him…'
"I think he's pretty cool, armor that looks awesome, can survive an 8 story fall, get up perfectly fine, saves people," Cal said aloud. Clark nodded.
"What do you suppose his powers are?" Clark asked.
"Well, he must have a healing factor of some sort, otherwise there is no way he could survive that fall. He can't fly obviously, but he sure can escape apparently. I would guess super strength if anything," Cal guessed. Clark slowly nodded in understanding.
"True, but who says he has any? He could just be a normal person…" Clark pointed out. Cal shrugged.
"That's why it's speculation and not fact. We don't know the fact," Cal said. The car stopped and Cal climbed out, but Clark climbed out too. He grabbed Cal's arm.
"Callum, I'm going to tell you this in some level of confidence. I don't exactly approve of you and Kara, but it seems that you, if anyone, would be a good fit for her. I'm going to leave you and her be, but mark my words. If you let her or cause her to get hurt I swear I will hunt you down to the ends of the universe if I have to," Clark threatened.
"And I'll tell you something in confidence, if she did get hurt because of me in any way, I would both expect nothing less and wish you to do your worst. Goodnight Clark. I have a feeling I'll be seeing you around," Cal said, leaving Clark speechless. He waved goodnight to Kara through the window, but he couldn't actually see her. He assumed she waved back and went into the orphanage. Clark stood there silently for a moment, considering Cal's meaning. He brushed his shoulders quickly and climbed back into the limo, confused.
"…so? Clark? What are your thoughts about him?" Kara asked. Clark raised an eyebrow.
"You can date him, but the moment I smell trouble or you're hurt…" Clark took the remote for the TV and crushed it in his hand. "I won't pull any punches…" Kara rolled her eyes.
'After what I saw a few days ago in the classroom, I doubt you could land a single punch,' Kara thought to herself, thinking about Cal's bright performance of his power and skill. She smiled to herself.
"So you understand then?" Clark asked. Kara nodded.
"Good, let's go home," Clark said. "It's late."
-Break-
Cal put on his armor, waiting before putting on his helmet.
"You sure about this? It won't be easy…" Mason said. He was eating a burger by the computers, being careful not to spill. Cal sighed.
"I need Batman off my back, and this time I need to surprise him. I doubt Superman knows yet, but Batman is waiting for proof before he'll tell the rest of the League, but with Chronos on my back I don't need an entire League on me as well or getting in my way to 'help'," Cal used air quotes when saying 'help'.
"Well, either way you are going to have to deal with Batman, so I guess it's a good idea to deal with him sooner rather than later," Mason commented. "I still think it would be easier on you if you let me go with you and or help you with this sort of thing."
"We've talked about this, I won't let you because I don't want anything to happen to you, end of story!" Cal said. Mason shook his head, disagreeing. Cal raised an eyebrow, waiting for Mason to protest as he usually did, but Mason said nothing in response. "Anyway, while I'm on my way, let me know if there's anything I can help with nearby… It's going to be a long ride and I'll be back by morning right?" Mason nodded and turned on the police scanner, clicking a few things, and the computer was sorting out what was both nearby and urgent. Mason put on Netflix on another screen and brought up the security cameras of the orphanage. Cal looked everything over, put on his helmet, and left through the window. He found his bike, hidden among the leaves left from autumn on the outside of the orphanage walls. Cal walked it about a half a mile, then hopped on, taking off. He got onto the highway, glad he managed to retrieve a license plate that was magically infused to change every oh-so-often from Bartholomew. He made it 10 minutes of the 2 hours and 40 minutes when Mason beeped in.
"There's an airplane that's lost control… Just park and look up for it, hurry!" Mason said. Cal quickly made his way off the highway and quickly parked in an alley. He looked up and noticed the plane. Cal blanked his mind and focused on the white again. He focused on being able to defy gravity and lift what he needed. He felt something surge through him and he opened his eyes. He took off into the air and found the plane. He positioned himself under the plane and put the plane's weight onto his shoulders. He pushed up, attempting to let the plane glide to safety, when he noticed there was no possible place for a landing strip. The Protector pushed the plane back into the air, looking for a possible landing strip, when he noticed the airport. He attempted to keep the plane balanced on his shoulders, but he was struggling to do it. He went forward, but the plane's nose managed to point upward, sending the plane backward and slipping from The Protector's grasp. He caught the plane, rebalancing it once again. He moved forward again, but this time he overcompensated for the last time, causing the plane to slip from his grasp and head forward and down, but this time someone else caught it. The Protector looked and saw the flowing blonde hair in a red cape once again. Supergirl smiled at him.
"Looked like you needed some help, you take that side. Let's guide this plane to the airport," Supergirl said. The Protector nodded and he moved to the back of the plane. They, together, guided the plane to the airport. The landing gear deployed and Supergirl and The Protector managed to get the plane to land safely and carefully. "I was hoping to run into you again, and after that I'm glad I did, but I'm not too over joyed by the circumstances," Supergirl motioned toward the plane. "Well, I must say, your armor looks amazing. Mind if you tell me where to find some?" The Protector nodded.
"I make it myself, I can make you one if you'd like…" The Protector said. Supergirl nodded excitedly. "I'll find you when it's done."
"Okay, thank you!" Supergirl said excitedly.
"I will tell you, it takes a while to make, it being special metals and blacksmithery and all," The Protector pointed out. Supergirl nodded.
"Of course, I understand," Supergirl replied. The Protector nodded and flew off, finding his bike where he left it. Cal hopped back on and focused on letting the flying and super strength leave him. He felt a slight loss of energy and he knew the power had left.
Cal made it another 2 hours before Mason beeped in.
"I'm hearing some good stuff about that last saving, but there is something else. There's a police shoot out about a mile and a half away, if you're interested," Mason said, giving him the address. Cal got off the highway and sped towards the scene. He arrived, not taking his usual precautions to remain hidden from public view. The bullets stopped as he stopped his bike in front of the police, hopping off. He walked toward the building, letting the attackers resume firing. The bullets made contact with The Protector's armor, but instead of bouncing off, the armor absorbed the bullets, making the armor slightly more white with each round it absorbed. The Protector made it inside the building, locating and taking out each attacker. Finally, only a single gunman remained. He held his pistol to a hostage, warning 'The Protector' to stay back. The Protector held his hands up, cocked his head, and waited. The gunman held his gun to the hostage's head, his hand shaking. The Protector zipped forward, faster than a blink of the eye, shoved the hostage away to safety, and held the gunman's gun to his head. The gunmen's eyes were full of fear and he was sweating, and he pulled the trigger. The Protector's head shook to the side slightly in response to the bullet, but he responded to the bullet by punching the gunman unconscious. He helped the hostage to her feet, leading her out the door, to the awaiting medics and police. Before he could be stopped, The Protector hopped on his bike and rode off. He made it to Gotham and took off towards Wayne Manor…