Chapter 4

Two days later

"You ready?" said Clark as he entered Lois' room with a bouquet of flowers.

Lois grinned, "Lilies, my favourite. Thank you Clark." Clark kissed her gently cupping her face. When he released her he held her hand as they went to retrieve their son and check out of the hospital.

"Seems like the Kent's can't get enough of the hospital these days" Emil joked to which Lois laughed, but Clark didn't react, he was stiff as he held on to his son making sure he was safe in his arms, to which Clark even doubted he was.

Lois touched his arm, catching his attention, "Ready to go Clark."

Clark stared back at his wife for a long time, memorizing her face, her features, her beautiful smile, he finally replied, "Yeah, let's go." Lois was confused at his expression, she could tell he was still worried.

As Clark was driving the truck, Lois realized something, "Wait. Where are we going Clark? Did you fix the Kent farm?"

Clark shook his head, "The farm is in the past now Lois. I bought you a nice condo in Metropolis so it's close to work and more convenient to go to Watchtower whenever you need to. We've been talking about this for a while anyways. Might as well do it now since the farm has blown up."

Clark's face was like a frozen forced smile, Lois didn't buy it, but she didn't want to push him either. She understood it must've been a shock to witness what had happened. She swallowed hard, "Did you talk to Lex?"

Clark looked straight ahead, "Yeah."

Lex's office

Clark burst into the room in his regular clothes , watching Lex in rage. He super sped towards Lex that he didn't see it coming. Clark grabbed him by the arms and threw him against a wall, leaving a dent. "How could you Lex? How could you do that! You almost killed my wife! My baby!" Lex simply laughed, Clark continued, "All I want to know is why. What did I ever do to you!"

"What did you do to me? Clark you are my sworn enemy, as Superman. The people of Metropolis may not see it, but I see you for the true alien you are. I needed to destroy the next generation."

"You failed Lex. They're still alive." Replied Clark with rage.

"AND I'LL TRY AGAIN!" Clark stopped at his tracks, ready to shoot fire out of his eyes, "Clark as long as you're around everyone you claim to love will get hurt in the process. Pretty soon Lois will see you for the villain you truly are for pulling her into this twisted double life of yours. Makes you wonder which life you truly gave her. Clark Kent or Superman?" Lex laughed at the manipulative idea he was putting in Clark's head.

Deep down Clark knew he was right, he was always putting Lois in danger, he just didn't know how much until now. "Stay away from my family Lex or I swear to god." Suddenly, Green Arrow had stormed into Luthorcorp, "What are you doing here?" asked Clark.

Green Arrow knocked Lex out with a blow to the head and took out a syringe and injected it into Lex's neck.

"What are you doing?" exclaimed Clark.

Green Arrow stood up to face Clark, "It's a neurotoxin which causes memory loss from the past 96 hours. He won't remember you Clark."

Clark was surprised, "How did you find out about this?"

"Chloe did some research and it turns out Lex himself had created this at Somerholt. You're free Clark. Lois and Chris will be safe now."

Clark sighed, for how long?

"CLARK?" Lois exclaimed trying to catch his attention. Clark turned towards her, Lois squinted at him, "What's the matter? You seem like you're in a different galaxy."

Clark shook his head, "It's nothing" he parked on the side and showed her their new home.

Lois smiled, "It's beautiful Clark, thank you." She kissed him sweetly, but she didn't feel him returning the kiss as much as he usually does. She could tell he was pulling away from her but she didn't want to push it. They all had a long week. She turned to Chris, who was sleeping in the car seat they brought inside with them. She picked him up and rocked him side by side.

Clark arrived at Watchtower a couple days later asking Chloe and Oliver to meet him. "What was so important you needed to talk to us about Clark?" Chloe asked with some uncertainty.

Clark didn't know how to start, this was the second hardest conversation he was going to have, the first hardest is the one he was going to have after this one. Clark sighed and just came out with it, "I'm leaving Metropolis."

