Chapter 47

It was a large house, hidden away in the mountains and forests. Secluded. Isolated. Being March spring had slowly begun its warming effects upon nature. In the grounds over a dozen young women sparred, training as if it was real.

The Female Furies.

Watching over them Granny Goodness assessed their readiness. She had been the trainer of Darkseid's Elite fighting force for longer than any mortal could possibly comprehend.

This is where they had retreated to after Desaad's failure only a scant few days ago. Now technically her girls could go rescue him from the authorities…but why would she want to do that?

It was his failure. Let him deal with the consequences. As far as Granny is concerned he can rot until such time as Darkseid decides otherwise…and her Lord hadn't ordered her to retrieve him so rot it is.

Granny can see from the combat that Barda and Lashina are still as much rivals as they ever were as they try and outdo the other to gain her favour.

Her girls had performed…adequately when capturing the girl. However, the ease with which the Kryptonian had escaped them shows that enhancing their bodies with exposure to the meteors was insufficient. More was required.

Having seen enough Granny turns and enters the house. She heads East as that entire wing had been transformed for conducting the medical experiments that were required. She passes one room where a large, brutish man was tossing around the security trying to subdue him.

"Hands off me, insects! I'll turn you into paste!"

Granny rolls her eyes. Even trapped in a human form Kalibak was still an oafish, brutish, thug. It still astonishes her to this day that he is an actual son of Darkseid. It was that fact that had made him fairly easy to locate. Just had to look up criminal records. Still there were many more lost lambs of Apokolips to find.

Granny reaches a laboratory and instantly senses the presence of her Lord. Now what is here that is important enough to catch His interest.

"Granny."

"My Lord."

"Come. See what Bedlam has been working on."

Bedlam. Now there's a name Granny has not heard in a very long time. She had not been aware until right now that Darkseid had found the master scientist of Apokolips. She looks at the dark haired man that houses Bedlam's spirit.

"It's the blood of the girl," Bedlam explains as he brings up a holographic image of the twisting strands of DNA. For this primitive world this was advanced technology. "I took some samples from Bernadeth's knife."

Granny looks and wonders what she is supposed to see.

Bedlam then taps on a keyboard and highlights parts of the DNA in two different colours. "She's a hybrid. This part is human," he points at one part of the image. "This part…now this part is very interesting. It belongs to a much more advanced being. Considering the symbol she wears on her costume I'm going to assume Kryptonian."

Granny arches an eyebrow. "With all due respect to our Lord, is there a point we're getting to, Bedlam?" she queries, now beginning to lose her patience.

"Kryptonians and Apokoliptians are not that dissimilar. If I can understand how this girl's human and Kryptonian genes combine I believe I can engineer a way to graft our original DNA onto these frail human forms. It would effectively restore us to our original selves."

Granny's interest is officially peaked. "And how would you go about understanding how to do this?"

"I need more samples of the girl. Preferably a full dissection."

"My girls captured her once. They can do it again…only this time without Desaad's incompetence getting in the way," the twisted old woman boasts.

"This must be done soon. Apokolips is on its way here."

Granny thinks back with fond nostalgic memories. It has been so long since she last set foot on Apokolips. Smelled its air. Felt the heat of the fire pits upon her skin.

"This world will succumb to me," Darkseid declares. "Its people are the raw material through which our Dominion shall be restored. New Genesis will fall. The universe will fall and I shall reign supreme for all eternity."

Fortress of Solitude…

Clark arrives at the Kryptonian construct in the far north. The place that had become more Mia's home than the farm these last few weeks. Only unlike last time he wasn't looking for her. He had been summoned by Jor-El. He had a strange feeling about why and what this was about. As he enters the heart of the Fortress he finds Mia in civilian clothes floating in mid-air, cross-legged, mediating but she is not alone. "John," he greets the Martian, currently in his human form.

"Kal-El," J'onn greets him back.

"Someone care to tell me what is going on?" the dark haired hero asks, sounding a little bit irritated.

J'onn looks up at Mia. Clark looks up at her as well.

Mia opens her eyes and lowers herself to the ground. "It started with Desaad. You remember I said he tried a psychic attack on me?"

"Yes."

"I couldn't remember what happened clearly. Not at first but over the last few days it's been coming back to me. When he tried to probe my mind my whole life flashed in front of my eyes only it wasn't one version of my life it was two. Two different sets of memories all jumbled and incoherent…and it's getting worse."

