Sorry, I know this chapter is short and choppy, but it kind of ties up loose ends and gets the story moving forward. Hope you like it, please review.
"Mallory, Conner, how was Smallville?" Megan asked when Conner, Mallory, and Kara appeared in the cave following their trip.
"It was good," Mallory replied, smiling.
"Where's the rest of the team?" Conner asked, looking around the unusually quiet cave.
"Oh, most of them are in their cities, Zatanna and Robin are on a date." Sandy, Brek, and Brainy came out of Mallory's training room and Brek's face broke into a smile.
"Mal, I didn't think you'd be back until later," he said. Mallory gave him a hug and a kiss.
"Yeah, we didn't think so either. Turns out, there's a zeta tube a lot closer to his place than he originally let on," she said, shaking her head when she remembered the grueling bus trip Clark had made them endure.
Kara chuckled. "Hey, it's only fair you two rode the bus at least once. It's practically our family initiation."
Mallory rolled her eyes and laced her fingers through Brek's. "Can we go to a movie tonight? I really just want to relax," Mallory said, looking up at him.
He shrugged. "Sure, whatever you want." The two of them went towards the garage, and Kara stared after them, her face conflicted as she tried to decide whether to have another talk with Polar boy, or let it go.
Three weeks later, Brainy called the Legionaires to his room for a meeting. "We have three more weeks before the Time Trapper shows up in this time. We need to start making preparations." He looked at Brek pointedly, adding, "We'll need to leave as soon as the mission is completed."
Brek looked away, feeling torn. He had grown so used to this time period, he didn't want to leave it. Truth be told, he didn't want anything to do with the mission anymore, but his sense of duty and loyalty to his teammates kept him from saying as much.
"What do we need to do?" Sandy asked.
"I have not been able to pinpoint the exact location of his arrival, but I have narrowed it down to the general vicinity of the Daily Planet building. We'll need to go to Metropolis and start looking for likely locations. After that, we'll need to train, be sure that we are ready for him when he comes." He looked at Kara and added, "Unless you've decided against our plan."
Kara shook her head firmly. "No, we have to do this. I have to do it. We'll go to Metropolis this afternoon, I know a few secluded spots he could open a portal in and no one would be around to notice."
Brainy nodded. "Then that's it. We'll leave the cave while the team is training, that way we won't have anyone asking questions."
Sandy and Kara left, and Brek was about to follow them when Brainy stood. "Polar Boy, wait," he said, and Brek sighed and turned around.
"What?" he asked.
"I just want to make sure that you're still committed to the Legion and the mission. With what we're going to do, we all need to be in 100%."
Brek nodded. "I am," he assured his teammate.
Brainy tilted his head. "Even though you've gotten attached to the team, and Inferno?" he asked.
Brek's face hardened. "When the time comes, I'll do my part," he said.
Brainy nodded thoughtfully. "You said once that you might stay behind. Of course, you know that isn't an option. Not with our mission. Are you sure you're going to be able to go back to the future with us?"
Brek stared at him for a moment, then stalked out the room, leaving Brainy shaking his head.
A few days later, Mallory and Brek were sparring in the training room. She'd noticed that he'd been growing distant over the past few days, but she hadn't wanted to press him. Now, she knew his head wasn't in the fight, and he was mostly blocking instead of returning the blows. Finally, she got tired of it and dropped to the floor, kicking his legs out from under him in one swift motion. He fell to the floor with a surprised yelp and a thud.
"Anyone could have avoided that kick," Mallory said, helping him to his feet. "What's with you lately?"
"Nothing, I'm fine," he replied, then he backed up a step and held up his hands. "Go again?"
Mallory crossed her arms. "You told me you wouldn't push me away again," she reminded him.
He sighed and lowered his arms to his side, looking defeated. "It's not you, it's my team."
"You want to talk about it?" she asked.
Brek shook his head. "Believe me, I wish I could," he replied.
Mallory stepped closer. "Is it that you're going to be leaving soon?" she asked quietly.
He sighed. "Yeah, well, that's part of it. Oh, hero, I wish I could stay," he muttered.
Mallory's heart quickened, and she looked up at him, trying to push down the hope rising in her. "Why can't you?" she asked.
Brek shrugged. "I‒I just can't," he said, looking away. "Wish you could come with us," he said, almost too quietly for her to hear.
Mallory looked away, taking a step back. "You say it like it's not an option," she said.
Brek looked at her, an unreadable expression on his face, then he shook his head. "It's not," he said simply. He sighed and started for the zeta tube. "I need to think through some things. I'll see you later."
Mallory sighed and watched the light take him away. She needed to think through some things, too.
Please review! It's been so long since I got one, and I could use a pick-me-up right now with finals coming up.