Oliver looked confused and took a step towards him, What are you talking about?"

Clark took a deep breath, taking in Chloe's wide eyed expression, "I'm leaving town, I'm going to be Superman full time now. I've found some clues on how I can find the lost city of Kandor and I'm planning on pursuing it... I'm saying I'm not planning on coming back and I need you to be there for Lois. I need you to help her through this. She isn't going to take this easily and she's going to need all the support she needs. I need you to protect her with the rest of the league... I need you to be a father figure to Chris, Oliver." The last part was so hard for Clark to say.

"Clark what the hell are you talking about? Being a father to Chris isn't Ollie's job it's YOURS!" Chloe raised her voice towards Clark at his absurd behaviour.

"I'm doing this for them Chloe. Trust me. After what happened with the explosion. All because Lex found out my secret. There are more like him out there. And this time when I slip up I might not make it in time to save them."

"Clark we've been through this! If that happens again we'll be prepared!" Ollie tried to reason with Clark.

They could tell Clark had made up his mind, they could also tell this isn't what he wanted to do, but he had to, Chloe closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she walked towards Clark and cupped his face, she whispered, "I'll take care of her Clark. We'll take care of Chris for you."

"Chloe!" Oliver couldn't believe what he was hearing, instead of convincing Clark to stay, she was encouraging him.

Chloe turned to Oliver, "He's making the ultimate sacrifice Oliver. He's looking out for Lois. He's made up his mind. The least we can do is do what he wants from us." She turned back to Clark, "Will we be able to contact you?"

Clark shook his head, "It's too dangerous Chloe. They can track me any time. Just please promise me you'll protect my family... I don't know if I'll ever be back." Chloe felt tears stream down her eyes.

Oliver walked towards Clark and gripped his shoulder, looking him straight in the eye, "Promise."

"What the hell is going on?" Clark heard the familiar voice from behind him and turned to see Lois standing at the Watchtower entrance. None of them had any idea how long she was standing there for. "Chloe what's going on?" Lois started walking slowly towards them, eyes wide at what she heard. No one answered her, Lois noticed Chloe's tears, her heart started to race, "What did my husband just say?"

"Lois-" Clark started, Lois looked at him with fury Clark took a step towards her as she held out a hand to keep him away. "Cut the crap Clark! You knew what you were planning on doing from the beginning, ever since the explosion, you planned on abandoning us?"

"It's not that easy Lois." Clark tried to reason but he could tell she wouldn't listen. She started to back away, but he knew if he didn't do this now he would regret it, tears started to form her eyes, he grabbed both her arms to which she tried to fight back trying to break free, hitting him, he held her still and looked back at Chloe and Oliver, nodding them a farewell and sped off with Lois. Chloe and Oliver looked at each other with a look of sadness. Everything was going to change.

Clark had sped off with Lois at the Daily Planet rooftop, he let her go and once he did, she looked him in the eyes and started crying, "How can you do this" she gasped. "Y-you asked me to marry you. And I did. You wanted a family and I gave you a son... and now you want me to watch you just walk away?" she started trembling as she spoke.

Clark sighed with pure sadness in his eyes, he shook his head, "It's not that simple-

"- Then make it simple! Because I'm trying REALLY hard to understand!" she cut in.

"Lois.. if I had a choice in any of this I would choose you. I always have."

"Then choose me now..." she held out her hand for him and stuttered, "And let's go home"

He looked down at her hand hesitating, "Don't you think I want to."

She raised her eyebrows, shaking her head, "I don't know.. and that's what scares me the most."

Clark took bother her hands in his, "You know people were wrong about us. They didn't think our love could survive but it did. Our love has blessed us in ways we couldn't even imagine. It gave you the strength that you needed to be an amazing reporter and be my side as a hero, it produced a baby with a greater future than any of us and it made me a-" He stopped, unable to say it, it seemed like a poisoned word in their relationship now.

Lois looked up at him with tearful eyes and finished his sentence, "A Superman."

