Taking Time A Tale of the Very New Superboy

CHAPTERONE:

SEEINGSTARS!

AsClarkKentstaredintotheeyesofthemostdangerousthinghehadeverseen,hisbody

respondedaccordingly.AheartstrongenoughtopumpdrytheAtlanticpoundedfuriously.A
brainthatworkedfasterthanthecomputersofColufranticallysearchedforapropercourseof
action.Astomachthatcouldhandle22ofMarthaKent’spancakeswithoutcomplaintchurned
withoutmercy.

Forthefirsttimeinhislife,ClarkKentwasterrified.
Forthefirsttimeinhislife,ClarkKentwasinlove.
"Well,Clark,"LanaLangaskedhimcoyly,"whatdoyouthink?AmIprettierthanMargie

Thompson?"

Clarkswallowedhardandtookadeepbreath.Itwasstrangethataboywhocouldflyto

Plutoandbackandneverneedtobreathwouldfeelsosuffocatedatthealmost-innocent
questionofathirteen-year-oldgirl.Hisheartpoundedharderandhisheadspunfasterasthey
satthereonanearlysummernightundertheappletreeonthelinethatdividedtheKentand
Langproperties.Amonthago,hewouldn’thavefeltthisway.Amonthago,hewouldhave
probablyrespondedtoastupidgirlquestionlikethatwithsomestupidboytease.Amonthago,
allhecouldthinkaboutwasfinallyconvincinghisfolkstolethimputonthatcostumeMawas
makingforhimandgooutandhelppeople.

Forsomereason,though,andhedidn’tquiteknowwhy,thingsfeltdifferentthantheyhad

amonthago.Everythingreally,butespeciallythewayhefeltwhenhelookedatthisgirlhe’d
knownpracticallyallhislife.Forsomereason,wheneverhelookedather,hefeltlikehewas
melting.

Finally,hechokedout,"Sure,Lana."Hecoughed,thenlookedawayandadded,"Ithink

you’retheprettiestgirlinschool."

Hadhenotlookedaway,hewouldhaveseenLana’seyesgoallsoftwithherownrushof

newemotion.Oh,sure,whentheywerefourLanahadgottenbiglaughsbytellingeveryoneat
thechurchsocialthatshewasgoingtomarryClarkKentsomeday,probablywhentheywere
fiveorsix.Butthingshadchangedafterthat,andnot,Lanaknew,injustthenormalwaythat
boysandgirlsspendafewyearsthinkingeachotherareicky.

Clarkhadchanged.
He’dbecomemorehesitant,morerestrained,likehewasalwaysholdingsomethingback.

Socialpressuresbeingtheforcetheyare,she’djoinedwiththeotherkidsinteasinghimabout
hisnewly-foundmeekness,butpartofhersensedthatClark’sreservemeantsomething.
Something…important,andsomethingtowhichshewascuriouslydrawn.Nooneelsenoticed,
butClarkKenthadanintensityabouthim,aquietmaturitythatexceededhisyearsandhis
placeintheworld.Shedidn’tknowexactlywhatitwasinthosedeepblueeyespeekingout
frombehindthosethickglassesthatsostirredher.Sheonlyknewthatlately,ithadbeen
keepingherawakeatnight.

Andnowhe’dtoldherthatshewaspretty.
Shewasstillsmilingwhenhelookedbacktoher.Inthegrowingdarkness,theireyes

locked,andforamomentshethoughtClarkmightkissher.Shecertainlywantedhimto.Andhe

certainlywantedto.Butfearofrejectionistheoneforcethatcan,ifonlytemporarily,overcome
firstlove,andClarkinsteadlookedaway.Lanawasdisappointed,butalmostgrateful.The
swellofemotionbetweenthemwasalmostunbearable.

Theywerequietforamoment.Justtohavesomethingtosay,Lanasaid,"Thestarsare

beautifultonight."ShenoticedthatClark,lookingskyward,smiled."What?"sheasked.

Heleanedoverandpointedacrossherbodytowardsthesky."Youseethatstarthere,

theoneabout5degreeswestofVenus?"Lanalikedthattoo.Clarkdidn’ttalkdowntoher.He
seemedtobetheonlypersonsometimeswhorememberedthatshewasn’tjustaprettyface.
"Yes,Iseeit."

"It’s..."hepaused,andLanaknewthatthewallsthatClarkforsomereasonneededto

putbetweenhimselfandtherestoftheworldwereback.Notthistime,shethought.Notwith
her.Sheleanedcloserandslippedherhandoverhis."Tellme,"shewhispered.

Hehesitated,lookingfortherightwords."It’smystar,"hefinallysaid.
"Yourstar?"sheasked,tryingtosoundappropriatelyrespectful.
"Well,"hesaidashelookedaway,"Idon’townit,oranything.Butit’stheone…Iliketo

lookat.Youknow.WhenIcomeoutatnightandsitonthebackporch,orwalkoutinthefields.
Ilookatit.It’s...special."

