Superman

Superman hesitates as he enters the mountain, unsure of how to proceed. There are some things even superheroes have trouble dealing with – and for Superman, one such problem is his clone. He'd had bad experiences with cloning in the past. He had to admit though, he hadn't been the best . . . example. That was why he was here though. The incident with The Light had brought him to his senses in a way that neither Batman nor the rest of the League had been able to. Conner may not be his son, but that didn't mean they weren't related. It was time he made it up to him.

Noticing that the living room is empty he cocks his head, listening for the teenagers' rambunctious voices. He can always count on Wally or Robin to alert him of their position. Nothing. He starts, surprised and worried. He had specifically asked Batman to make sure they weren't on a mission – so where were they? He listens harder, detecting faint sounds from the training room, and quickly heads that way.

As he nears the room he hears Robin's signature cackle and relaxes. They were probably just playing. He enters the room, content to just watch, sure that only Robin would notice his appearance. Instead, the entire team pauses from their game, Robin drops down from where ever he had been hiding, and they all step forward to greet him. He quickly masks his surprise; apparently he hadn't been as quiet as he had thought, and smiles, returning the teams' greetings. As he searches their faces he notices Superboy is hanging back, hesitant, and his lingering surprise quickly morphs to guilt. That is why I'm here, he reminds himself.

"I'm here to speak with Conner," he tells them, though he doesn't take his eyes off the teenager in question, noting the apprehension that races through Superboy's eyes. Superman frowns to himself (he shouldn't be afraid to speak to me) and turns his gaze away, noting the rest of the teams' expressions. They range from happiness to anger but they all seem uncertain. As the silence stretches on Superman realizes there is something going on he cannot see or hear. The team is looking at Conner with trust and worry in their eyes – trusting him to make the right choice while worrying he'll get hurt in the process – but Conner is looking at Robin. His expression is one of someone who is listening intently, and Robin's expressions are changing, though his eyes seem determined. Catching on, Superman glances at M'gann, remembering that she is just as powerful as her uncle.

He waits more patiently now and there is wonder in his eyes. He grew up mainly alone – isolated by his powers – and while he has had, and does have, good friends, he's never seen a group of people as large as this with a friendship as close as theirs. Robin finishes with a smile and Superboy gives a soft smile in return. Superman watches as he nods to whatever Robin as told him. Aqualad steps forward, placing a hand on Conner's shoulder. After a pause, the rest of the team nods at whatever the Atlantean has said before filing out of the room. As Conner silently steps forward to greet him, and doesn't look back at his departing teammates, Superman realizes they aren't really leaving. At first he is upset that their private conversation will not be private, but then he realizes he doesn't truly mind. He's willing to bet there are no secrets within this team.

"I'm sorry," he starts. "I was unprepared for your arrival and I reacted badly to it. It was wrong of me and I hope you'll forgive me." He pauses, but Superboy doesn't respond. "I'm not ready to be a father, and I don't know if I ever will be, but I'm willing to be your mentor, your partner," he corrects himself, "if you'll let me."

Superboy stares at him as though he isn't sure it's real and Superman finally realizes how much Conner had wanted this. "I don't want a partner," Conner finally says, "that's what this team is for, but…" he hesitates and Superman realizes it isn't only Conner who wants this. "But I'd love to have a mentor."

Superboy seems surprised at what he has said, but when Superman smiles at him Conner offers a hesitant smile back.

Superman knows Conner hasn't forgiven him, and that forgiving takes time, but it's better than what they had before and he'll take it without question.

He looks around the training room, remembering it from when the League used the Mountain, and recalls it's been designed to handle almost anything. "Why don't we start now?" He asks. "And you can show me what you can do, brother." It was meant to be a playful jab, but the word slipped out at the end and surprises them both. Conner's eyes are widened in shock but Superman can see the joy behind them. Somehow, the word fits.

As the shock fades, Conner accepts the word, and the challenge, with a nod – though he seems hesitant to make the first move. Superman knows Conner is still wary, so he leaps first – forcing Conner to jump out of the way. The sparring begins, but it's light hearted and easy, neither of them going all out, neither of them ready to test the boundaries of their fragile relationship.

Later, as he leaves the cave, he can't help but think of the team. He is grateful to them, because someone had to be there for Conner and it hadn't been him, but he is also amazed at how close they are and glad that – like him – Conner's found a loving family.