Halliwell Manor, a few days later
Morning
"Thank you for doing this Clark," Phoebe said as Clark walked back into the room, having cleaned up after repairing the walls that were damaged in his fight with Darkseid.
"It was the least I could do after I broke two walls. And my dad did used to call me a one man construction crew," Clark said with a shrug.
"From the world's savior to a handyman. There's a joke in there somehow," Piper said and Clark merely smiled.
"Seriously though, how are you going to hide your secret identity when you're going there for everyone to see now?" Phoebe wondered.
"I have an idea about that. But I'm more worried about you three. Sheridan saw you use your powers and so did Darryl's kids," Clark pointed out.
"Darryl and Paige are trying to handle that now," Piper said, hoping that the pair could handle it.
Morris home
Same time
"So you understand why you can't tell anyone about what you saw?" Paige said, kneeling down in front of Mikey and Darryl Junior.
"Because the bad people will come after you and Aunt Piper and Aunt Phoebe if anyone finds out," Mikey said.
"That's right. So my life is in your hands. You can't ever tell another living soul. Not even your friends, okay?" Paige told them.
"You can count on us," Darryl Junior said with such seriousness that Paige couldn't help but smile.
"I know I can. Now would you mind giving your mom and me a minute? We need to talk about boring, adult stuff," Paige asked, ruffling their hair slightly.
Paige and Shelia left the boys in the living room, where they started watching cartoons, and headed into the kitchen.
"They're good kids," Paige mentioned to Shelia and she laughed.
"They take after their father," Shelia said lovingly.
Paige nodded, hoping Darryl was having similar success.
San Francisco Police Department
Same time
Sheridan was at her desk when she heard someone walk over. Looking up, she was surprised to see it was Darryl.
"Thought you were taking some time off," she noted.
"I was. Then the world went to Hell," Darryl said and she nodded, understanding.
"You came to make sure I wouldn't talk," Sheridan said with a humorless laugh. "At least you're consistent."
"Piper saved your life. Now you know they're not murders, they're trying to save people's lives," Darryl argued.
"So how'd I end up losing my memory?" Sheridan demanded.
"That was the work of Kyle Brody, who was obsessed with magic and wanted to get close to the sisters. Phoebe is the one who helped find you, despite knowing you were trying to expose them," Darryl pointed out and part of him was pleased to see her look uncomfortable. "Look, you saw what happened a few days ago. There was no rational explanation for it. Stuff like that happens all the time, you just don't see it. They do. And they've sacrificed a lot to make sure we stay safe. They're not the enemy Sheridan. Don't treat them like they are."
Darryl then walked off, leaving Sheridan deep in thought.
Kent Farm
Afternoon
"So, you think she'll keep quiet?" Clark inquired as he and Paige talked over dinner.
"Darryl thinks so, but who knows. Guess only time will tell. I'm more worried about what you. You're going back to work tomorrow and people are gonna notice if Superman is working with them," Paige pointed out.
"Superman?" Clark inquired and she waved him off.
"It's what the media's calling you. But seriously, what are you gonna?" Paige asked, confused when Clark smiled.
"I need a mask, but I don't want to deny who I am while I'm out there doing what I'm born to do. Clark Kent is who I am, Superman, the Blur, whatever you want to call me, is what I do. You remember what Wyatt said when he first saw me? Future Wyatt I mean," Clark said and Paige thought back.
"He said he barely recognized you without the glasses and nerd clothes," Paige remembered and Clark nodded.
"I really didn't get it until Andrea showed up, but the answer has been staring me right in the face," Clark said before pulling out a pair of glasses. "Clark Kent will be the mask."
"I'm not sure that's gonna work. I mean, how's a pair of glasses gonna help?" Paige wondered.
"Remember what Andrea said about no one suspecting a receptionist of being a vigilante? No one looks twice at her because she's so normal, she passes by undetected," Clark said, putting on the glasses. "I have to do the same thing."
"So, Clark Kent becomes a mild mannered reporter and no one suspects that he's secretly a superhero. Not bad…with some adjustments," Paige said and Clark raised an eyebrow.
