I did it! I actually wrote the chapter! I know it's been forever, and there's a long story behind why I haven't updated in a few months...which I won't be telling, because it will be about as long as the chapter itself.

I own absolutely nothing mentioned in this fic!

Superman sighed as he walked into the Legion HQ. He knew Brainy had been right, but he couldn't bear the idea of Brainy, soft, breakable Brainy, fighting against seasoned criminals in his new body. Shouldn't he at least be taking some more time to adjust?

He came to the lab door and knocked tentatively, knowing Brainy would probably be working on something while he brooded inside. He heard some metal fall, and then a grunt.

"I'll be there in a minute!"

He was probably cleaning up from the earlier episode, Superman thought, and there was a few more minutes of quiet, interrupted only by the screeching of metal and the grunts of Brainy trying to move things by himself.

Superman wondered if he should try to help. Before he could reach a decision, however, Brainy opened the door.

"Hello? Oh. It's you."

Brainy moved aside anyway to let him in, though his eyes didn't light up like they normally did when Superman visited him. Of course, Superman couldn't really blame him for being unhappy to see him. Brainy went over to his workbench and started organizing some pieces of metal.

"Did you want something?"

Superman shrugged. He hadn't really had a plan, his feet had just guided him here. He sat down next to Brainy.

"What are you doing?"

Brainy responded without looking over at him.

"Organizing the different metals so I can melt them down and reuse them."

Superman nodded.

"Ah."

He shifted uncomfortably next to Brainy. Brainy set down the pieces of metal he was holding with a sigh.

"All right I'm sorry I yelled at you. Now go away."

Brainy picked back up the pieces he'd been sorting and went back to it. Superman shook his head. He hadn't come here to get an apology, he knew that for sure.

"Look, Brainy, I didn't come here for an apology, you can be as angry as you want, okay? I just want you to listen to me for a minute. Brainy?"

Brainy muttered something, but he set down the pieces again. He looked over somewhat impatiently.

"I'm listening."

Superman settled into his seat and began.

"Okay, I know you were angry that I thought you couldn't take care of yourself, and I'm sorry about that, but Brainy, you only became human a few days ago, how can you possibly be ready for crimefighting? In my past, if a superhero went through a change like that, they would normally take a break to adjust. I don't understand how you could possibly be ready to fight again after just a few days."

Brainy opened his mouth, but Superman shook his head and continued.

"I also think that it isn't a good idea for you to be fighting crime in the same area as certain legionnares, especially in your more vulnerable state."

Superman stopped to take a breath, and Brainy took the opportunity.

"Superman, I've known how to fight hand to hand for a few years now, it's not that hard to translate it into human movements. Of course I was angry, you wouldn't even listen when I told you I know how to take care of myself. And as for Sunboy and Nemesis Kid, I don't think they would be stupid enough to attack one of their fellow legionnares during a fight. So that's that. I will continue in active membership, and I will continue this whether or not you approve. Please respect my wishes Superman.I don't need anyone else out to get me."

He looked pointedly at a green bruise forming on his arm. Superman's stomach dropped.

"Did I do that?"

Brainy nodded.

"In your misguided attempt to save me, you must have forgotten your own strength. It should heal in a few days."

Superman nodded slowly, and got up to leave.

"I'm really sorry I hurt you Brainy. Is there any way I can make it up to you?"

Brainy didn't even turn around.

"Don't try to stop me."

Superman wrestled with his concern for Brainy and came up with an answer.

"I won't."

And with that, he left, to give Brainy some space, and to give himself some space.

-----

Lyle cautiously poked his head into the lab, to see if it was safe to enter. It seemed as if Brainy was always angry when he came in, or having some sort of emotional breakdown. He watched the green boy sorting bits of metal for a few seconds, then decided it was safe.

As he walked by him, Brainy startled him with a question.

"Do you think I should take a few days break before continuing with active crimefighting?"

Lyle shrugged.

"Um, I don't know...maybe?"

He scratched the back of his neck.

"Why are you asking me?"

Brainy continued sorting the bits of metal.

"I just wanted an unbiased opinion."

Lyle walked towards his project.

"Oh. Okay."

----

Shrinking Violet peeked nervously into the lab. She knew Brainy was in a bad mood, since the fight with Superman earlier. He was probably busy stewing over some long-forgotten project. Yep, working on the force-field belt again.

"Hey, Brainy, how's it going?"

She walked cautiously towards him, glancing over at Lyle in the hopes of getting some sort of sign as to Brainy's mood. Lyle shrugged and made a so-so hand motion. Vi looked back at Brainy and realized with a start that he had been watching their whole exchange.

"I'm not going to explode. There's no need to try and communicate behind my back."

Lyle smiled, but he looked nervous.

"Right, sorry..."

Vi smiled. That was her Brainy!

"Need any help?"

Brainy nodded, smiling slightly.

"Hop in."

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