09/23/14

I know I said I would put longer stories on their own as a one shot but I think I like keeping all the week's themes together. The idea behind this was suggested by Dracophile.

Sept 23: Reincarnation Tuesday: Suggested by CreepyPastaGoth. Reborn as different species, genders, alien race?

3. Reincarnation Tuesday

Electric Sheep

Like most people the boy had looked right past Clark the first time they encountered each other. It was to be expected though, Clark's disguise outside his Superman suit was meant to be overlooked. Normally it didn't bother him and was considered a successful day of acting the part of a meek reporter but, for whatever reason, in that instance it did bother him.

Though Clark really shouldn't have called him a boy, he was more like a young man, not much younger then Clark himself. And the only reason why Clark knew the other man's name and age though was because Lois had just interviewed him; he was a young Science Fiction novelist that had just won a few awards for his latest book.

The following morning Clark could not stop himself from buying a copy of the latest book by Quinn Duglas, pleased that the inside flap had a picture of the author along with some information about him. Quinn was only two years younger than Clark but had graduated college by the time Clark was in the middle of Junior High. Along with being a author he was a scientist, which was one of the reasons his Science Fiction novels were oddly realistic in many fashions.

Even physically Quinn defied the norm. Quinn was one of the only African Americans Clark had ever seen with natural blonde hair, that was a little curly even when pulled back in a ponytail, and also had blue eyes that almost looked purple at times. It was a striking combination to say the least.

As Clark read the book on his lunch break at his desk, he lamented not taking the opportunity to introduce himself to Quinn; to have not done anything to be noticed by the talented author. The world Quinn created was so wonderfully like the 31st century that Clark felt a little future homesick and felt like talking to the visionary would help ease that a bit.

"How are you enjoying the book so far," an unfamiliar male voice awoke Clark from his thoughts.

Without looking up, Clark answered, "It's hard to put down."

The unknown man chuckled, "I can see that."

"Hey Smallville, don't be rude to our guest," Lois suddenly snapped at him.

Clark looked up and nearly dropped his book, for beside Lois was Quinn Duglas.

"What, why," Clark stammered, "Wasn't your interview yesterday?"

"Yes but he graciously agreed to come back today for pictures since Jimmy was on another assignment yesterday," Lois answered for the author.

"How far are you in the book?" asked Quinn, smiling at Clark.

"Tenth chapter," Clark replied.

"But you just started that today, what kind of crazy speed reader are you," Lois looked at the book over Clark's shoulder, Clark unsure if she was impressed or annoyed; or annoyed by being impressed.

"Ah, you're almost to my favorite chapter then," Quinn continued to smile. "You'll have to let me know what you think."

Before Clark could ask which chapter was Quinn's favorite, Lois led the author away. There was ten minutes left in his break and it was a thirty chapter book, if Clark read the rest in the bathroom, he could probably finish it before then.

By the time the photo shoot was over Clark had finished reading the book and snuck away to read the book again so he would have plenty to talk about if Quinn were to ask. Unfortunately Quinn had to leave for a book signing but gave Clark hope that he would be back when he said he still looked forward to hearing Clark's opinions on the book.

In the days that followed Clark read the rest of Quinn's books; all twenty of them. Most of the books were part of a series but the most recent ones had been stand alone stories. The first one Clark read was definitely his favorite and kept the copy with him to re-read, slowly, whenever he could spare the time.

Surprisingly Quinn invited Clark to lunch to talk about the books and though Clark eagerly accepted he had to cancel last minute due to Lex being, well, Lex. The second invitation Quinn cancelled due to "sudden inspiration striking" and Clark only found himself more interested.

At last they met for coffee, or rather hot chocolate and scones near the Daily Planet, and Quinn got there first having the table covered with numerous papers that he was scribbling all over by the time Clark arrived.

"Inspiration strike," Clark asked when Quinn made room on the table for Clark to set down his food and drink, though he had been able to see most of the papers were covered in numbers and doodles.

"In a way," Quinn casually stuck all the papers into his bag without organizing any of them, "Just some new scientific theories to theorize; or something to look at later and wonder what I was thinking."

They laughed and talked about Quinn's books and Clark's works and the latest Brainiac attack, hot chocolate and scones turning into soda and sandwiches as time flew by.

