Dick smiled as he glanced up at Clark, whom was waiting at the airport.

"Hey Clark, good to see you again!"

Conner couldn't help but elbow Dick softly in the ribs. Dick giggled.

"Watch out Dick, your Hero Warship is showing…"

Clark couldn't help but laugh, watching as the two older boy's snarked at each other. Clark glanced behind the two boys to see Jason. He felt really uneasy by the look the younger boy was giving him. Clark moved his gaze over to Conner.

"Why don't you boy's relax for a while? Conner and I have to wait an hour anyways for the refueling process."

Conner and Dick nodded. Dick glanced back over at Jason.

"You coming Jay?"

Jason smiled, nodding a bit.

"I will! Just want to talk to Mr. Kent. About the city and all."

Dick didn't see anything strange about it, neither did Conner it seemed. If they did, they assumed it was the younger's interest that CLARK was SUPERMAN.

Clark waved goodbye to the teens as they made their way over to the food bar. Jason frowned, taking his place next to Clark.

"I take it you want to talk about something."

"Yeah. I wonder what gave that away."

Clark sighed heavily. Jason turned and looked over at the hot dog stand. He pointed over towards it.

"We can talk over food and I'm hungry."

"You are nothing like Dick, you know that."

Jason's lip pouted out.

"You are not the first person to point that out. But I'm not Dick. I call people out on their shit without pussy toing around it."

Clark's jaw went slack once the profanity escaped Jason's lips. It also disturbed Clark that Jason did call him out on that, were as only a few people would even dare too. Bruce, Barry and Diana, looks like he had to add Jason on that list.

Clark walked in silence with the boy, making his way up to the counter to order food for both of them.

"1 hamburger and…"

"2 chili cheese dogs please!"

Clark smiled at the lady taking orders. At least the kid was polite. The two were given a number and went to find a free seat.

Upon finding one, Clark set out on an apology for the boy.

"I'm sorry if I may have offending you, comparing you to Dick."

Jason kicked his feet back and forth, his feet almost touching the floor.

"You expect an apology from me? Not going to happen till you start treating Conner right."

Clark leaned back. Those blue aqua colored eyes sure clashed with the anger that arose in them.

"You sure are protective of Conner…"

"Technically, I'm older, there for I protect children who are younger than me. So YES, I am very protective."

Clark rested a hand on top of Jason's head. Jason blinked, taken back by the gesture, he was trying to be upset after all.

"Well thank you for looking after Conner for me…I hope to do the best I can. I am trying…"

The smile Clark gave Jason was so sincere and caring, Jason couldn't feel hatred for the Super Being.

The waitress came and placed their food before them. Jason quickly swatted Clark's hand away and started to eat his chili dog, fighting away the blush that was starting to appear.

The overhead intercom called out.

"Flight for Tikehau, Please prepare for boarding in 25 minutes."

Clark happily ate his hamburger, silently counting down the time….as was Conner on the far end of the Food Bar.

Conner rested his head down on the table, while Dick playfully poked the boy with his coke straw.

"Come on man, it's really starting to look like you're going to your own execution or something."

"Uh, if only it were that. If only I could fly I wouldn't have to spend five hours in a metal tube. If only I could…"

Dick was getting sick of Conner's "if only" and threw an ice cube at him.

"What the hell man?"

"Feel the Aster. Be one with the Aster. Let the Aster guide you my friend!"

"Say Aster one more time and…"

Clark called out, stopping Conner from finishing his threat.

"Conner! Time to go!"

Dick smiled, knowing he got out of that one. Jason ran up, pushing Dick towards the exit. Dick laughed.

"OK little man. We're going, we're going. See you two around, say hi to Ma and Pa Kent for me."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, they get it, now let's go."

Dick waved good bye as long as he could with Jason charging him out the door. Clark and Conner waved back, the same smile plastered on their faces. The both gave a heavy sigh watching as the two boys left. Both relieved and troubled at the same time.

