Summers

Epilogue: There Was a Boy

Looking back as an adult, Clark traced the root of his career to that essay contest for the Daily Planet. He'd never felt so much personal satisfaction in his work, not only because the Planet deemed his work printable but also because he received so much feedback from readers about how the essay spoke to them. Some were farmers who felt the same bullying techniques, some were city-dwellers aghast at the same. People admitted writing to their representatives with concern. Also thanks to the contest, Tamonson backed off from their lawsuit and the deal. Despite his powers, Clark had never felt truly helpful until then.

Funny too how life worked out. Here he was, one of the Daily Planet's star reporters with his partner, Lois Joanne Lane. And if she had stunned him in high school, those feelings were nothing compared to the way she bowled him over every morning when he woke up and realised he held her in his arms. He smiled at her now as she sat on the passenger seat of their rental.

"Stop that," she said without looking up from her laptop.

"What?"

"That."

"That what?"

"That *look.**" Lois glanced at Perry's office which was, thankfully, closed. "Unless you've actually figured out a way for us to romp in the hayloft without traumatising the cows."

"Lois!"

She winked.

"So, what've you got on the Superhero Registration Act?" he asked her.

"Aside from the fact that Iron Man and Captain America are having the worst break-up ever? I think Stark's in over his head making a deal with Luthor, Batman's lending a hand to the real Avengers, and Mary-Jane Watson's career is going to sky rocket from all this press. I can smell Cat creaming herself with the celeb gossip all the way here."

Clark made a face.

"What? I can!" She sniffed the in demonstration. "Bleuch!"

"Do you think our guest will show up?" he said to change the subject.

"Barring a crisis, yeah." Lois squeezed his hand. "And Scott won't be angry."

"How do you know? I barely know what he's thinking most days."

"Please! If he worshipped you any more, he'd be Krypto. Minus the leg humping because that's just sick and wrong. Oh! We're at Fordman's! Pullover and let's order two dozen sliders."

"You've been snacking since we left the airport."

"Obviously, I'm hungry. Sliders!"

They arrived at the farm thirty minutes late. Not bad for Lois. Scott stood on the porch, his shades on, a coffee in his hand and Shelby at his feet. The ancient retriever-cross thumped his tail to acknowledge Clark's arrival but otherwise remained motionless. Krypto, on the other hand, rocketed out of the barn, yipping, delirious, and launched himself at Lois. Clark stood behind her to help her stay upright.

"Bad dog!" Lois shouted. "No! No jumping to lick my face!"

Krypto floated up to lick her face.

"That's not much better."

Scott straightened, meeting Clark in that back-breaking exchange of man-hug-back-slap designed to show affection while maintaining masculinity. Clark upped the ante by actually lifting Scott off his feet. "Gaining weight, little brother."

"I'm not the one who has to worry about looking good in tights," Scott retorted.

Lois went on tiptoe to kiss her brother-in-law on the cheek. "Hello Scott."

"Hi, Lois. Ready leave this lunky beefhead and the hustle and bustle of the big city for the wholesomeness of the farm and my own handsome self?"

Lois snorted. Clark put Scott down and took her up in his arms instead. "I love you, Mrs. Lane-Kent."

"What's not to love?" They rubbed noses, grinning at each other.

With a resigned shake of his head, Scott said, "What kind of impression will that leave, come on? They'd think we weren't raised right. And speaking of which, Ma and Pa had to run out to Granville else they'd've been here, too. IFA thing."

"What is it about you Kent boys wanting to save the world?" Lois asked. "Clark and his second job. You, Scott, and the Independent Farmer's Association. Congratulations on the award, by the way."

Scott went red everywhere his shades didn't cover. "Money's going to the association anyway."

"Exactly. And not to mention the other--"

A late model Jeep careened down the farm's dirt road, throwing up dust and gravel. Scott tensed, making Shelby yowl in askance. Clark caught Krypto before he flew down to attack. Lois took Scott's mug before he cracked the handle straight off. The Jeep slowed a bit as it drew closer and by the time it parked, Clark didn't have to blow away the dirt.

A rangy blond stepped out, almost as tall as Clark. He could have paused behind the car door to ensure he was at the right address. On the other hand, he could have been just as nervous as everyone else. He finally kicked the door closed, hitched a small overnight bag on his shoulder, and approached. A scar bisected his right eyebrow, disappearing into his hairline. The tips of his left pinkie and ring finger seemed flatter and shorter than the rest. He walked with deliberation, like each step had once hurt. Maybe it hurt him now. And he stopped at the bottom of the porch's two rickety steps, his throat working to find something to say.

As always, Lois filled in the silence. "We've been waiting for you."

"Sorry. I was... delayed." He coughed.

Clark stepped down. "Come on in for some sweet tea; it must've been quite a drive from the airport especially around these parts. They take for granted that you know your way around the back roads. Oh, here, let me take your bag." He paused in mid-thought however, realising that Krypto would charge as soon as he let go.

"Quit smothering him, Smallville. Can't you tell a big city freak-out when you see it?" said Lois.

Before Clark could retort, Scott stepped off the porch as well. He stopped barely a foot away from their guest and stuck his hands in his pockets. Recognizing the importance of the moment, Clark stepped back into Lois' arms as the two men stared at each other.

"You--" Scott voice cracked. He coughed and tried again. "You got big."

"You got glasses," said the other man.

"Oh! They're, uh, they're not really glasses. They're a type of crystal to help with my eyes. With my mutation, I mean. I guess you'd know about that."

"Yeah."

And silence. Shelby whuffled again while Krypto wriggled frantically in Clark's arms. Lois bore five seconds of the awkwardness before throwing her arms up in the air.

"Oh for fuck's sake, Clark and I didn't infiltrate the mutant underground for you to stare at each other! Scott, this is your brother, Alex, who you've been looking for since you were nine. He likes rocks, leading the X-Men, and horror movies. Alex, this is your brother, Scott, who you thought was dead since you were four. He likes his coffee addiction, fighting for independent organic farmers, and alphabetizing everything. Now hug it out." She shoved them together.

A great sobbing heave wrenched out of Alex's chest and he flung his arms around Scott, his forehead pressed on his shoulder, his overnight bag forgotten on the driveway. Scott clutched him just as tightly. Clark tried not to listen but he caught snatches of the conversation.

"--hated my parents fore leaving--"

"--looked for you, all the time--"

"--hated myself--"

"--only ever wanted you to be happy--"

"--mutation helped me find the professor--"

"--Clark helped with the force blasts--"

"--so damn glad--"

"--you're alive."

Cautiously, Clark put Krypto down. "Sit. Quiet," he told the dog and, thankfully, he obeyed even when Lois tucked herself under Clark's arm and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Lois, are you crying?"

"No. Stupid dog allergies. Or maybe it's hay. Stupid Kansas allergies." She sniffled.

"Then we getter go inside. I'll make tea." He started for the front door but Scott caught his arm.

"Wait. I want to introduce you." Scott smiled and for half a second, Clark saw that skinny little boy in the hospital bed with tubes coming out of everywhere, lost and homeless. "Alex, this is my big brother, Clark."

~fin~