"Adjustments?"
"Well no offense Clark, but being a hero comes second nature to you by now. And your taste in clothes…you dress like a himbo but you make it work," Paige said and Clark smiled dryly.
"I will try not to take that personally," Clark said amused.
"See, that right there. Talk a little less confident, a bit more bumbling. Try to be a little clumsy, knock something over once in a while. And try to dress like a dork," Paige said and Clark blinked.
"Did you just come up with that?"
"I read a lot of Spider-Man comics as a kid. But that's not important. We need to get you a new look," Paige said with a grin.
Halliwell Manor, next day
Morning
"You think he'll keep quiet about what she knows?" Leo asked as he, the Halliwells and Darryl sat in the living room, discussing Sheridan.
"I think so. She's not a bad person and, now that she knows you're on her side, I think she'll be a lot less determined to go after you. I'm hoping she might become an ally, I think you guys are gonna need someone in the department when I'm gone," Darryl said, startling them.
"Gone, what do you mean by gone?" Paige asked in confusion and Darryl was silent for a long moment.
"Shelia and I have been talking. After everything that happened, we need a fresh start. Somewhere else, somewhere away from magic," Darryl explained.
"Away from us," Phoebe realized.
"Really has nothing to do with you. It's just what we think is best for our family. Try to understand, this isn't about you guys," Darryl said.
"We get it. We don't like it, but we get it," Piper said with a sigh. "You didn't ask for this anymore than we did. We can't walk away from this, no matter how much we may want to at times. But you still can."
"Take care of your family. And...don't be a stranger now," Paige said, all of them feeling emotional as Darryl smiled sadly.
"I may be leaving the fight, but I'm not leaving you guys. Whether I'm in the city or halfway across the world, we will always be friends," Darryl promised with a slight smile.
Daily Planet
Same time
Tess was doing some paperwork when the door to her office opened.
"Cat said you wanted to see me," Clark said as he closed the door behind.
"Yeah, I - wow!" Tess exclaimed as she looked up, seeing Clark's get up.
"I know, it feels a bit much to me," Clark said as he looked down at himself.
"No, it's perfect. I doubt anyone will expect Superman to be dressed like that," Tess said as she looked him up and down, eying the large jacket and stupid tie. "Paige really went all out."
"She does that. But I doubt you wanted to see me to critique my fashion choices," Clark noted and Tess nodded.
"No, I wanted to talk to you about the Daily Planet," Tess said and Clark raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to be stepping back a bit from it, focus more on Watchtower and running LuthorCorp."
"Makes sense. Why are you telling me this though?" Clark wondered, confused when Tess smiled.
"Well, I thought you'd like to meet the new Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Planet," Tess said and someone knocked on the door. "That must be him now. You can come in!"
"Great Caesar's Ghost!"
At the sound of the voice, Clark whirled around, staring in shock at Perry White walking into the office, looking at him in disbelief.
"That you Kent?" Perry asked and Clark found his voice.
"Yes Mr. White. I had an accident in the attack; I need these glasses now," Clark explained, moving to shake Perry's hand when he 'tripped' and Perry needed to steady him. "Thanks, sorry about that."
"Not a problem Kent," Perry said as they released each other. "Good to see you again."
"You too. Is, uh, Lois here?" Clark asked awkwardly, not sure whether he was hoping she was or not.
"No. Once our story in Egypt wrapped up, she got another offer, she's heading to Africa, she'll be back in about six months, maybe a year," Perry said and Clark nodded. "That reminds me."
Perry reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out an envelope with the word 'Clark' written on it in very familiar handwriting.
"She wanted to make sure this got you when I told her I was heading back," Perry said as he handed the envelope to Clark. "Lois was very insistent that I personally deliver this to you."
Clark nodded silently as he looked down at it with a mix of emotions.
Later, at his desk, Clark was looking down at the letter before opening it. With a shaky breath, Clark reached inside, pulling out the folded piece of paper before opening it. Setting down the envelope, Clark began to read.
