Time to see Claire again. Yay! Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 5 - Welcome Home, little brother

Claire was so excited she barely enjoyed the party for Mrs. Anderson. Of course, she said her congratulations, took pictures with her friends and favorite teacher, and so on. But her mind – her superbrain, as GrandMa used to say – was focused on other things, too.

Like her new brother. She couldn't wait to meet him!

True, she was shocked to find out that her father had been cloned, apparently by his enemies, and that demanded further investigation, but the boy chose to be a hero. He helped the others and fled Cadmus, and that meant... That she was a big sister now.

It was like a Christmas morning.

Her best friend, Kyle, noticed her distraction, of course.

"What are you so excited about?"

She was eager to tell, but didn't know for sure what kind of story her dad was going to concoct to explain Superboy – who also needed a human name, now that she tought about it – and Kyle didn't know about her. That she was a half-kryptonian, that is.

"Oh, I'm just with some extra energy today."

That usually did the trick, and it wasn't different this time. Kyle let the subject go, and they continued their boring chat about some school work. She was really thinking about how to welcome her new brother home, not algebra.

She had to go somewhere private so she could scream properly when her father called her at lunch time to say he was bringing Superboy home later. Since then, she couldn't, for the life of her, think about something else. She didn't want to, either.

At last, three o'clock came, and she said goodbye to her friends and went straight to her favorite bakery, trying to decide what would be the perfect 'welcome home' cake. She settled for a large one made of vanilla and chocolate, decorated with more chocolate. She loved, and was pretty sure her new brother would, too.

She went home with a bounce on her step, humming happily as she went. As soon as her feet crossed the front door of their three-bedroom apartment, she set the cake in the table and went for a change of clothes. Soon she was on some comfortable shorts and t-shirt, and grabbed a lot of paper, putting them together so she could make a big sign. With the paper all glued together, she picked some markers and started to draw and write on the sign, layed out in the floor of the living room.

It took her some time to figure it out what to say exactly, so it wouldn't be awkward, but finally she had a decent welcoming sign, and then she started to strap it on the hallway, right in view from who entered the door.

With that done, she went to check the fridge for some soda and other things they could need for the welcoming party. She could always go to the grocery shop nearby and buy something missing, but she wanted to be home when her father and Superboy arrived, so she didn't want to do things last minute and ending up not being there when they arrived.

When everything was done, she looked at the clock and let out a bored whine, seeing that it was still one hour until her father was out of work. And she was so excited! The wait would take forever...

Like a lightbulb, an idea popped into her mind, and she took the supplies she needed and went straight to the guest room, starting to cleaning it up and making it her new brother's, a big smile on her lips all the time.

~.~

Recognized: Superman; 01. Superboy; B-04.

Realizing he had a register in the zeta tubes made Superboy feel... good. He didn't know exactly why.

They got out in some alley in what looked like Metropolis, and after a quick glance to the sidewalks, Superman turned to look at him.

"So, we can't just go to my place with me dressed like this." he said.

Superboy nodded, understanding it would be too much of a giveaway people seeing Superman getting into his apartment. Superman took this as his cue, and sped to some place in the back of the alley, reemerging two seconds later, dressed in normal clothes... and wearing glasses. Confusion took Superboy's features as he spoke.

"Why do you need glasses?"

He could understand – sort of – the plain suit and tie, but the glasses were a mistery to him.

Superman only smiled, like he had heard that before.

"It's part of my disguise."

He still didn't understand. But before he could ask, Superman talked again.

"Come. Follow me. My daughter is probably dying of excitement by now."

He followed the disguised hero for a couple of blocks, before Superman took a set of keys out of his pocket and opened the front door, waving and smiling to the guard behind the entrance.

"Hey Mr. Willis!"

"Hello Mr. Kent! Here's your mail."

The middle aged man gave Superboy's DNA donor some papers, that Superboy recognized from his implanted knowlegde as bills and letters. Superman thanked the man, and before the doorman could ask about him, Superman ushered Superboy to walk. He did so, happily. He had no idea of what to do with new people – especially civilians.

They got into an elevator in the main building, and after entering, Superman pressed the last number – 18.

"I live in one of the highest apartments. It's easier to sneak out undetected if I need to fly away to save someone." he said.

Superboy nodded, understanding the logic. The silence stretched while the numbers increased slowly, at least until Superman broke it.

"I should warn you... My daughter can be very..." he seemed at a loss of words, and Superboy didn't know what to do – for the millionth time that day.

Superman sighed and smiled for him.

"She's a very nice girl. Very smart, very passionate. She will love you, and I just want you to know that."

Superboy blinked and nodded.

The doors of the elevator opened, and they stepped outside. Superboy noticed three doors at the hallway, all with numbers, probably three apartments.

"You're awfully quiet." Superman said after they walked til the last apartment in the hallway: 1803. He set the key in the locker, but looked at him before opening it.

"I just... don't know what to say." he admitted, even if he didn't wanted to show weakness in front of Superman, because... What if he changed his mind about him?

Superman smiled again. His eyes were warm, and Superboy noticed that there wasn't any of his uncertainty from before. If anything, Superman looked... excited?

"Then lets meet your new sister." he said, opening the door before he could reply.

He got inside and Superboy followed, Superman closing the door behind him while he took in the sight that greeted him.

It was the first thing he noticed: the big paper sign hanging between the walls, colored and bright. The words: "Welcome home, little brother!" were written in big and curly feminine handwriting, the rest of the sign decorated with hearts from different sizes and colors; a lot of smiley faces, and the S symbol of Superman covered every other part of the sign.

It made something in his heart, seeing this. Something warm and unfamiliar, something that made him take a deep breath, because suddenly there wasn't enough air. He didn't know what was happening, but... he liked the feeling.

"Claire?" Superman's voice echoed in the space, the hero going further in the apartment, followed closely by the boy. "We're home, sweetie!"

Suddenly there was a door being opened, and before he could register it, there was a girl standing right in front of him.

"Oh my God, you're here!" she squeaked, making Superboy take a step back in surprise.

Superman's laugh filled the space.

"Honey, let him breathe."

"But I..."

He drowned the words she said, mostly because he was occupied taking the sight.

Superman's daughter was there. In the flesh. Claire – as her father had called her – was like a female version of her father. She had a jet black hair that went until her shoulders, the striking blue eyes and well designed nose, not too big or too small. Her lips were stretched in a big, excited smile, looking at Superboy with such happiness that he didn't know what to say.

"Hm... Hi." he said after it became clear that they were waiting for him to say something.

Her smile became impossibly wider.

"Oh my God, you're adorable! I love you already." she squeaked and then went to hug him, fiercely, strongely.

She hugged him so tight that he was sure now – she had powers too. Impossible not too. He tentatively put his arms around her, awkwardly, and she tightened her grip.

"Welcome home." she whispered, and the warm feeling on his chest intensified.

"Thank you." he heard himself whispering.

She pulled back and was still smiling.

"Come, let me show you your room. I was setting some stuff for you there, I hope you like it."

And that was it. No funny looks, no questions. She just... Was honestly happy and excited that he was there.

So he couldn't bring himself to do anything else than follow her, wholeheartedly and happily.

Yay! Conner - ahem, I meant Superboy, haha - is home now, and next chapter will be all about him and his new sister.

Tell me what you think so far, I love seeing your reactions to this story. :)

Answering a Guest review: Claire has powers, although not all of her father's - she's still a teenager. The reason of why she is not a hero and known by people will eventually be revealed. ;)

As usual, tell me if you find any errors! :*