Conner couldn't help but cast a side glance at his elder.

"So are you ready for this?"

"Ready as I'll ever be. Let's go."

888**888

The flight, 2 hours in, was slowly driving Clark up the wall. He could fly there in no time, but he still had to try to make things right with Conner. Doing it and going about it were two different things for Clark. He was stumped for what to do next other than small talk. So Clark took a deep breath, ready to talk before Conner spoke first.

"So, what are Ma and Pa like? From what I heard from Dick, they sound like really nice people."

Clark smiled. There was something he could talk about.

"They are. But they are more just than nice people. There my hero's."

Conner looked on with his bright blue eyes, a spark danced in them.

"Your hero's?"

Clark nodded, leaning into the seat a soft smile on his face.

"Not like the hero's that we are, or like Aquaman or Batman. They are my hero's for being there for me. There for me to raise me, protect me, be there for me for my first steps, first speech, first of everything…"

Conner glanced downing. He was thinking of all those first he'd never have. With the way he was made, created in a tube by some cold uncaring lab.

A strong hand was placed on Conner's shoulder. The youth looked up at the man sitting acrossed from him.

"Conner. I know I haven't been the best person to deal with this. I know it took me a long time to get used to the idea and I am sorry for the way I acted around you."

Conner's momentary shock subsided to a smile.

"Well, I don't blame you. After all, it's not everyday someone finds out they have a clone of them running a round out there. I'd be a little upset too."

Clark laughed.

"I was more than just a little upset."

Conner rolled his eyes.

"You don't say…"

Clark still didn't take his hand away from Conner's shoulder, the strong touch was now gentle.

"But Conner, I want to make up for all the wrong that I have done with you. I want to see what "first" you will experience with your own eyes and actions. And I know with ever more "first"s, I'll be proud watching you grow and getting to know you better."

Conner's smile, fell to an uneasy one. He was at a loss of words. The pressure he felt started to build up inside of him, he didn't know what to do. Clark watched as Conner tried to register his own emotions. The older man smiled, doing something his mother and father had done for him when he felt lost. Clark leaned in, placing his lips on top of Conner's fore head. The small kiss was short and caring, he pulled away to see a teary eyed boy. Clark had a knowing smile on his face, which was quickly turned to that of shock as the younger boy embraced him into a strong hug. Clark returned the hug, sighing in relief.

"You see here Conner, this is what my parents taught me. To be understanding, caring and most of all being there for family."

Clark didn't dare move from the awkward position. He felt like Conner needed this. In the end, Clark too felt he needed it as well.

88…88

"Can it be night fall already? It's too bright and…clean here…"

Dick rolled his eyes at Jason's displeasure of Metropolis, but other than that, didn't speack back to him. After all he was on a mission. The older boy, open the fridge door to see the thing already packed full of food. A huge smile fell on his face as he opted to one of the three milk containers in it. He turned around and placed the jug on the counter before starting his search on the sacred cereal he knew was around there somewhere.

Jason turned around from the over plushed couch he was sitting on to watch Dick. Normally Jason wouldn't have paid attention to Dick's shenanigans, but the man was humming the Mission Impossible theme song.

"What are you doing?"

Jason was still trying to get used this….this show Dick was currently doing. He wondered how the hell Bruce put up with this. Dick started to speak.

"As the lion stalks the zebra."

"Wait…What?"

Dick smiled as he opened one covered, only to be disappointed at his find. His cherry smile fell to a defeated puppy dog look. Little tear drops started for form.

"There are no lucky charms…"

Jason quickly face-palmed, the smack was loud and it caught Dick's attention.

"Why'd you hit yourself?"

"It's my reaction to stupid people."

Dick narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms in the process.

"Hey, I have you know. Cereal is one of the best things to happen to food. It's fun to eat and there is a whole verity to choose from. I'm just sad that there are no lucky charms…."

