"So this is where Clark Kent grew up. Interesting," Bruce said to himself as he surveyed the Kent farm.

An attractive young woman with blonde hair approached him. Bruce spoke first, "It's just the sort of place you'd picture when you think of where Clark Kent grew up," he said in his calm, unreadable tone.

"Who are you?" Kara asked, eyes flashing and hands on her hips. Where most women would have fallen for his dark looks and suave manner right away, Kara was more concerned that there was a possible intruder on the premises.

Bruce was strangely attracted to her. He was able to think up a half-truth to tell her. He was actually quite used to it. "Do you remember the superhero that Clark has been consulting and advising?"

"Yes," she said, urging him to go on.

He put out his hand to shake hands with her. "I'm him. Bruce Wayne at your service."

She reluctantly shook his hand, but her eyes were still slightly narrowed in suspicion, "Clark didn't tell me you were coming."

"I assume he's not home then? Well, it will be a bit of a surprise, but then he has surprised me a time or two, being from another planet."

Kara smiled at last and it was a very bright one, not a trace of suspicion left, "He will probably be home soon. Come inside. You can get something to drink and meet my teacher."

A few moments later, Bruce found himself shaking hands with a very short, fragile-looking elderly woman.

"Bruce, this is Ms. Laeti Pris-Im and Ms. Pris-Im, this is Mr. Bruce Wayne."

"It's nice to meet you," Bruce said politely. He knew there was something different about the woman. Clark hadn't mentioned any other survivors and her grip hadn't seemed very strong for someone who ought to have super strength like Clark and Kara had, yet there still something almost otherworldly about her.

"She is a clone of my teacher on Krypton," Kara explained, picking up on his puzzlement. "She taught Earth Culture and History, and I thought what better way to adapt to this planet, because frankly I am still a little strange for a girl born and raised in Minnesota. It so happens that my uncle had her DNA on file, so I cloned her to help me out. I've finally come to terms with the fact that Earth has to be my home now."

Clark knocked on the door. Kara seemed surprised that he would knock on his own door. "I wonder if he has some sort of news?" she asked Bruce without really expecting him to answer. She went quickly to open the door.

"I have a surprise for you. You'll never guess—" Kara began.

"I'm afraid he's dead," Clark said abruptly without letting her finish. He figured he might as well end this lie that he had began and the sooner, the better. Then he could work up to telling Kara that he had been dating Lois and that he planned on marrying her. He didn't think Kara would be too happy to learn that he had proposed to Lois and still hadn't found the time to tell her about his other identity. That was another reason he had been putting it off.

Kara was clearly taken back by his news. "What did you say? Who's dead?"

"The superhero I have been telling you about. He—he—this is very hard for me to talk about, but he was killed. He died very bravely though defending the city." Clark managed to have a very mournful expression on his face as he told her his pre-rehearsed story. He hated to admit it, but lying seemed to be getting easier and easier for him. He also had a hand over his heart as he talked about the imaginary superhero's heroic death, which he hoped wasn't too over the top.

"Are you sure?" Kara asked.

"I wasn't there at the time, or maybe I could have helped him, but I just got back from his memorial service. It was a small gathering. Just a few of us superheroes like Oliver and Bart, he didn't really have any family. It was very touching."

Bruce appeared where Clark could see him. "Bruce!" Clark exclaimed.

"Either someone came back from the dead or somebody has some serious explaining to do," Kara said, looking from one man to the other.

TBC