"Dear Clark,
If Perry's done his job right, you should get this when you learn he'll be your new boss. Kind of wish I could see your face when he walks through the door.
I'm sorry that I left the way I did. But I knew if I came to say goodbye, I would never be able to leave. You'd say all the right things and I'd stay. And I couldn't stay Clark, because I'd have been holding you back.
I know Clark. I know your secret; I knew it the second you kissed me. And the moment I heard about this 'Superman' taking to the skies, I knew you'd become the hero you were always meant to be. I wish I could have been there with you.
But I hear you have someone else there with you now, someone who stands by your side in a way that I didn't. Maybe if I'd been braver, that would be me standing there with you. But I made my own choices, and you fell in love with someone else.
I love you Clark, I think I always will. And I'm sure there's a part of you that will always love me. The General told me once 'sometimes, life takes people in two very different directions'. That's what happened to us. Maybe in another life, we were meant to be. But in this one, we went down two very different paths.
I know you're going to go on to do great things, things that will change the world. You're the best of us Clark, and I'm sure that whoever she is, the person you love now knows how lucky she is to be with you. I know how I felt every day we were together.
But that part of our lives is over. I'll always cherish it, but I have to let it go. To let you go. I hope one day, we can see each other again, be friends again. But for now, it's time for me to say the one thing I was too afraid to say when I left.
Goodbye Clark. Take care.
Lois."
Clark stared at the letter for a long moment after he was finished reading. He expected to feel heartbroken, or devastated. But, in a way, it was like a weight was finally lifted off his shoulders. Knowing Lois knew who he was, it was like that great regret was gone. In a lot of ways, this letter was like a relief. He could finally let go of the most significant relationship of his adult life and move forward. As Lois said, part of him would always love her, but it was time to let go.
Clark then tilted his head to the side, hearing something. After a moment, he pocketed the letter and rose to his feet.
Making his way onto the roof, he walked through the door, seeing Kara standing there, waiting for him.
"I see you took a leaf out of my book," Kara said with a grin.
"It seemed the best way to keep my secret," Clark noted as he closed the door behind him. "What's going on Kara?"
"There's no easy way to say this Kal-El. I'm leaving," Kara said, taking him aback.
"What do you mean leaving?" Clark asked with a sinking feeling.
"Jor-El is sending me off to find my own path. In another place, in another time," Kara explained.
"Kara, you don't have to go," Clark said immediately, trying to think of a way he could talk her out of this.
"I think I do. The world doesn't need Supergirl when it has Superman. I'm not needed here. But maybe in this place, I will be. Clark, ever since I came out of my ship, I've just clung to whatever came along. You, Kandor, Jor-El. But now…now it's time for me to forge my own path," Kara said gently.
"Kara…you're my family. I don't want to lose you," Clark said, his voice thick with emotion.
"And you never will. But you don't need me anymore Kal-El, maybe you never did. I love you, but I have to find my own way," Kara said and Clark was silent for a long moment.
"I wish I could say I didn't understand…but I do. I'll miss you though," Clark said with a choked voice.
"I'll miss you too," Kara said before the cousins shared a loving embrace.
"When do you leave?" Clark asked as they released each other.
"Now," Kara said as she pulled out the Legion Ring.
"The Legion," Clark said in disbelief.
"You know them?" Kara asked in surprise and Clark nodded.
"They're a group of superheroes in the 31st century. If that's where your destiny lies, you'll have some great friends looking out for you," Clark said with an emotional smile.
"If they're friends of yours, then I'm sure I will," Kara said, becoming choked up as she realized this was it. "Goodbye, Kal-El."
The two shared an emotional look before Kara placed the ring on her finger and vanished in a flash of purple light.
"Goodbye, Kara," Clark said emotionally, a tear falling down his cheek.
I'm not entirely proud of Lois's letter to Clark, but I hope I did okay and that it didn't seem OOC.
And that is how Kara should have exited the show. Have a few more scenes with Clark followed by an emotional goodbye before heading off to the 31st century.
Now just an epilogue to wrap everything up. Until then.
