Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any characters from the DC Universe and make no money from writing this pure piece of fiction that has been swirling around my brain for well over a year now.
I also do not own any of the planets presented within this chapter they belong to the franchise they were originally from. (I am a bit of a Trekkie so sorry for all the references to Star Trek planets and using probably very annoying Trekkie jargon)

Chapter I

The Long Awaited Return

The unique feel of the Earth's sun bearing down on his almost impenetrable flesh was something Clark never thought he would miss, however after four years away from the red sun of Earth he found the soft warm rays an awakening reminder that he was finally home; that after all his hard work over the time he was away, Jor-El had finally deemed him as ready to fulfil the destiny he had laid out for him so many times in the past only for him to turn his back on him and run away.

The lesson had been a hard one prior to leaving; both his own life and the lives of his friends constantly in danger because of his stupid ideals and beliefs. It had been a hard lesson but he knew now what he had to do.

Four years of training, planet to planet learning the cultures and history of each race, learning that not everyone can be saved but everyone deserves the chance.

Gallifrey, a planet in the constellation of Kasterborous and well over two hundred and fifty million light years from Earth and outside any galaxy that the humans were aware of, Clark himself could only assume what quadrant the planet was in. Whether it was closer or further from Earth than Krypton, Clark didn't know but Jor-El had told him that he was to be sent there for the pure reason that like Krypton the planets inhabitants were very advance; Time-Lords they called themselves. But despite all their knowledge and abilities they were on the brink of their own destruction. They taught Clark as much as they could in the short time but to Clark the most important thing he learnt was that not everybody could be saved and it wasn't his job to try.

His next stop was at a planet only a little over sixteen light years from the Earth and still within the first quadrant of the Milky Way, orbiting the 40 Eridani A, the primary star of the 40 Eridani system, a trinary star system located in the Sol Sector. Like Krypton and Gallifrey the inhabitants were another humanoid species who referred to themselves as Vulcan's. At first he had questioned Jor-El's motives for sending him there because though they were quite advanced they were an extremely unusual race. However after seven months on the planet he learnt more with the Vulcan's than any other person in existence.

The Vulcan's taught him control; control of thought, of emotions and of knowledge. They were a quiet race of many beliefs but their most followed belief was that emotion's needed to be controlled or they would rule them. They taught Clark to control anger, hate and even love so that it didn't overpower his judgement and cause him to make mistakes like he had in the past. Lana, Chloe, Lois, Oliver, his mom, his dad... The list was endless and he knew that their lives had been put in danger because of him. The Vulcan's showed him that though his humanity was his biggest strength it also made him irrational and very dangerous.

Narendra III was another planet he had spent time on which home a colony of a race called the Klingon's. They were far from friendly but Jor-El felt the need to send him to Qo'noS, the home world of the Klingon's where he spent almost every day fighting for his life as the humanoid warrior species pushed him to fight for almost every day of his month and a half visit. He found the limit of his body and beyond.

Other planets he visited included Weytahn, an unstable planet with a small colony of a race called Andorians. Tzenketh, Bajor and a few more he either couldn't remember or couldn't pronounce.

He had learnt so much in such a short time as he went between studying Krypton in the Fortress of Solitude and spending odd amounts of months on far away unknown planets that he would never be able to share with anyone else. But as much fun as his travels had been, he was glad to be home, searching the twenty eight galaxies if not further made him feel lonely and his mind constantly drifted to when he would see him mom and friends again; Chloe, Jimmy, Oliver, Victor, AC and even Lois, he missed them all so much. His biggest surprise was the fact that over time Lana, the woman he had been in love with for almost all his life, slowly began to leave his thoughts until after two years she was nothing more than a distant memory.

But now he was finally back standing at the console of the Fortress of Solitude breathing in the fresh icy air of the Arctic circle of the planet earth awaiting Jor-El's approval that he could return to his life.

"You have achieved everything I desired and more Kal-El and your travels have given you more knowledge than either this planet or I could ever give you... Now my final lesson to you" Jor-El's echoing voice was cut off slightly as there was movement in the fortress and a large crystal rose from the ground a few metres from where he was standing.

"Your Earth mother, Martha Kent and my vessel Lionel Luthor brought this here for you and requested that I present this to you when you are ready. I myself found it quite fitting for the role you will play on this planet" Jor-El finished as some of the crystal's lowered, presenting an outfit in his signature blue and red with the El family logo on the chest piece in red and yellow.