"Worse?" Clark asks with real concern.

"When I woke up that first morning I did feel better but that next night, after you left to see Mamá it started up again. The two sets of memories…it's like they're fighting each other and my old ones are losing. The new memories are intruding more and more. When I sleep all I can see are parts of my life changing. It feels like I'm losing parts of myself."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Clark asks, his concern bleeding through his voice strongly.

"I didn't want to worry you," Mia explains why she hasn't said anything before now. "At least not until I knew for certain what was happening."

"Which is why you're here I'm guessing," Clark says to J'onn.

The Martian nods. "I've been examining her mind. It's nothing like I've ever seen before. A new set of memories is blooming, forming, solidifying. Memories as real as her original. As if her life is being rewritten."

Something twigs in Clark's mind. "This is something to do with her travelling back in time isn't it."

"Possibly," J'onn says, uncertain.

"Can you help her?" Clark asks.

"I can hold back the new memories for awhile but if this is her life literally rewriting itself, which I believe is what you're thinking, then I can only delay it."

"I'm no expert on time travel but I did begin to wonder what would happen to you as you changed your own past," Clark says to his daughter.

Mia laughs pathetically. "I never thought about it. Stupid right? I was so desperate to fix my broken, screwed up life I never gave the consequences a thought."

Clark moves forward and places his hands on her shoulders. "Oh Mia," he says in loving, sympathetic tones. "I wish so much that the me from your timeline knew about you. Had been there for you. And please, you didn't screw up your life. Mistakes are made. We all make them. And I don't know precisely what is happening to you but don't give in to fear, ok? I know someone to ask about this."

"Who?"

"Someone I've been trying to ignore," he says somewhat cryptically before turning to J'onn. "Do what you can. I'll be back shortly," he requests before he zips away from the Fortress out into the snow and ice beyond. He speaks to the air. "Alright, Brainiac. I know you're there."

"Technically speaking I am nowhere. Outside of time," the Kryptonian AI responds as he appears.

"Tell me what is happening," Clark demands to know.

"You quite accurately surmised what is transpiring, Kal-El. Cir-El has altered her own past and the changes are catching up to her."

"I've changed the past. That never happened to me," Clark argues.

"Small changes of only a day or so. Nothing that drastically altered your own history," Brainiac explains it away.

"What can I do?"

"What I told you to do but refused to. Send Cir-El home before the changes set permanently and I cannot correct this aberration."

Clark's expression soon turns to one of extreme agitation, bordering on the angry. "You mean let you erase the knowledge of my own daughter. Forget it."

"Kal-El," Brainiac is about to argue but is cut off.

"No! You've said you understand what you're asking but you don't. You can't."

"You cannot prevent what is happening any other way. Cir-El's timeline is reordering itself. It has only taken this long because she is at the heart of the paradox. The eye of the storm."

"You still don't know what you are asking. She is my daughter. I love her more than words can ever convey."

"I have told you what must be done. More than once. Embrace who you are meant to be. That man would sacrifice his own personal happiness for what is right."

"What is right in your opinion. You are arguing that only your version of history is the valid one."

"You are letting your emotions cloud your judgement," Brainiac chastises.

"How many weeks has it been and yet you still have nothing new to say. Is it any wonder I chose to ignore you," Clark argues back before turning back to the Fortress.

"So what did you learn?" J'onn asks upon Clark's return.

"Nothing helpful. It is history catching up to the changes. My friend's," he uses the word loosely, "only advise is that Mia has to return back to her own time."

"He's right," Mia pipes up.

Clark looks at her intently.

"Papá," she says his name softly. "We both knew I'd have to leave one day," she says with a touch of sadness.

Clark finds himself filled with rising emotions. "I know," he says with equal sadness.

"And it's not just because of what is happening to my mind. I can't stay here. Not now that I know who and what we are dealing with. Abuelo was correct before. The Darkness…Darkseid cannot be allowed to gain my knowledge. If they had managed to get my bracelets off…" she trails off, not wanting to even think about it.

Clark's interest is peaked. "You know what it is?"

Mia flinches in pain, touching her head. "Yes. Sorta."

"Sorta?"

"They're…different in my time. I don't know how."

"Who are they?"

"Gods."

"Gods?" Clark asks, perplexed.

Mia nods. "New Gods from a world called Apokolips."