"I didn't think fulfilling my destiny was possible. But yet here I am because of you. You will always be with me Lois. I'm just not willing to put you or our son at risk any longer. The last time was just too much for me to bear. I'm doing this for you honey."

Lois shook her head, closing her eyes ready to break down, "I-I can't just give you up... I don't know how.."

"You can't fight this... not this." Clark knew he was going to regret this moment forever but it was something he needed to do... for them.

Lois started to sob and took a deep breath, "How am I supposed to move on?"

Clark squeezed her hands, "You have Chloe, and Oliver."

Lois shook her head in disbelief, "It's not the same.." He looked down, Lois swallowed hard and couldn't look him in the eye again, "Will I ever see you again?"

Clark's heart broke at that moment and whispered in the most honesty, "I don't know..." Lois squeezed her eyes shut and sobbed letting the tears stream down her face. This was it, this was the moment she had to say goodbye to the love of her life, forever, and couldn't stop him. He continued, "I'll always be watching over you."

Lois broke out a sob, "But you won't be there for Chris." The tears kept streaming down her face when Clark felt his own tears stream down his. "Y-you're gonna miss so much..."

"I will never leave Chris' side. He will always feel my presence.. It's not the same as human love. He needs you for that."

Lois looked up at him, and gave a very faint smile, "He's got me... and I hope that that's enough" her sobs broke into her throat, she continued, "But what if it's not?"

Clark sighed, he couldn't stand seeing her this way, "You know I can take your pain away."

Lois shook her head, "You can't make me forget you."

"I can help you find peace Lois." He pulled her into a hug, Lois held on to him for dear life, not wanting to let go of him. He kissed her forehead, "I love you."

Clark super sped away from her and that was the last she saw of him. She wrapped her arms around herself, crying by herself on the rooftop of the Daily Planet.

Clark arrived at the condo where Chloe was, she turned to Clark, "I relieved the sitter. Now he needs his aunt more than ever." She kissed Chris' forehead, as she handed him to his father. Clark held on to Chris and never wanted to let go. Chloe looked at him, "How's Lois."

Clark was looking at his son the whole time, memorizing his whole face, laugh, cry, "She's going to need all the support she needs Chloe."

Chloe nodded, "And she'll get that. You can count on it."

Clark sniffed Chris' head and memorized his scent. He kissed him goodnight, "I love you Chris. Daddy will always be here for you."

Chloe blinked, "Are you sure about this?"

Clark nodded and handed his son to his aunt. "I have to go... Bye Chloe"

"Goodbye Clark." Chloe started to get tears in her eyes as she saw her best friend fly off. She turned her attention to Chris, "Say goodbye to daddy, Chris."

Clark arrived at the Fortress, "Jor-El!"

The Fortress started to glow, "Hello Kal-El."

"I need you to do something for me."

Jor-El took a moment to answer, "You have left your family Kal-El. That is quite the sacrifice you're making. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Clark sighed, "It's not something I want it's something I need to do. Lois isn't taking it well. I can tell. I need you to take her distraught away."

"You want me to remove her feelings?"

"No. Not her feelings. I need her to be the mother I know her to be to Chris and I know she can't do that if the memories of being with me are clouding her judgment. I need you to take away her emotions for my departure. I need you to take away her pain. She deserves to be happy."

Jor-El paused, "And so happiness she'll get. It's done."

Clark sighed, "Thank you."

"I hope you find what you're looking for my son. But I assure you, you won't stay away for long. This isn't your destiny."

Clark shook his head, "I don't know about that, the world would be a better place if I just stayed a hero and leave my human side behind. It's caused enough damage. And as for my destiny, I need to create a new one. It's what's best for everyone. Trust me. Goodbye Jor-El." Clark flew away.

"Goodbye, my son." With that, Clark flew off to his new unknown destiny, tears welled up in his eyes as he heard his sons cries from afar and Chloe's shushing sounds.