Walking closer to the outfit, Clark took in the outfit before him. It was a form fitting blue suit with a red cape and boots and what appeared to be a pair of red briefs over the top with a yellow belt. It occurred to him that if he had seen these clothes four years ago he would hands down refuse to wear such a garment but now, he understood the importance of identity and presenting an image of hope.

It didn't take long for Clark to change out of his highly edited Kryptonian clothes that he had become quite fond of: a white shirt which buttoned down the back bearing the logo of the House of El in black on the left side of his chest, a pair of black trousers had donned his legs to be completed with a knee length black coat and black shoes. At first he felt uncomfortable in the tight fitting new clothes; however he quickly found that it allowed easier movements than clothes he had become used to with the added bonus that with the tightness to his skin he knew that it would increase the strength of the materials.

"You have made me proud my son, you may now leave to go back to your life but I ask that you do not forget the teachings I have given you because they will aid in both your survival and the survival of the people most important to you, good luck my son" Jor-El spoke out as the fortress began to darken indicating that the artificial intelligence turned itself off, awaiting the time when he would be needed again.

Though he knew that the AI wasn't his father but more a computer program designed to teach him the way forward, Clark had become very fond of the tolerance it seemed to portray and how it spoke of his family on Krypton enough to make him re-evaluate his position on his birth parents; he now knew the truth and it was enough.

"No... Thank you... Father" he spoke softly in reply before flying off into the sky; his desired location: Metropolis.

The distant glow of the Daily Planet globe in the moonlight was a reassuring sight to Clark as he flew towards it. It was a sign that he was finally home and just that feeling made all that he had accomplished worth so much more than it had not ten minutes ago.

Nothing had really changed in the time he had been gone, Metropolis was still as active now as it was when he left. Landing on the top of the Daily Planet building he looked out around the city watching the plumes of smoke from buildings, the sight of the street lights or lights in apartments and houses glinting in the distance, the glow of Oliver's clock tower in the distance. The last sight made him stop and a small smile to tug at the corners of his mouth.

Suddenly a shrill scream broke through Clark's thoughts and alerting him to someone in danger. Using his enhanced hearing he was quickly able to locate the area and find a young woman, probably no older than eighteen being pressed up against the brick wall of an alley, her skirt hoisted up as a roughish, burley man pushed himself against her making her cry out further in pain and who knows what else. A feeling of contentment overcame him as he realised that he no longer had to hide, that he could help people without worrying about people finding out about his linage and identity.

"Oh you feel good pretty lady... Mmm I bet you have such a tight body" the man's voice was as rough as his face Clark noted as he dropped down from the sky and landed a few feet behind the scene. He grimaced slightly as he watched the man lick up the side of the woman's face before thrusting his lower regions against her again.

Any attempt or ideas of escape the girl may have had would be completely futile given how her face was pressed painfully against the wall, the course material scarping at her skin as his arms on her body kept her in place.

Using all of his training from Vulcan and his Kryptonian heritage he quickly drank down all of his emotions despite the disgust that wanted to bubble over; he knew emotions would only get in the way in situations. Walking closer to the man, Clark merely placed his hand on the man's shoulder causing the thug to spin around with a knife clasped in his hand, throwing the young woman to the floor with a growl of irritation.

"I suggest you leave her alone" his voice was blunt, as icy as the blue eyes that pierced into the thug making the man step back somewhat and hold the knife up in his own defence.

Suddenly a chuckle fell from the attacker's mouth as he pointed at the outfit Clark was wearing; waving the knife up and down as his eyes roamed the blue spandex covered man.

"What you going to do if I don't huh? What d'ya thinks ya some kinda superhero wearin' that shit! Where ya get it? A charity shop?" doubling over in laughter, Clark watched as the man almost dropped the knife to the floor in his own amusement ignoring the iciness of Clark's glare.

"My mother made it for me"

This only made the thug laugh harder, tears almost running down his face as he ridiculed a man who could break him in one hand and he didn't even realise it.

"I would suggest you listen to him"

Had Clark not heard the new voice before he may have been taken aback but even with the equipment he used to cover over his voice to keep from people discovering his identity, Clark would recognise him.