"No, no, no. They're human," Clark argues in denial of his daughter's claim. "I mean, yeah they have powers but I would notice if they weren't human."

"In this time, yes, they're human. In my time…I must confess to not being the best student when reading up on the files of all the villains so I don't know what happens but they must restore their true forms or something. Papá, I can't help you defeat them," she says with regret. "Perhaps that is another reason why I should leave."

Clark pulls her into a hug which she returns, snuggling into his chest. He looks at J'onn. "How long?" he asks about her memories.

"A few more days. I've done all I can to stabilise her."

Clark nods in sad acceptance.

Mia sniffles. "If I only have a few days then I have a request."

"Anything, my little sunshine."

"I don't know what I'll return to. Whether you and Mamá will be alive or dead so I want to do a few things together as a family before I go. I have a list."

Clark watches her fish out a list from her pocket and hand it over. It was quite a lengthy list. "Well that's a lot to fit into only a few days but we can give it a shot," he promises, trying not to disappoint her. "I guess we should go see your mother, eh?"

Mia grins.

Coast City…

Father and daughter made their way to the Californian city and drop in unannounced on Andrea…at her work in a coffee shop. Unsurprisingly she didn't appreciate that. She barely makes ends meet as it is and if she loses this job she may have to end up taking Penny's suggestion of getting a job at the Cheesecake Factory.

Then, during her break, they explained the situation. Mia had to go back to the future in a few days and wanted to do some things as a family. She even had a list. A really long list. "When did you have the time to draw this up?" the Latino woman asks her daughter.

"Well, I did kinda start it when I was 7," she says, a little embarrassed. It has been one of her coping mechanisms for her grief to imagine what if.

Andrea looks at her daughter's shy, embarrassed look and makes a decision. "Ok. We'll do this. I just have to do something first," she declares as she marches back into the coffee shop.

Both Clark and Mia watch and listen on and both their eyebrows rise up as their faces adopt near identical expressions of surprise.

"Did…did she just quit her job?" Mia asks.

Clark nods slowly. "Yep," he confirms as he pushes his new glasses back up in his nose in what will soon be a habitual routine.

Andrea walks out a few moment later and lets out a breath. "You want a truth. I hated that job."

"Then why did you do it?" Mia wonders.

"You, my little Angel, are not cheap on the upkeep."

"Then why did you just quit?"

"Because you need me," Andrea replies simply.

At that Mia throws herself into her mother's arms. "Te amo."

"Yo también te amo."

"But what will you do now, for money?" Mia asks.

Andrea sighs. "Penny is always saying she can get me a job at the Cheesecake Factory."

"And I'll help in the meantime," Clark pitches in.

"Clark, we've talked about this. I don't need charity," Andrea reminds him of conversations they have had, her need to be independent and self-sufficient coming to the fore.

"It's not. It's me living up to my responsibilities and looking after my daughter…but if it bothers you that much we can call it a loan and you can pay me back once you get another job."

"Fine. But I will pay you back," the older brunette insists.

"Fine," Clark agrees.

"So, we're really doing this?" Mia asks, wanting to be sure.

"We are," Andrea confirms.

Mia breaks out into a huge grin and fist pumps the air. "Schway!"

"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret this?" the older woman asks the tall male.

"Because you will," Clark says, his expression of someone laughing on the inside. "Check out number 14 on the list."

Andrea reaches out and Mia gives her the bit of paper with the list. She scans down to number 14 and begins shaking her head. "Oh hell no. No. No way. I am not doing it," she refuses point blank.

"But Mamá," Mia pleads, even making her lower lip wobble.

"No Mia. There is nothing on this Earth that can get me to sing karaoke."

Ace of Clubs, Metropolis…

#Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?

Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed
Late at night, I toss and I turn
And I dream of what I need

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight#

"Wooo!" Mia whoops as she stands and applauds her mother up on the stage. It was day 2 of her 'bucket list'. It had taken that long to wear her mother down to actually sing karaoke.

Clark chuckles at his daughter's enthusiasm. If this was the last few days seeing this version of her for at least the next 20 years he had decided to just embrace the madness. To find the time for all of it he had roped Tess into giving him time off and dropped off 4-year old Mia with his mother. After explaining what was happening she readily agreed. Besides it wasn't like she would turn down spending time with her granddaughter.

