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Chapter 3

"Clark Kent."

The secretary looked up at him through her thick glasses and nodded. "Go right in."

Clark headed down the long, light blue hall until he found himself facing a large wooden door. He took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in."

Clark opened the door and slowly entered the principal's office. It was big, with a large desk in the back and a round wooden table on the other side of the room. Degrees lined the walls and there were photographs on every shelf and flat surface. Principal Cavill leaned against the front of his desk with his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. He was a young man, and good looking with pale strawberry curls and rectangular glasses that magnified blue- green eyes. He had been watching Conner when Clark entered; the boy sat at the large chair on the right side of the room. When Clark walked in, Conner and Principal Cavill looked up. The principal stood up straight and Conner quickly turned his head away.

"Mr. Kent, thank you for coming in," Principal Cavill greeted.

"Thank you for calling," Clark said politely. He sat in the chair next to Conner as Principal Cavill went around to sit at his desk.

"You said something about a chemical explosion?" Clark asked eyeing Conner.

"It was not an explosion, it was elephant toothpaste!" Conner's tone suggested he had said this many times.

"What?" Clark asked, completely lost.

"Elephant toothpaste is the foamy outcome of the mixture of the chemicals hydrogen peroxide with potassium iodide," the principal explained sternly.

"Ah," Clark said.

"It is a powerful and possibly toxic concoction and created a big mess in the chemistry lab," Principal Cavill continued looking at Conner.

"Then why did I hear it was an explosion?" Clark asked.

"Because Mr. Pacer is a big, fat-"

"Mr. Kent," Principal Cavill silenced Conner with a stern look then turned to Clark, who was glaring daggers at Conner.

"Mr. Pacer believes that Conner did this on purpose," he said. Conner scowled. "But, based on current reports of Conner's behavior, I believe that this may be a cry for attention."

"It is not!" Conner voice was loud and angry. "I told you, it was an accident. We mixed the chemicals wrong, no big deal."

Principal Cavill raised an eyebrow. "We?"

Conner shrank back slightly. "Me. I mean me." He avoided Clark's questioning gaze.

Principal Cavill watched Conner sternly. "Well then, since you are to blame, then you will take the punishment?"

Conner swallowed. Clark just had to be there, didn't he? "Yes."

"Very well. Detention for the rest of the year." Clark leaned back in his seat.

"But… that's only a few days," Conner said.

"Do you want it to be longer?"

"No! A few days are fine."

"Very well. I would like a word with your father now. Please wait out in the main office."

Conner glanced at Clark, who was anything but pleased. He sighed and hurried out the door. Clark turned toward Principal Cavill.

"I am so sorry about this, Mr. Cavill. Conner has been acting out lately; I really don't know what has gotten into him."

"Yes, I spoke with his other teachers. They all said that he has been unfocused and gloomy for the past few weeks. I must ask, have there been any major events going on?"

"Well, I'm getting married this Sunday."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. But I don't see why this would upset Conner?"

Principal Cavill clasped his hands and leaned forward. "How is his relationship with your fiancée?"

"They get along pretty well." Clark wondered where this was going. "They don't have any problems with each other, but they aren't that close now. I think they'll warm up to each other, though."

"Mmhm…." Principal Cavill studied Clark. "And how is his relationship with you?"

Clark was caught off guard. "I-I-we… fine."

"You know, I majored in child psychology, Mr. Kent."

"Well, it's been… strained."

"I see."

"Since, you know, he's been getting into trouble lately, and I've had to speak with him about it, and he doesn't like to, you know… talk."

"What kind of trouble?" Principal Cavill sounded genuinely concerned.

"Oh! Nothing illegal, just coming home very late and not listening to me when I tell him to do something, and playing his guitar at night."

"Ah."

"I'm… not sure what to do."

"Well, Mr. Kent, the best thing would be to talk to him about it. Sit him down and talk. Make it clear that you are in charge."

"Uh- huh." Clark's tone suggested he did not think too highly of that idea and Principal Cavill caught it.

"If there are any other problems with Conner, you can inform us. We have very good guidance counselors and psychologists."

"Alright. Thank you."

"Have a nice day, Mr. Kent."

"You too." Clark stood up and headed out of the office.

Conner was waiting in the main office, slumped in one of the chairs. He had been looking at his hands, but glanced up nervously when Clark entered.

"Car," he said.

Conner sighed and stood up. Clark went straight for the door without looking at Conner and led him down the hallway and out of the building to where the car was parked.

Conner opened up the passenger's door and got in, preparing himself. He knew that Clark had been waiting for something like this to happen, something big, and he would finally let Conner have it. Clark remained silent as he climbed into the driver's seat and started the ignition. He stared ahead so intently that Conner was surprised his eyes hadn't popped out of his head yet. Conner bit his lip and looked straight ahead. He had never seen Clark like this- so mad that he was silent.

After what felt like many hours, Clark spoke. "Well?"

Conner was hesitant to answer. "Well what?"

"Explain yourself," Clark said slowly, pronouncing each syllable.

Conner was silent for a moment. "Well, I-"

"A lab accident, Conner!" Clark exploded. Conner leaned back in his chair, not at all surprised. "A chemical explosion! What were you thinking! That was absolutely reckless and inconsiderate! What if someone got hurt? You're lucky you weren't expelled!" Conner didn't respond. "And talking back to your principal! Have I taught you nothing!" Conner remained silent. "What do have to say for yourself, mister?"

"I…." Conner wanted to tell Clark everything. How Evan had taken Logan's glasses while his friends mislabeled the chemicals so they would create elephant's toothpaste. How he had taken the fall so frail little Logan wouldn't get in trouble for something he didn't do. How Mrs. Thorburne hated him and failed him on purpose. How much guitar playing really meant to him and how badly he wanted to play at the House of Rock. How he loved to go to his meadow to draw and forget everything. How he got a horribly sick and twisted feeling in his stomach when Clark would get mad at him for something so minimal. It was all on the tip of his tongue, ready to come tumbling out at any moment. But one look at Clark's scornful scowl and the words died before they were said.

"You what?" Clark asked forcefully.

"I…." Conner sighed and bowed his head. "Never mind."

"So you don't even have and excuse this time?"

That did it. "Listen, Clark, I've had a long day and as much as I just love our arguments, I'm getting sick of trying to explain myself when no matter what I say, you never believe me!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Clark asked angrily.

"You think all I do is make up excuses!"

"I do not think that!"

Conner laughed forcefully.

"Name one time." Clark demanded.

"Alright," Conner said. "My history teacher, Mrs. Thor-"

"Not this again," Clark moaned.

"See!" Conner said triumphantly.

"Conner, I've told you, she's just a difficult teacher, she does not have it out for you," Clark said tiredly.

"Yes! She does! But you never believe me!"

"Because you're making up excuses!" Clark shouted. Conner was silent. He crossed his arms and turned to look out the window. He was glad that he hadn't told Clark everything. He wouldn't have believed him anyway.

In the Kent's apartment

Clark and Conner had not spoken to each other for the rest of the car ride, and when they finally got to their building, Conner walked ahead of Clark and went straight to his bed room. Clark walked in and dropped his briefcase on the floor, pulled off his fedora and glasses, and collapsed on the couch, face in hands. Clark felt upset and depressed, two emotions he was used to by now. He sighed and picked up the phone. At least he knew who he could talk to.

Conner pulled of his jacket and tossed it on the floor next to Wolf, waking him. He took off his glasses and unceremoniously threw them on his night stand. Conner collapsed onto his bed face down and moaned. He heard Wolf start to whine and a few seconds later he felt a large, wet nose poking the side of his face. Conner looked up. He could have sworn that Wolf looked concerned. He patted the wolf's head as he continued to whine. "I'm alright, boy. Don't worry about me." Conner rolled over so he was on his back and looked at the pictures on his ceiling. Carefully drawn portraits of his friends, colored in expertly and delicately. He always put his favorites on the ceiling above his bed so they would be the last thing he saw at night and the first thing he saw in the morning. There was one of Wally grinning and leaning against a tree giving a thumbs up, one of Robin in civilian clothes crouching on a rock and holding a batarang above his head with a wicked smile, and one of M'gann holding a tray of cookies fresh out of the oven with a cheery smile and looking dreamily into space. There was one of Kaldur with his hands in his pockets and a calm grin on his face, his eel tattoos lit up with glowing blue stencil. There was one of Zatanna holding her wand with various objects floating above her head, like cards, flowers, a rabbit, doves, and some sparkles thrown in. There was one of Artemis with her bow aiming an arrow right at Conner. Lastly, there was a picture of all of them drawn together on a long banner paper in their superhero uniforms in fighting poses. That one Conner drew from memory.

He sighed and sat up. He hadn't seen them in so long. Well, it was two weeks, buts that's a long time. He remembered when he had to talk them into posing for hours each, and all the complaining. He remembered the amazement on their faces when he finally showed them the finished drawings and the way he smiled when they praised him. "See? I told you you'd like drawing," Robin said with a smile. And he was right.

Conner sat up and looked around his room. He took his black accordion folder with a red S shield painted on it (by yours truly) and took out the papers. It was full of his unfinished drawings that he would take out and work on when he felt like it. He went to the last section on the folder and took out his masterpiece. The paper, still big, thick, and white had the unfinished drawing of him and Clark on it. He remembered when Clark watched him sketch a picture of Wolf snarling with his teeth bared and how impressed Clark had been at the detail. Conner had started sketching his masterpiece only an hour later, using the stencils M'gann got him for his birthday.

Conner sighed and got up. He crossed to the other side of his room and placed the picture on his dresser. He stood there for a second and then picked up his guitar. Instead of pulling out his chair and setting up his music stand like usual, Conner hopped on his bed and leaned back against his pillows, kicking of his boots. He got his guitar pick off of his dresser, straightened his guitar and began to play one of his all-time favorites; John Rzeznik's "I'm Still Here".

Conner closed his eyes and hummed the lyrics as he played, feeling himself growing calmer. That was until he heard his name being mentioned.

"A chemical explosion? That doesn't sound like Conner." Lois Lane was hardly surprised by anything, but she sounded shocked by the news.

"That's what I thought too." Conner frowned. They were talking about him on the phone again.

"Was it on purpose?"

"The teacher seemed to think so."

"What did Conner say?"

"I didn't ask him."

"So his teacher accuses him of something and you don't ask him for his side of the story?"

"He just gave excuses." Clark sounded agitated.

"So you have no idea what actually happened?"

"Well…"

"What kind of a reporter are you?"

"Lois! Why would a teacher lie?"

"Smallville, you mean to tell me that you've never had a mean teacher who hated your guts in all twelve years of school?"

"No, I have not."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"I was taught that if you were nice to people, they would be nice to you. So I never had any issues with teachers."

"Yeah, well when you're raised by two saints like Martha and Jonathan, you're bound to be a goody-goody."

"I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted by that statement," Clark said flatly.

"Come on, Smallville, you know I love your parents. They're great people and they obviously did a great job," Lois said genuinely.

"Thanks, Lois," Clark responded. "That means a lot." There were a few seconds of silence.

"Smallville?"

"Huh?"

"You still there?"

"Yeah, I just… had an idea."

"Spill."

"Well, maybe if his behavior doesn't get better soon, I was thinking… maybe I should send Conner to Smallville to live with my parents."

Conner felt his heart stop for a moment. Move to Smallville? Clark was going to send him away? He hardly did anything wrong! Conner felt immense sadness and hurt, which was instantly replaced with anger and betrayal. Conner jumped up from his bed, knocking his precious guitar to the floor, threw opened his door and raced down the hall. He was in front of Clark in an instant.

"What did you say!" It wasn't a question.

Clark frowned and lowered the phone. "Were you listening in on our conversation?" He asked disapprovingly.

"Smallville?"

Clark sighed and brought the phone back up to his ear. "Lois, I'm gonna have to call you back."

"You can't send me there! I won't go!" Conner declared stubbornly as Clark hung up the phone and set on the kitchen counter.

"If I say you have to go, you will. I'm still the boss of you." Clark said in a calm yet stern voice. Conner scowled.

"Believe me, Conner, I don't want to send you away, I really, really don't. But I'm worried about you." He tried to place his hand on Conner's shoulder, but the teenager shied away.