Having noticed Clark's attention moving towards the new arrival the thug took his chance, closing the distance between himself and the Kryptonian, knife in hand and slashed across Clark's neck; dropping the handle almost instantly as he felt the blade crumble against the impenetrable skin like it was glass hitting a wall. It left the once arrogant man fumbling, trying to get away from the unknown man only to be stopped as he was hoisted into the air by the collar of his jacket, feet trying to make contact with Clark's shins.

"May I borrow an arrow?" Clark asked the approaching man, having heard his attempt at silence his footsteps as he approached.

He could sense that the man was slightly flabbergasted by his question, but Clark still heard him unclip one of his smaller arrows from the harness on his leg and place it in the palm of his hand which Clark hand positioned above his shoulder so his attention was never far from the man in his grasp. Pinning the man against the wall, Clark drove the arrow into the wall through the man's leather jacket knowing that it would keep him in place before he turned his attention back to the woman who was still on the floor staring up at him in shock.

"I suggest you call the police then head home quickly, I am sure your parent's are worried about you" he said to the young girl who quickly fumbled her mobile phone from her pocket before climbing to her feet and running out of the alley.

Wanting to get away from the restrained man, Clark levitated slightly, turning around so he was facing the green leather clad man before flying up to land on the roof the other man had appeared on and waited for him to arrive. It wasn't a long wait as he soon found himself face to face with an arrow point; it was overtly obvious to Clark that the other man did not recognise him due to the shadows that engulfed his form or it had just been a while since he had last seen him.

"Thank you for your assistance Green Arrow, it is much appreciated" deciding to play with the man for a bit, Clark was highly amused when a low growl came from the other's throat and the arrow was aimed for his head as though the man was hoping that it would be an area that was penetrable.

"I would have thought you knew better than to point an arrow at someone who can't be cut by a knife... Oliver" smirking slightly as the other froze and stepping closer so the point of his arrow was in line with Clark's nose and barely a millimetre away in an attempt to rattle the Kryptonian.

"Who are you and how do you know who I am" Oliver's stance stood stronger as he stood with his feet apart should the slightly larger man choose to attack him after his demand.

Feigning a sigh of disappointment, Clark stepped out of the shadows, a silent chuckle slipping from his lips as a look of recognition appeared on Oliver's face indicating to Clark that the billionaire had previously not been able to get a good look of his face to deduce who he was.

"You wound me Olli... Surly I haven't been gone long enough for you to forget me" he smiled softly as he watched Oliver fold his bow away and slide it back into its harness before smiling up at Clark.

Pulling back his hood and removing his sunglasses, Clark saw Oliver beautiful brown eyes shine somewhat in his happiness that Clark couldn't help but smile back at him; the one thing Clark had always remembered about Oliver was how his eyes were always the pathway to what he was really thinking; one look and he knew what the billionaire was feeling or whether he was lying; it was refreshing to see the blonde after so long.

"Clark Kent, so you finally decide to show your face again. Been what four years? Nice to have you back though I must admit the tights and cape was something I never expected... Doesn't leave much to the imagination" Oliver laughed as he spoke patting the Kryptonian on the shoulder in greeting as he spoke, trying to get his blush under control.

"Well you did always want to get me into a costume; obviously it rubbed off on my mother... I would like to talk more but here isn't the place"

"My place is closer and I can lend you some clothes, I might have some in your size" Oliver said a little too quickly but luckily Clark didn't seem to notice. Pulling his hood up as he prepared to leave. He was more than a little shocked when he felt to arms wrap around his waist and turn him around so they were standing chest to chest.

Clark couldn't help but smirk slightly as he felt the blonde tense in his arms and try and pull away from him but it quickly died away and he soon felt the blonde relax into his hold and almost lean into his hold, that was the confusing aspect but Clark chose not to think into it too much.

"Hold on tight, I can get us there a lot quicker than walking... Just wrap your arms around my neck and hold on tightly, I would also tuck your head down to shield from the wind" he spoke, holding Oliver tighter as he prepared to take flight.

Quickly doing as Clark requested, Oliver tucked his head under Clark's chin and clamped his arms around his neck as tightly as he could fighting with extreme difficulty as his emotion's began to go haywire at the feeling of the brunets hard body pressed firmly against his own. The Kryptonian had been constantly on his mind since he had left four years ago; it had been the second year that he had realised with a little influence from Chloe that somewhere down the line he had developed deeper feelings for the 'Man of Steel'.