A/N Sorry this one's a bit shorter I've been a bit busy the last two days. I promise that the next one will be longer!
31st Century
"So what the Blur just gave up. He stopped saving people?" Lois said putting the pieces of what Rokk was trying to explain to her.
"Sort of. The Blur didn't stop being a hero. He just stopped believing in the value of humanity, even his own. The old Blur used to inspire hope in people. But since the change his actions were more like putting a Band-Aid on a wound that requires stitches. Sure it stops the bleeding, but it takes forever to heal, and that's if it ever heals."
"Ok so what do we do to change it? How can I possibly be of any help?" Lois shook her head. She didn't see how she could have any impact. She was just a small time reporter. She hardly had the influence to change the future.
"Lois, I don't think that it's a coincidence you were sent here. You're the only one that's spoken to the Blur. He's called you not once but twice. You have a connection with him, if anyone can reach him, it would be you."
It was at this point that Garth and Imra came back into the room. Imra handed Lois a cup of tea, then turned to Rokk.
"So what's the plan, Rokk? Are we sending Lois back tonight? Imra asked settling herself on the sofa.
Garth's ever present smile slipped from his face at the thought of sending Lois back so soon. "Ah man, I didn't even get to really talk to her!"
"Yea, and that's probably for the best," jabbed Rokk. "However, I think we should discuss exactly what we're going to do a little longer. Lois looks tired why don't we let her get some sleep, while we dig up some more info on the events in 2009."
"Nice! Here Lois I'll show you to your room." Garth grabbed her arm and started taking her toward the bedrooms. Lois tried to contest that she wasn't tired but before she could get the words out she was already halfway down the hall.
Present Day
Rounding on Tess, Clark yelled. "Where is it?"
Clark was furious, he had never been so angry in his life. At that moment, he had nothing to lose.
Clark grabbed Tess by the shoulders slamming her against a wall. "Where is the ring?" He pulled her away only to slam her back again with even more force. He didn't care when he heard her cry out, or when her head hit the wall, with a crack. "Where is it?!" he yelled.
The lesson about the blackest forms of humanity re-emerged in his mind. Oliver had said that some people weren't worth saving, that saving those people would only lead to the destruction of others, of innocents. In that moment Clark couldn't think of any example more fitting to Oliver's words than Tess.
All that Tess had done flashed through Clark's mind. Lana, Davis, the Injustice League, the Phantom Zone Crystal; Tess had a hand in it all. She wasn't however going to keep him from turning back time to save Jimmy and Lois. If she didn't tell him where she had the ring, he was going to do what he was sure even Oliver, with all his posturing, would never be able to do.
"Clark, what ring? I don't have any ring! I didn't even know what was in the box; it was empty when I found it!" Tess yelled through gritted teeth. There were tears welling in her eyes but he'd doubt she'd ever let them fall.
"Like I believe that!" Clark growled giving Tess a violent shake.
"It's true; I came here to confront Lois. We got into a fight, she knocked me out and when I came to the box was there lying on the ground empty."
"You got in a fight with Lois the night of the attack?" Clark loosened his grip ever so slightly wondering where this was going.
"Yes. And like I said the ring was gone when I woke up and so was Lois!"