Moving his attention off his daughter to his daughter's mother, Clark can't help but feel a swell of deep emotion as he watches her sing. He knows she's incredibly uncomfortable doing this but is doing it anyway out of love for Mia. She's looks so beautiful, with her hair loose and swaying around her. It only makes him reflect more how he wishes they were more but those are thoughts for another day. Tonight is all about Mia.

Once Andrea finishes her song she returns to the table and refreshes herself with a drink. "I can't believe I agreed to that," she complains.

"Why not? You were mega-schway!" Mia cheers in enthusiastic support.

"You were very good," Clark agrees.

Andrea's expression clearly shows she does not agree. "Why did you pick that song?" she asks her daughter…which was her other mistake. Letting Mia choose the song.

Mia's face adopts a cheeky grin. "Hmm, let me see. How does that song go again? Something about tossing and turning at night because you need a hero," she says suggestively, waggling her eyebrows as she looks in Clark's direction.

"Ay Dios mio. Really?" the older Rojas asks in disbelief.

Clark, meanwhile, laughs.

"You find this funny?"

"She's not exactly ever been subtle about what she wants us to do."

"I guess not."

"Ooh, we should do a song together as a family!" Mia expresses a sudden idea she had.

"I'm game if you're game," Clark agrees in his vein of just accepting the madness.

Andrea groans. "You two are far too much alike," she grumbles, wondering where her genes vanished to. "And I'm going to need something far stronger to drink to get through the night."

Coast City…

Day 3 was going to be the last day of Mia's time in the past. She had woken up with a stonking headache and it was not the alcohol she drank last night. The pressure on her mind by her history being rewritten was growing and there was no more J'onn could do. That being the case Mia had given up any attempt to get through all the remaining items on her list for one last thing she felt she needed to do. It was something her mother was having a hard time wrapping her mind around.

"You want to what?" Andrea asks for the third time as the trio sit in her apartment. She asks it as if unable to believe her own ears.

"Tell Aunt Penny," Mia repeats for the third time.

"That's what I thought you said," the older woman says, still somewhat in disbelief.

"Remember, you told her about yourself in my timeline," Mia reminds her mother of what she told her.

Andrea rubs her head before looking at the third person in the room. "Do you have anything to say?"

Clark's expression is contemplative. "I want to hear her reasoning first."

"Ok," Andrea agrees with that, turning back to her daughter. "Can you explain why?"

Mia's brow furrows, then she winces slightly and rubs her head.

"Are you ok?"

"Headache…and this is why I want to tell her. My life…I've changed it. In one sense it is what I wanted to do but it was not without regret. Especially when it came to Aunt Penny. I love Aunt Penny. She looked after me when I had literally no-one else. I don't know what sort of world I'll return to."

"Or if the Penny of that world will even know anything about you," Clark fills in, now able to follow his daughter's thinking.

"Yes. That's it," Mia confirms, her voice almost trembling with pent-up emotion. "In case I can't thank the Penny I meet when I go home I want to thank this one."

Andrea is having some conflicting emotions about this one. She can tell this is important to her daughter but she has reservations. In some way the only thing that keeps loved ones safe is anonymity. The fact no-one knows they live another life…although clearly that affects Clark far more than her which could be why she looks in his direction, her expression questioning what the response should be.

"Mia," Clark begins as he chooses his response carefully. "I understand why you trust Penny as much as you do and why would want to do this, because to you she's family but more than just the safety of myself, your mother, your Mini-Me you must remember the burden you are asking Penny to carry. I know from the experience of my friends just how difficult it can be. It drove my first friend, Pete, away and I struggle to know who the hell Chloe is these days. I do know sharing my secret cost her far too much," he says, still weighed down by guilt over the hardships Chloe endured because of him…and don't even get him started on Lana's fate.

Mia's brow furrows deeply. She knows about cost. She thinks that's why Aunt Penny never got married. She sacrificed her chances at happiness to raise Mia.

"Look, sweetheart," Andrea says to her daughter. "If this is that important to you I'll support you but your father is right. This has costs. Just…take a little time to mull that over first."

"Alright," Mia agrees. That was, at least, fair enough.

Author's Note: So we are reaching the end of Mia's time in the past. She was never going to stay until the end. The finale is Clark's moment of revealing himself to the world properly. Masquerade felt like a good moment where the fact Mia came dangerously close to getting possessed makes her realise it is too dangerous for her to remain any longer. That being the case she just has a few last requests to wrap up before she departs. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews.