The Road to Happiness, The Long One

A/N: Here's Chapter 13!

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 13 Day 5/16

Kara knelt over Cal's bloody form, tears forming in her eyes. She cradled Cal's head in her arms and put her hands on his wound. She put weight on the wound, attempting to stop the bleeding, but the blood kept rushing. She cried aloud as she looked at Cal's dying face. Cal reached up and caressed her cheek with his bloody hand reassuringly. Kara grabbed his hand and held it there, unwilling to let him go. Kara ignored the fire and fighting around her, for now, all that mattered were her and Cal and this moment. Cal smiled at her and his hand began to go limp.

"No!" Kara shouted, and Cal's eyelids fluttered. Kara leaned over him. "You come back to me you hear! You come back to me!" Kara's vision blurred as tears streamed down her face. She buried her head in his chest and wept.

"Always," came Cal's weak voice. Kara shot up and smiled through her tears, only to have her tears stream harder. Cal's mouth was leaking blood, and Kara knew from TV that wasn't ever a good sign. Kara held his hand and studied his face. She memorized every line, shadow, scar, and color of the person in front of her's face. Cal struggled to sit up and Kara helped him. Once he was upright Cal leaned in and whispered to her. "I love you Kara. I'll always come back. Always." Kara shot a look and him, surprised at his proclamation of emotions, but didn't say anything. She simply nodded, tears still streaming down her face. Cal looked at Kara for a moment, his face full of worry for her. Then he lifted Kara's chin up so she faced him and through the dirt and blood Kara saw the person she fell for, long before he saved her life. Kara saw Callum Orson, the quiet, intelligent boy who was nothing but respectful and thoughtful towards anyone and everyone. She saw the hope in his eyes, and before she knew it, Cal leaned in and kissed her soft lips. Cal pulled away slowly and looked Kara over one last time, but Kara wasn't finished. She kissed Cal back, pulling him in and smashing her lips against his. 'No,' Kara thought. 'I won't let him go.' Kara didn't care that the kisses tasted like blood. She didn't care that behind her was a battle that was all but lost. She didn't care about what the future held. Right there, in that moment, all Kara cared about was Cal. When she pulled away, Kara noticed Cal's dulled expression. Cal was near death and there was nothing she could do about it. Kara laid him gently back on the ground and kissed his forehead one last time, hearing Cal whisper "Always." one last time, and closing his blank, expressionless eyes. Kara wiped her eyes and stood up. Kara wore her red cape, attached to her blue, red, and gold armor that The Protector had made for her. Her armor glowed brightly, and Kara screamed into the sky, white hot lasers shooting from her eyes…

Kara sat up with a start. She was floating midair and her sheets were everywhere. She was covered in a cold sweat and very cold. She let herself down slowly, attempting to sort out what she had just dreamt. Kara picked up her sheets and piled them back on her bed. She glanced at the time, 1:26. Kara signed and went downstairs. She pulled a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water. She went back to her room and walked onto her balcony. She felt the gentle midnight breeze sooth her shocked body. As Kara drank her water, she thought about what she had just dreamt. "What just happened? Was that the future? Do I really tell Cal who I am? Where and when was I? Why did Cal die? Who mortally wounded him? If that is the future, how do I avoid it?" Kara said aloud, troubled by the dream.

"Well, maybe I can answer some of those questions?" a voice answered behind her. Kara gasped and turned around, dropping her glass in the process. Before the glass could land, the man caught the glass and placed it on the balcony railing. Kara backed away from him.

"Who are you?!" Kara demanded. She prepared herself for the worse, that this man had come for her. The man held up his hands.

"Whoa Kara, hold on!" the man said. "I am Bartholomew. I'm Cal's…" he struggled to find the right word, "great-uncle." Kara eyed him suspiciously. "Look, Cal and I might have had a sort of falling out a few days ago and I'm just looking out for him and by looking out for him I'm also looking out for you too. How else would I know where you live and who you are… Supergirl?"

"Continue," Kara growled. She didn't like her intruder's method of entering into a private thought session. "Answer some of my questions you heard just now…"

"Well, that dream you just had was a gift, from me. I have the ability to see into the future as well as share fragments of the future with others. I gave that to you so you could help me help Cal. That was the very real and near future, but I'm hoping that with you I can change that outcome," Bartholomew explained.

"So you showed me that for what reason exactly?" Kara asked. 'If this guy is related to Cal, and he has superpowers, does that mean that Cal has superpowers…' Bartholomew sighed.

"I want you to help me help Cal avoid that outcome. The other outcomes are by far better than that single one," Bartholomew said. Kara unclenched her fists.

"So how would I help avoid this outcome?" Kara asked, crossing her arms.

"Well, for one, avoid any and all contact with Cal," Kara opened her mouth to protest, but Bartholomew cut her off. "I know it won't be easy, but without you that outcome CAN'T possibly happen…" Kara thought about the dream again. The feeling of complete and utter despair… Losing Cal… 'Cal might be heart broken, but when it's all over I'll be able to go back to him, explain everything, and have everything turn back to normal, at least as normal as it can be…' Kara thought.

"Fine…" whispered Kara. Bartholomew nodded.

"Pack a bag, we're going now," Bartholomew said. Kara nodded and went back into her room to pack a few things. Bartholomew sighed and looked up at the moon. It was large and full, glistening. Bartholomew closed his eyes and focused. A portal appeared and grew into the shape of a door. After a while, Kara appeared with her bag. Bartholomew gestured to the door and Kara hesitantly walked through. Bartholomew followed and the door closed and disappeared behind him.

-Break-

Cal ran through the woods, the clamoring army behind him, echoing their steps with the rest of the forest. A bullet whizzed past his head, and Cal adjusted his course more to the right. He kept running, his breath labored and his feet tired. Trees flew by and a light fog settled upon the forest. Cal kept running, avoiding the occasional bullets, but one lucky bullet found its mark, burying itself into Cal's calf. Cal yelled in pain and tripped onto the ground, but he got right back up and continued running, limping as fast as he could. He made it to a clearing and took a look around. He noticed an odd door and, hearing the footsteps behind him get louder, quickly made his way to it. He opened the door, seeing only black, and entered. As he closed the door behind him, light flooded the room. Cal instantly recognized the room. He noticed a figure in the corner, huddled over a desk.

"Bartholomew…" Cal said. His wound healed itself. "Thanks for the backdoor out of my nightmare, but I'm not exactly in the mood to talk to you." Bartholomew turned.

"If you won't talk to me, then let me talk," Bartholomew said. He tossed a book to Cal. "That book is my journal. Every possible future I've seen is in there and…" Bartholomew paused. "It's really not pretty, under any outcome…" Cal flipped through the pages.

"What, no pictures?" Cal asked. "You can't just scare me into letting you help. Without my permission, you can't jump in."

"Ah yes, that ancient rule. 'No Mentor may interfere with The Current's business without permission' -Rule 43," Bartholomew quoted. "But alas, it is only your business I am not allowed in. Those near you however…"

"What did you do?" Cal asked. Bartholomew shook his head.

"That journal will be next to your bed," Bartholomew said. "Have fun in your nightmare!"

"Wait! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Cal screamed. Bartholomew flicked his wrist and Cal flew back into the clearing, his wound reopening. Cal got up and ran back into the woods, blood trailing from his wound…

Cal finally awoke and rubbed his eyes. Mason sat at a desk, flipping through Bartholomew's journal.

"Pretty detailed stuff in here, about our future. Pretty… gruesome…" Mason said. "Lots of death, except a few—"

"I read it already, I don't need a refresher," Cal said. Mason smiled and shrugged.

"I'm just saying that you and I both die in about 90% of these outcomes, and let's be honest, I'm just glad I die quickly in most if not all," Mason said. Cal looked over Mason's outfit, collared, button-up shirt and tie confused.

"What's with the fancy pants?" Cal asked. Mason laughed.

"Did you forget?" Mason continued laughing. "Fancy Friday? For Stage Craft and Theater?" Cal's eyes widened.

"I totally forgot!"

-Break-

Cal made it to school, his bag slung over his shoulder. He wore a black vest with a white button-up shirt. His black belt matched his black: pants, socks, and shoes with a brilliant cleanliness. Cal's hair whipped with the wind as he looked around for Kara, but she wasn't around. Instead, Cal noticed Barbara and Dick walking toward him.

"Hey, have you seen Kara at all?" Barbara asked. Cal shook his head. "Huh, weird. I haven't seen her either. By the way, you clean up nicely. What's the occasion?"

"Fancy Friday, for theater…" Cal answered. Barbara nodded, still impressed with Cal's ability to wear nicer clothes. Dick nodded at Cal. Cal nodded back.

"Well, tell Kara to come find me if you see her!" Barbara said, pulling Dick along with her. Dick waved and left. Mason and Cal looked at each other.

"Kara's not here?" Mason asked. "Sick?" Cal shook his head.

"She probably would tell Barbara if she was sick, but I'm going to give her a call at lunch if she's not here," Cal said. "Just to be safe…" he said after he noticed Mason's raised eyebrow. Mason laughed and shook his head.

-Break-

"I'll be right back, gotta make a quick call," Cal said. Mason smirked and nodded. Cal went out to the quad and found a quiet, shady spot. Cal pulled out his phone and dialed Kara's number. The call rang out so Cal left a voicemail.

"Hey Kara, I didn't see you today. I was just wondering where you were today. I missed you. Anyway, I was just calling to check on you. See you later!" Cal ended the voicemail and put his phone away. Cal turned around to head to the cafeteria, but Jason blocked his way. Jason put his hand to Cal's shoulder.

