Smallville Cemetery…

Clark stood before the graves of his parents he'd avoided coming to see them for as long as he could partly out of guilt and partly out of shame. He dressed in a black suit, white shirt and blue tie while hold flowers in each hand for a while he didn't say anything he just stood there thinking about what he should say until finally he placed the flowers before his parents headstones.

Finally after a cold wind blew across the field Clark broke his silence "I know I haven't been around much lately Mom, Dad and I want you to know I'm sorry. Look I know I wasn't always the best kid I know I broke your hearts a few times and I'm sorry for that and I'm even sorrier that I couldn't protect you. I haven't been the best person these last few years and while I could blame it all on Hydra screwing with my mind and memories I know in my heart that I made my own choices I may have had Grant Ward's memories but at the end of the day I still-"

Clark stopped unable to bring himself to speak he turned toward his dad's grave "You know Dad when I was under Hydra's control I met this man named Phil Coulson you would have liked him at least I like to think you would have. He kind of reminds me of you and after the programing Hydra gave me wore off I started to think about something he said how I had the rest of my life to decide who I was going to be or something like that.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that you two don't need to worry about me any more I need you two to trust who I'm going be and in everything I'm going to do. You will always be my parents no matter what others might say that will never change." Another breeze blew this time scattering fallen leaves and as one leaf blew in front of Clark he vanished.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Washington D.C. …

Coulson was looking over multiple reports for months he'd suspected that someone had been stealing SHIELD secrets and technology but had been unable to find a pattern until now though he still had no idea who the traitor was it made him uneasy the idea that he couldn't trust the people under his command mostly because it reminded him of Grant Ward.

"Just who the hell are you?" Coulson asked looking at a blurred image if only it was a bit clearer he would know who was selling S.H.E.I.L.D.'s secrets. However it wasn't and Coulson had only a blurry face to look at.

After a few moments of starring Coulson heard a knock on his door "Come in."

To Coulson's surprise it was Fitz that walked in his office "Coulson hi I need to tell you something."

At first Coulson didn't know what to say over the years Fitz had become more and more socially withdrawn he rarely spoke to most of the old team and in truth so did they. It was to Coulson's shame out of fear that he and the rest of the old team avoided Fitz "Uh Fitz please come in how are you?"

Fitz let out a weak laugh as he straightened his tie "I'm fine Coulson in fact I've got my problem with words well under control so you don't need to feel awkward around me." Fitz explained as he sat down in front of Coulson's desk "You know I remember when we first started working together you, me, Skye, Simmons, May, and-" Fitz stopped himself it was funny how just mentioning the name of a former friend could make you choke up with emotion.

"Ward?" Coulson asked finishing for Fitz.

Fitz smiled bitterly "Yes Ward I still find to believe you know. I mean he was the best of us wasn't he? I sometimes saw him as this angelic protector that could do no wrong and I think or rater I'd like to think that there was some truth to his act. Still it doesn't change what he did does it? Besides when I think of how it was him our angelic protector that destroyed us I am reminded of one simple and absolute truth."

"What is that?"

"That Lucifer the Devil the most evil and abominable of all beings was once an angel. The most evil being in all of theology once stood as a shining beacon of light. Just like Ward once stood as shining beacon for us. Though Ward is not entirely to blame."

"What are you saying?" Coulson asked confused.

"I'm saying that we are as much to blame for the devastation Ward's deception caused as he was. After all we put him up on a pedestal which no doubt blinded us to his faults. We saw him as who we needed him to be rather than who he truly was a monster."

"I suppose you're right about that." Coulson nodded in agreement "Now what do you want to talk about Fitz?"

"Ah, yes well I wanted to tell you I've been thinking and I think it's time I left S.H.I.E.L.D. I understand it may seem out of the blue but I need to get out into the world and actually make a difference."

Coulson gave Fitz a skeptical look "Are you saying you don't make a difference working with us?"

"I'm only being practical Coulson what does S.H.I.E.L.D. do besides gather technology and monitor super powered humans I joined to help people make a difference not stay cooped up in a lab all day playing mad scientist."

"Is that what you think you do Fitz? I can assure you the work we do is important."

"Really? Tell me then Coulson has S.H.I.E.L.D. made progress in curing Cancer, HIV, Ebola, please regale me with the ways you've helped humanity other than carrying on as a glorified police force." Fitz took a deep breath to calm down "Look I'm sorry I don't mean to lose my temper it's just I need to move on Coulson can you understand that?"

"I think I can Fitz. After all there comes a time in every man's life where he has to find his purpose."

"Well then I guess this is goodbye take care Coulson." Fitz extended his hand, Coulson did the same and the two comrades shook hands saying goodbye.

"Ah!" Coulson shouted reacting to what felt like a sting of static electricity.

"Oh sorry it must be my ring, old family heirloom. Well if there's nothing else Coulson I'll be going." Fitz started to walk out the door but stopped he turned back to look at Coulson a nostalgic smile filling his face "I know a lot of people say this Coulson so first I want to say I think of you like a father Coulson so you'll know. It's not personal what I'm doing you've taught me sacrifices for the greater good are necessary and I realize this is a sacrifice I need to make so when I say this wasn't personal you know I'm telling the truth. For what it's worth this is very hard for me to do and it's important you know that."

Coulson couldn't help but smile at his old friend look up on him with affection "It's okay I understand there comes a time in a man's life when he has to move on and start a new chapter goodbye Fitz."

"Goodbye Coulson I'll miss you I truly mean that." With that Fitz closed the door.

The Fortress of Solitude…

Clark was reading a newspaper published by his late father's favorite newspaper the Daily Planet a rather over the top name but still it was a good source of information because it was one of few that covered events concerning organizations like Hydra, A.I.M. and of course S.H.I.E.L.D. Clark particularly loved the articles written by a woman known as Lois Lane she had a certain flare that he liked.

I mean this was a woman that didn't back down or take crap from anyone she even made Nick Furry sweat during an interview that was the first time Clark saw her and boy did she take his breath away and she also might have embarrassed Nick Furry and damaged his pride beyond all hope of repair. Needless to say she made quite an impression on Clark and he'd been a fan ever since.

The article was mostly about S.H.I.E.L.D. about how the latest scandals had put into question whether S.H.I.E.L.D. could be trusted or not with the public's safety. She really hit home in a few areas and provided thought provoking arguments. In essence Lois was a head strong woman.

Clark was about to put the newspaper away when an article in the corner of the front page caught his eye the head line read: LEX CORP announces its grand opening and vows to lead man kind in a great new age.

"LEX CORP? What kind of a name is LEX CORP?" Clark continued to read the article "Many anticipate the young company finally getting its feet off the ground and for the company's founder Alexander Joseph Luthor better known as Lex Luthor, reclusive genius to finally make his public appearance at the Stark Expo later this year." Clark paused for a moment trying to think "Luthor? Why does that name sound familiar? Oh well I suppose it's not important."

S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Washington D.C. …

May walked through the halls checking her watch she wasn't happy Coulson are promised to be on time for their dinner date and instead he was working late again. "Phil? I know you're in there. Look I know you take your job seriously so do I but even I know when it's time to put the job aside." May said knocking on the door after which there was a long pause "Phil? I'm coming in." May looked around at first nothing seemed out of the ordinary then she looked down and saw Coulson lying on the floor. "Phil!" May rushed to Coulson's body shaking him desperately "Phil wake up! Someone call medical! Someone anyone help! Please don't die Phil please don't die!"

Outside of S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters…

"I think you would understand Coulson why I did what I did I hope you can forgive me I truly did think of you as a father." Fitz mumbled as he exited the building toward a limo his accent slowly changing from English to American.

He got into the limo where he greeted by his driver "Good to see you again Mr. Luthor where to?"

"The airport I have a flight to Metropolis to catch."