"So does Lois call you "Smallville" because you are from there or is she being ironic likens Robin Hood calling his friend, "Little John"," Quinn asked, now doodling onto a napkin in an absent fashion.

Clark chuckled, "The first one, though I'm surprised; even though Smallville isn't far from Metropolis most people don't know about it."

"My uncle on my mother's side has a farm there," Quinn replied, "We go there every Christmas."

"So we could have passed each other in town," Clark was astonished he never noticed Quinn before, though he spent a lot of time looking down at he walked he supposed.

"Not really," Quinn shook his head. "We go straight to the farm, spend the night and go home in the morning. I don't think I've ever actually been in town there."

"Next Christmas you'll have to let me show you around," Clark hoped he didn't sound like he was pleading with the author.

Either way it must have worked for Quinn smiled and said he would enjoy that.

After that day they met sporadically when they could both make time in their schedules and not cancel at the last minute. They met for meals, random coffee breaks, sometimes just walking together somewhere for other meetings or appointments. Once Quinn even took Clark along to a award ceremony for Clark to write about for the Planet but they spent most of the evening in hushed whispers and stifled laughter as they mocked the announcer's "I hate my life" professor like drone.

The first time they kissed it was an accident. They were laughing about something and suddenly Clark just leaned in, actually getting Quinn's teeth instead of his lips. Clark thought Quinn would be furious but Quinn just laughed and pulled Clark back in to try again.

After about a month of actual dating, not just the "we're pretty much dating but we haven't put a name to what we're doing" hanging out of before, Quinn left to go on a book signing tour. Quinn admitted he hated talking on the phone but promised he'd do his best to annoy Clark in other ways while he was gone.

As Quinn had said he would, he never called Clark. Instead he texted Clark, sometimes several times a day. Things like, "I hate planes" and "I found chocolate to kill for, bringing back a pound if I don't eat it all before hand" along with "some people should not be allowed to leave their house" popped up randomly on Clark's phone but it made him smile non-the-less. Each night Quinn would send him a, "dream of electric sheep" text around the time Clark assumed Quinn was about to go to bed and Clark would reply with "X"s and "O"s and Quinn would call him mushy.

It wasn't until after a long day of saving the Earth from invasion along with the Justice League that Clark realized he hadn't gotten a single text. Once he was home he tried texting, then calling when he did not get a reply but all he got was the phone continuously ringing.

Clark donned his cape and continued to call, listening for Quinn's phone ringing to find where he was. He really wished he hadn't though.

While Superman was off saving the Earth, Quinn's hotel suffered a gas leak and someone smoking in the non-smoking hotel made the gas combust violently. Several people were pronounced dead at the scene, including Quinn.

Quinn died and it had nothing to do with being an author, a scientist or unwittingly dating Superman. It was just random. It was unfair.

At least Quinn had told his parents about Clark, he had been able to attend the funeral but not see Quinn again due to it being closed casket. That Christmas Clark sent hot chocolate and other sweets to Quinn's uncle's farm and gave his favorite book, worn from many readings, a tour of Smallville.

Some time had passed when Brainy came to bring him back to the future to help against Imperiax. He didn't tell anyone about Quinn, there was no reason for any of them to know.

Superman spent most of his free time outside of missions with Brainy, the familiar presence of his old friend soothing somehow.

"It's late," Superman couldn't tell by the stars outside the windows while they were in space but there were still a clock Lightning Lad had put in Brainy's make-shift lab to remind him to eat and sleep. "We should go to bed."

"I have some work left to do," Brainy didn't look up. "I'll go to bed in a bit."

"Alright," Superman sighed, knowing that probably meant hours and not minutes. "Good night Brainy."

"Good night, dream of electric sheep," Brainy said almost absently.

Superman stopped and her stared at his friend. It wasn't an unusual thing to say but the way he said it was, it was so much like Quinn it sped his heart rate right up there like after their first kiss. The whole thing was so surreal.

With time travel Superman had met Brainy first but then when he returned to his own time he met Quinn, whom reminded him of the future. Had it really been Brainy that Quinn reminded Clark of? As Brainy is now reminding Clark of Quinn?

After a bit Brainy looked up and found Superman staring at him, "Superman is something wrong?"

Another moment passed and Superman smiled, "Nothing. X. O. X. O."

"What the sprock does "X.O.X.O." mean," Brainy asked but Superman just chuckled and said he'd explain everything over hot chocolate sometime.