Jason sighed. Really wondering how Bruce and Alfred put up with Dick being this way. Jason had to think back, was Dick always this goofy around the rest of the team. He glanced back over at his "brother". The man was drinking out of the milk carton like the barbarian that he was. Jason narrowed his eyes, he saw another team mate do that as well. Wally. Yep, this is just normal Dick. The only difference was there was no Batman to settle him down.

"I think you have ADD."

Dick turned his head, still drinking out of the milk carton, before placing it back down on the counter.

"No, I think I like to have fun and relax every once in a while. Besides, I'm a guy on a mission!"

"And that mission is to go get Cereal…"

"Yes!"

"Like a normal person? Where you walk down to a convent store and buy a box of cereal."

"YES!"

Jason turned away, grabbing the remote and turning the TV on again.

"Well good for you. Let's see if pampered boy will be able to do it."

Dick frowned, his once playful mood was being soured by the brooding brat.

"What the hell bit you in the ass?"

Dick watched the boy on the couch, as his mind started to click. The once sour face he had, picked up its joy again before he made his way over to the boy. Dick sat down with a big plop, making Jason wondering what else the man was going to do.

"I get where you are coming from I do. Bruce isn't ditching you. As a matter of fact, he's training you. He wants to see how well you and I work as a team, before he sends you out on your own."

Jason sighed, he was also a little embarrassed Dick was able to read him so well.

"I know that. It's just that. I don't know. I've never been this far from…"

Dick leaned forward to try to look Jason in the eyes, but the boy refused it.

"Far from what?"

"Far from home."

Dick smiled, dragging the reluctant kid for a hug. It wasn't much of a struggle, as Jason relaxed into the hug later on. Dick smiled at his latest victory. Jason closed his eyes, feeling the effects of jet lag take his system over. Dick sighed, forgetting the milk on the counter for the time being. Dick placed his feet up on the coffee table before him, letting the noise of the TV lull him to sleep.

***888

"Well Conner, we are here."

Conner waited inside the airplane, little nervous to step out of the metal death trap. Clark glanced around the area. It was almost empty, after all it was only five hours a head in time from that of New York City. Clark sighed, letting the boy know.

"It's alright to come out. Ma and Pa are at the Villa waiting for us."

Conner started scratching the back of his head. Still perplexed about the situation.

"I know that…it's just that….when I step off this thing, it become more real."

Clark smiled.

"Think of this as your first steps."

Conner raised his eyebrow, blushing a bit.

"Oh haha."

Conner stepped off the airplane and ascended down to the stairs to the ground below. The forced grown teen took a heavy sigh as he made his way with Clark to the inside of the terminal. The late night or the early morning, depending on who you were, was about to break.

Clark gave a laugh.

"I'm sure Dick and Jason are getting ready for patrol in Metropolises by now."

"Think they will be able to handle it?"

"Oh, I'm not worried about them. I'm more worried about the bad guys really."

Conner blinked not too sure what Clark was getting at.

"What do you mean you are worried about the bad guys?"

Clark couldn't help but giggling.

"Well you see. Batman and I wanted to switch, just to see the different aspects of our cities. He took my home and I took his. In truth, I never want to ever go back to Gotham. Too crazy for me. So when I got back and the bad guys saw that is it was me, they rejoiced and asked me to never leave again. Whatever Batman did, scared the people so bad, they didn't know what to do when I showed back up."

"Wow really? If they thought Batman was crazy, what do you think they will do when Nightwing and Robin take over?"

Clark and Conner laughed at that.

"Whatever happens, I'll be sure to hear about it from everyone later."

888**88

Jason placed his yellow cape around his shoulders, looking himself in the mirror before calling for Dick in the other room.

"Are you ready? I'm tired of being in this place…"

Jason turned, seeing a black mass behind him. His jaw dropped at what he saw before him.

"What….what the hell are you wearing?"