"You've been acting very brash and distant lately, and it's not healthy. What's worse, you refuse to talk about it, so I don't even know what's wrong."

"There is nothing wrong with me!"

"I never said-"

"I know what you said."

Clark pursed his lips. "You're in denial."

"I'm not denying anything!"

"Conner-"

"You just don't listen to me!"

"Conner!"

Conner immediately became silent; it was the best thing to do when Superman raised his voice.

"Here's the deal." Clark said evenly. His eyes bore into Conner's, who frowned. "You get one last chance- no running off for hours, no coming home late, no more bad grades, no more detentions, no more attitude, no more reckless behavior. If you break our deal, you're going to live in Smallville until further notice. Understand?"

Conner scowled and looked away.

"I said, understand?"

Conner met Clark's eyes.

"Yes."

Three hours later

"No! No way! I don't care if I accidentally cause the apocalypse; there is no way he is sending me to Smallville!" Conner saw his friends giving him blank stares from his computer screen.

"What?"

"Dude, the first time you went there, you talked our ears off for a whole week about it," Wally said.

"When I was visiting for a week. But I can't live there!"

"Why not? I thought you liked Mr. and Mrs. Kent," M'gann said.

"I do, but I can't go live there. It's halfway across the country. What about school and missions and you guys? I can't just leave."

"Tell us again why you may be sent there?" Kaldur asked as he folded his hands.

"Because Superman thinks I've been having an attitude problem or something." He noticed their eyes starting to shift. "What?"

"Well…" Robin started. "You have been… kind of… moody."

"Moody how?" Conner asked incredulously.

"Remember two weeks ago? The Bane mission?"

Conner thought back to last week when he had engaged in hand to hand combat with Bane during the mission. He had gained the upper hand and was about to knock the villain unconscious when Aqualad had ordered him to stop.

"What about it?"

"You put him in Arkham's hospital ward."

"So?"

"He's still there."

"Guess you won't be having any Bane problems any time soon. Your welcome." Conner said sarcastically. Robin face palmed.

"What Boy Wonder here means to say is that we think you may be bottling up some anger," Artemis said. Conner frowned. That was rich, coming from her.

"I am not!" Conner shouted. Kaldur raised an eyebrow.

"No?" He asked.

"Coulda fooled us," Zatanna said.

Conner took a deep breath and crossed his arms. "You all sound like Superman! There is nothing wrong with me!" There was an awkward pause.

"No one said there was," Robin said slowly.

"Did Superman?" M'gann asked.

"He might as well have." Conner picked up his guitar pick and started to play with it. There was a moment of awkward silence.

"Subject change!" Wally exclaimed with fake enthusiasm. "So, are you totally psyched about your concert?"

"Yeah," Conner said absentmindedly.

"We can't wait to see you!" M'gann said. "You'll be the best one there."

"Thanks."

"So, uh, what time was it again?" Zatanna asked. Conner was pretty sure she already knew.

"Nine."

"Have you been practicing?" Robin asked.

Conner finally looked up. "I've been trying to, but Clarks gets mad whenever I practice."

"Why?" Artemis asked.

"Because he thinks I'll wake up the whole building."

"So practice during the day."

Conner scowled.

"What?"

"Wally! You're not still on your computer, are you?" A woman's voice called.

"Uh, no Aunt Iris!" Wally called back. He turned back to the computer screen. "I'll see you guys on Friday," he whispered.

Everyone said their 'good-byes' to Wally.

"We should Sype like this more often," M'gann said. Everyone paused.

"Skype." Robin said.

"Oh! Right," M'gann gave an embarrassed laugh as Wally's window went dark and disappeared.

"I should probably go too- you know, finals," Robin said.

After that, everyone said their good-byes to each other until only M'gann and Conner were left.

"Conner?"

"Yeah?"

"I want you to know that even if you do move to Smallville, nothing will change between us," she said with a smile.

"Thanks M'gann. But I won't be moving to Smallville. Ever. Not as long as I have a say in the matter."

"Well, good night."

"Good night."

Conner shut off his computer and was left sitting in the dark.

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