"Where's Kara?!" Jason demanded. Cal glared at him.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Cal lied, attempting to walk past him, but he blocked his way again. Cal sighed.

"You HAVE to know where she is… Where… is… Kara?" Jason whispered menacingly. Cal shrugged and tried to continue walking, but Jason growled and grabbed Cal, throwing him across the quad. Cal's bag slipped from his shoulder as he flew, sliding as he landed on his feet. His bag landed next to him and Cal snarled, taking off his vest and rolling up his sleeves. Jason made his way over to Cal. Cal finished rolling up his sleeves as Jason threw a punch. Cal avoided the punch by ducking and threw his own into Jason's ribs. A slight *crack* was heard and Jason stumbled back. Jason recovered and slammed his shoulder into Cal. Cal blew back and grabbed a tree, spinning around it and landing on his feet. Cal brushed the bark off his hands and rushed towards Jason. He threw his fist into Jason's face, feinting the punch and kneeing him in the ribs. Jason absorbed the blow, spinning around, and kicking Cal in the ribs. Cal flew back and hit the ground rolling. He jumped back up onto his feet. Jason ran towards him and tackled Cal. They crashed into each other and fell to the ground.

"You don't deserve Kara! You don't even know where she is!" Jason yelled, beating on Cal. With those words spoken, a thought appeared to Cal. Jason continued punching Cal, beginning to draw blood and Cal didn't even try to stop him. After a while, Jason stopped in shock. "Why aren't you stopping me? What is wrong with you?" He got off Cal and got to his feet. Cal wiped the blood from his face. He got to his feet, a dark look in his eyes.

"You're right, I don't deserve Kara… I don't even come close to deserving her…" Cal whispered. "But Kara chose to stoop down to give me a chance, and for that… I'll always be there for her when she needs me…" Jason looked him over.

"So you agree, you don't belong with her. But this is where we differ, because I deserve her! I've earned the right to have someone like her in my life! You don't know what I've been through! I earned her!" Jason exclaimed, outraged. Cal's eyes widened.

"You EARNED her?!" Cal yelled. By now, a large crowd had gathered, Mason and Barbara included. "You think you can EARN someone?! A person is not an OBJECT that you can EARN! Just because life is crappy doesn't mean you have the right to OWN someone!" Cal struggled to contain himself, but small, nearly invisible waves of gold rolled off him. Luckily, only Mason noticed and attempted to get Cal's attention. Cal noticed a flicker of movement in his peripheral vision. He glanced and noticed Mason. He was mouthing something. 'Waves…' Cal thought. 'Crap, I'm making waves!' Cal calmed himself and focused on Jason. "If you hurt Kara, I will kill you. If you touch Kara, I will kill you. If you THINK about hurting her… I will f*cking tear you to pieces…" Jason's eyes widened in fear. He backed away, tripping over himself, and ran away. After, the crowd dispersed and Mason walked up to Cal.

"…I'll kill him for you," Mason said, handing Cal some napkins. Cal smiled and shook his head.

"Nah, it's okay. I can handle him," Cal said, wiping the blood off his face. "Let him hit me cause he gave me an idea and needed a stress relief, but EARNING a human being…" Cal shook his head. "I shouldn't have let him hit me, not after hearing that. In fact, I should have been hitting him."

"So what idea did he give you?" Mason asked, handing Cal his vest. Cal took it and put it on.

"Bartholomew gave me his journal through a dream. He mentioned interfering indirectly. I think he has something to do with Kara being gone… It's a long shot, but after school I'm going to find Bartholomew and we'll have a 'friendly' conversation…" Cal explained.

"But how are you going to, assuming Kara is there, get her back without her knowing you're…" Mason leaned in and whispered. "…superpowered?" Cal thought for a second.

"I go in my armor. I tell Kara that Superman said she was missing and that I looked into her life. I found that she was in a relationship with a 'Callum Orson' who was related to a 'Bartholomew Wethersong' and Bartholomew was in my personal information catalogue and that I decided to follow a lead…" Cal suggested. Mason thought it over and nodded.

"Sounds good, but what about Bartholomew and Callum being related? How would that be believable?" Mason asked.

"Well, think of this from the beginning, how would Bartholomew get Kara to go with him? Kidnapping wouldn't be his style unless it was a last resort in which case she has no reason NOT to believe they're related, but knowing Bartholomew, he would talk to Kara first, and we both know his favorite ID is as my relative…" Cal said. "As I said, it's a long shot…"

"Man it's awesome when you plan like a protagonist in a movie," Mason said. Cal cracked a smile. "But why after school? It's lunch now…"

"I'd rather wait for later so she can have a day off of school. Besides, faking detective work takes time," Cal answered. Mason nodded.

"Ok, but next time that guy goes at you, I'm stepping in and kicking his ass... You know, because you might lose yourself," Mason said.

"Sure, cause that's the only reason," Cal said. Mason laughed.