Dick walked out, in full Batman cowl. He waltzed around the room, playing with the long heavy cape. Jason was at a loss of words. Dick started to hum. Jason found it very disturbing to "see" Batman "humming" while checking himself out in a mirror.

"I borrowed one of Bruce's suits."

"You mean you stole it."

The teen dropped the heavy cape around him, feeling the weight on his shoulder.

"It's not like he's going to notice. He has like 20 of these back in the cave. Besides, I wanted to try it out."

Jason watched as Dick paced around the room, trying to move, flip and punch in the thing.

"Are you done? Now go change. You are freaking me out."

Dick smiled, giggling.

"You haven't seen freaking out till you seen Metropolis criminals run for their life. Muwahahahaha."

Dick pulled out the grapping hook, firing out the window and watched as it latched to the adjacent building. In a trumpet call, he clanked over a Robin before jumping.

"Come Robin! The night is young and the fun's just begun."

Dick jumped out, with Jason watching the train wreck happen. The boy sighed, grabbing his own hook and following after the Batman "Dick". Jason couldn't help but crack a smile when he saw Dick hit the side of the building. Dick climbed the wall face, while Jason landed with ease. The youth smiled.

"What happened there? Oh graceful leader?"

Dick huffed, throwing the cape around. He was fuming and the immobility he was experiencing.

"How the hell does he do it? This damn thing weighs a ton."

A horrified scream escaped the lips of a man, as did the clang of a crowbar. This both caught "Batman" and Robin off guard. Neither of them knew there was someone up there.

The man slowly backed up, pleading for, what seemed to be his well-being.

"Please, Oh God, no. I'll turn myself in Batman. I will walk down to the police station myself."

Dick and Jason glanced at each other, before turning their attention back to a would be criminal. Dick crossed his arms, deepened his voice and held back his smile.

"Be sure to do that, or else I'll find you again and make you pay."

"Yes Batman sir."

The masked Criminal ran, sliding down the pole he had used to gain access to the roof. Once he was gone, Dick let out a laugh that echoed off the buildings. Jason rested his hands on his hips.

"What the hell was that about?"

Robin watched as "Batman" hunched over in a laughing fit. The teen had to control himself before he started to talk.

"About, oh I don't know, 3-4 years ago, Superman and Batman switched cities. Batman and I came and really gave crime a nightmare. The night Superman returned, some villains were singing praise. I guess we left a wonderful impression."

Robin sighed, not really interested in old stories past. He started to kick around a can up at top.

"Can we please get going now? I'm bored and I want to go kick some ass."

Dick stood up straight, pulled out his grappling hook again and fired before calling out.

"Come Robin! Let's go fight crime!"

Batman shot the wire to the next building. Robin sighed before pulling out his grappling too. He stopped in mid-shoot, glancing behind him. There was something watching them. It made the hair on the back of his neck rise. Robin pulled the trigger, wanting to get away from that feeling.

In the distance, a raspy voice called out. Giggling in the process.

"They've returned. I can now have my revenge."

The giggly subsided, braking off into ticking noises. In the blackness, red glowing eyes focused in on the duo in Metropolis City.

88***88

"Bruce really pulled out all the stops, didn't he?"

Conner commented on the nice limo that he was in. Typical black on the outside with silver window linings. The inside, a clash between cool gray and flaming red. The seating was spacious and comfortable. Clark couldn't help but smile at Conner's glee in the whole thing.

"Oh, you haven't seen all the toy's he has yet."

Conner smiled slyly, having a smart ass tone.

"You mean he has more than just the "Space Station" floating in space?"

When Conner was met with Clark's silence, the boy became really interested.

"You mean he has something "more"."

"You have no idea what he has and at times, I don't either. At times, I really don't even want to know."

Conner leaned back in the seat.

"Why don't you want to know?"

Clark adjusted his glasses, trying to find the right words for it.

"When it comes to Bruce….Frankly, that MAN scares the hell out of me."

