"I don't believe I've told you my profession," Matthew said. "I'm a scientist and an inventor. I guess it runs in the blood, since my biological grandfather was one. In fact, I've used some of the Kryptonian technology in the fortress as a basis for my work, so I guess I'm cheating really."

"So what's that thing in your hand?" Lois wanted to know.

"It wipes people's memory on a very small scale. I invented it. That's my specialty, memory. I'm afraid I have to use it on young mom and dad."

Clark and Lois got surprised and fearful looks on their faces.

Carol said, "You can't mess with their memories."

"Don't worry. It's completely harmless. It won't hurt and they'll be in a blank sort of state for 15 minutes and then they'll be fine and have no memory of the past 2 days."

"Why do you have to erase our memories?" Clark asked.

"It's quite simple really. The tiniest thing can throw time completely out of balance. It's lucky that time travel is only a Kryptonian advancement so far. Time is messy but for all its messiness, it's an organized mess. Some things happen merely by choice. Other things were meant to be and are unalterable. This was meant to take place just like when Lilly and Jason came here the first time but you two aren't supposed to remember this event. This story was told to me as a child by your older selves. I feel like I'm living a very historical event. That's why I was taking notes earlier. The scientist in me I suppose. My invention was meant to be here and used to keep the balance. If you know everything that happens in the future, where's the fun in getting there?"

Clark nodded and indicated that he was ready. Matthew put the machine in front of his face and flashed it. Clark got a blank look on his face. He turned to Lois.

"Just because he was willing, doesn't mean I am."

He smiled. "You always were stubborn, Mom."

"I don't like that I'll forget all this. That I'll forget my kids."

"I understand but you'll learn it all in time in a more natural way. You don't want to spoil learning Dad is Superman or finding out what your kids turn out to be like. I know because you told me yourself."

"Are your parents dead in your time?"

"Yes, but they led full and happy lives. They only died a couple of years ago."

"You don't sound too upset when you say that."

"I'm not. I miss them of course but I also believe they're in a better place. They wouldn't want me to grieve, they wouldn't have wanted to live forever in this world, and I know I'll see them again."

Lois didn't look too sure.

"Here, I'll read you the last poem my mom ever wrote. She wrote it on her death bed. I carry it around in my wallet. You're actually a published poet in the future but you're still best known for being a journalist." He took the crinkly, folded piece of paper out and read, "'When I get so old that I cannot see, I will still see the glory of God. When I get so old that I cannot hear, I will still hear him calling to me. When I get so old that I cannot walk, I will still walk with the Lord. When I get so old that my memory fails, I will still remember my King. When I get so old that my soul departs, Jesus will take me home.'"

"That's so beautiful. It's hard to believe that I wrote it," Lois said.

"It always reminds me that the future and getting older is never to be feared. God will take care of you, no matter what your future is."

"I guess I've always struggled with trusting others and I worry that I might be alone in the future. I wanted to remember that I have nothing to fear but you're right. I don't really want to know everything. Where's the fun in that? Take my memory."

He did and then said, "Okay Carol, Lilly, Jason. Let's clear out."

"Wait, aren't you going to take my memory?" Martha asked.

"No, I'm not, Mamaw," Matthew said. "It's a gift I'm giving you. I know you've learned you have Alzheimer's in the future. By meeting all of us now, you'll be able to hold onto the memory of your grandchildren longer. Lilly is really the only one of us that remembers what it was like before you came down with it. You passed away when I was 10. I always regretted that even though I saw you in body, I never really got to know you. I couldn't help but think it was one of the most tragic diseases in the world to lose a person before they're really gone. I came up with a way to cure it and it's why I became so fascinated with memory. Alzheimer's has been stamped out in my time. It would be nice to give you the cure for it and save a lot of heartache but see if I give it to you, there's no motivation for young me to come up with a cure and millions of others suffer. You're the reason Alzheimer's doesn't exist anymore."

"And I wouldn't have it any other way and thank you for not erasing my memory of my 4 beautiful grandchildren. I promise that even when my brain forgets you, my heart won't. I love you all."

She hugged each of them and they said their goodbyes. Then she went over to wait for Clark and Lois to wake up and explain to them that they had forgotten the past couple of days because they hit their heads. They'd both have no problem accepting it. Losing memories was a regular part of Smallville life.

Out on the sidewalk, they bumped into their older parents. They were laughing and on their way to the farm.

"Where are you guys going?" Clark asked.

"And who's that man?" Lois asked.

"It's a long story," Lilly said. "But in a nutshell, Zod had been stopped, we're going home, and this is a family member from the future."

They shrugged and started following them to the fortress.

Carol whispered, "Hey, little brother. That's a weird thing to call you when you're in your 40s. Do me a favor. Everyone keeps bugging me because I haven't picked a career yet. What do I pick?"

"Well, you're the leader of the Justice League."

"I assumed that. I mean money wise."

"I don't think I should tell you that."

She squeezed his arm.

"Ow! Gosh, Carol. That hurt."

She started to squeeze again.

"Okay, stop! You're a cop. Happy?"

"A cop?" Carol repeated, interested.

"Guess which role you take when you use the good cop, bad cop tactic?"

Carol laughed and then spaced out. Probably thinking about the future. He heard his parents whispering.

"You know what I wonder?" his mom asked. "Why didn't our young selves ever remember this?"

"I don't know," he answered. "It's strange."

"You know what's even stranger? I've always wondered why you started wearing glasses before a disguise ever crossed your mind."

"To tell you the truth, I don't know why. I was at a checkout register, thinking about you and I saw those reading glasses they always have and I got a feeling that I should try one on. I did and I liked how it looked. Then I rushed off to show them to you."

"I know. I remember it clearly. The glasses drove me mad."

"I know," he grinned. "They still do, in fact."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

Matthew smiled. He missed listening to his parents fight. His family was out of the ordinary at times but he wouldn't have traded a moment of it and he knew there were many more moments left to create.

The End