88**88

*Ah-choo*

Bruce sighed heavily as he leaned over the edge of a building in his cowl. A little ping noise rang in his ear.

"Master Bruce, I do say, this is the 15th time you have sneezed today. Please come home and call it a night."

"…."

Batman didn't answer like he didn't even hear the demanding tone in Alfred's voice. Batman glanced around Gotham, feeling somewhat lonesome fighting crime alone. The ping once again set off into Batman's ear.

"Also Sir, I must inform you that one of your Bat Suits is missing."

"What?"

"Thought that get a response from you."

Batman brooded a bit before responding.

"Fine, I'm coming home Penny-One. Slow night anyways."

8888***888

An old man rocked back and forth in an elegant wicker chair. He was gingerly sipping away at an aqua colored drink, a slight alcoholic blush was coming on. A woman with graying hair walked out to the balcony, taking the drink way from her husband.

"Now Pa, I don't want you to be hammered when Conner shows up. I want the boy to have a good impression on us."

Pa Kent smiled a bit, grabbing his wife's free hand and kissing it.

"I know what I am doing Ma. Besides, it's only one drink."

The woman smirked. Taking a quick sip from her husband's drink. She giggled in the process.

"One to many I say, but I guess it's alright to splurge a little bit."

Pa leaned back into the chair and placed his legs up on the foot rest. He took his hands and placed his behind his head.

"Oh I don't mind splurging on Bruce's dime either."

Ma Kent couldn't help but laugh at her husband's words.

"Now Pa, what would Bruce say about that?"

Pa sighed. Closing one eye and glancing over at his wife, who now had taken over his drink.

"If I recall, didn't you say Bruce was a nut job as the cape crusader in Gotham."

Ma quickly took a slip, trying to avoid that conversation. Her eyes quickly lit up as she saw a limo pull up.

"Pa, the boys are here! Oh, is my hair alright?"

Pa got up, his bright colored shirt screamed "Look at me, I'm a tourist." A turned his wife towards him and kissed her forehead.

"My dear, you still look as beautiful as the day I married you. You look fine. Now let's go meet the young one."

Ma smiled as Pa took her hand and the two made their way down to the arriving limo.

8888***

Conner was nervous, much to Clark's amusement. He watched as the boy's foot moved up and down, making his knee bounce. He watched as Conner bit his thumb, glancing out at the window. The man smiled, feeling pride start grow within his body.

"Conner, breath."

The moment Clark said that, Conner let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"I think I might blow up…"

"Trust me, you won't."

The limo slowed to a stop and Clark glanced out the window, seeing Ma and Pa waiting for them. Clark opened the car door and got out, making a B-line to hug his mother and father. Conner watched, watching how the three interacted. Ma pulled away from Clark, trying to glance into the limo. Pa glanced over at Clark before the old man step forward, reached his hand in and grabbed the youth in the limo by his wrist. Conner was almost shocked about how easily the old man had pulled him out, into the bright early morning sun shine.

Conner watched as Ma and Pa's eyes lit up, seeing what the boy looked like. In a quick moment, Ma leaned forward, giving the young man a strong hug. Pa came in as well, wrapping on arm around his wife and the other around Conner. Conner was stiff for all but five seconds, before he relaxed into the hug and returned it back to the both of them. Conner closed his eyes, sighing happily.

"It's nice to meet you Conner."

Ma spoke out with tears in her eyes. Conner was at a loss of words, because he couldn't explain the feeling that pounded inside of his chest. Pa couldn't help but smile.

"Welcome home son."

*Click*

Clark took the opportunity, taking a picture with his cellphone. He wanted to preserve this memory. The trio turned and looked over at Clark, who was feeling left out of the hug. Both Ma and Pa grabbed Clark with their free hands and dragged him into the mess called a "hug". Laughter escaped from the happy family. Everything felt so right, nothing could go possibly wrong right?

**888**

This has now grown to be a 4 part story. Look forward for the angst in chapter three.