"Why?"sheaskedgently.
"It’swhereIwas..."heblurtedout,then,hesitantagain,added"Iguessit’sjustwhereI

waslookingwhenIstartedlookingatstars."

Heseemedembarrassedathavingtoldher.Shesqueezedhishandtoreassurehim."I’m

sureit’saspecialstar."

"Itis,"hesaid,andwhenheturnedhishead,hefoundhimselfclosertoherthanhe’dever

been."MaybeI’lltakeyoutheresomeday,"wasallhecouldthinktosay.

Lanastaredathim.He’dsaidthatalmostlikehemeantit.Almostlikehecould.She

startedtosaythatshe’dlikethatwhenthesoundofSmallvillesilencewasbrokenbya
mother’svoice."Clark!Clark!"MarthaKentcalled."Comeonin.Timeforbed."

"Berightthere,"Clarkyelledback.HeturnedbacktoLanaandsighed."Gottago,"he

saidflatly."IhopeyouhavefuninMexico,"hesaidashestood.

"Yeah,"Lanareplied,suddenlyhavingmixedfeelingsabouthertriptovisitherfatheronan

archeologicaldig."It’llbegoodtoseeDaddy."

"Yeah,"Clarksaid,unabletohidehisdisappointmentatherimpendingabsenceofthree

weeks."Tellhimhelloforme.AndI’ll...uh...well,Ihopeyouhaveagoodtime."

"Yeah,"Lanasaid,suddenlyequallydisappointed,"yeah,Iguessit’llbeokay."
"Well,bye,"Clarksaidashebegantowalkacrosstheyard.
Lanawatchedhimwalkaway."Clark?"shecalledout.Heturnedbacktowardsher,and

shesaid"I’lllookatyourstarwhenI’minMexico.AndmaybewecanlookatittogetherwhenI
getback."

Hebrokeintoawidesmilethatthedarknesscouldn’thide."Yeah,"heagreed,thenturned

andheadedinsidejustasMarthacalledforhimagain.Lanawatchedhimashewalked,and
couldn’thelpnoticingthatheseemedalmosttobefloatingeverystepoftheway.

CHAPTERTWO:

THEBIRTHOFALEGEND!

ClarkKentlayinbed,eventhoughitwaswellpast4:30.He’dneverdonethatbefore.

Buthe’dneverfeltlikethisbeforeeither.Thereseemedtobeamassiveweightperchedjust
belowhissternum.Itmadebreathingdifficult,eventhoughhedidn’treallyneedtobreath.
Evenworse,hewouldoccasionallyexperienceawave-likesensationsweepingthroughhis
body.Thewavefeltlikeicewater,yet,paradoxically,lefthimfeverishlywarm.Mostly,hejust
sighedalotandlaythere.

AndthoughtofLana.

She’dbeengonethreedaysnow.Threeincrediblylongdays.He’dfloatedinthetrees

outsideherhomeearlyThursdaymorningassheandhermotherleftfortheairportandthe
planetoMexico.Whileeatingbreakfast,he’dwatchedherplanetakeoff,andasherestocked
theshelvesinthestorethatafternoon,he’dwatchedittouchdownonaMexicanrunway.
WhilemakingadeliverytoMrs.Parker,he’dwatched,andsmiled,asLanahuggedthefather
shehadn’tseeninamonth,andwhileeatingMa’schickenpotpieforsupper,he’dwatched
Lanaeatriceandbeansbesideacampfire.

Andwhenhegotupfrombedandsilentlysnuckouttositundertheirappletree,he

watchedLanalook,upinthesky,andsomehowheknewatwhatshewaslooking.Andwhat
shewasfeeling.

Itmadehimfeellikeshoutingatthetopofhislungs.Itmadehimfeellikeflyingaroundthe

world20times.Itmadehimfeellikechasingacomet.

Italsomadehimfeellikehewasgoingtodie.Hecouldn’tbelievehowmuchhemissed

her.Who’dhavethoughtthreeweekscouldseemlikesuchaneternity.

Hehadn’trealizedhownoticeablehissufferinghadbecomeuntilPawalkedintothe

bedroomthatSundaymorning."MorningClark,"hesaid.

"MorningDad,"hereplied,eventhoughithurttospeak.

JonathanKentsatdownontheedgeofClark’sbed,andplacedhiscallusedhandonhis

son’sperfectly-formedbrow."Hmm,"Pasaid,"youdon’thaveafever.Course,thatshouldn’
tbeasurprise.Youneverhave.Still,it’sobviousthatsomething’swrong.ClarkKentnever
laidinbeduntil7:30inhislife.Nottomentionallthatmopingyou’vebeendoing."Clarkjust
shrugged.Hewantedtounburdenhimself,buttheblushoffirstloveissomethingyoudon’t
talkabout,notevenwithaparentwithwhomyoucanshareanything.Well,almostanything.

"IsupposeIknowwhat’sbotheringyou."

Clark’sfaceturnedredasheshruggedagain.HelovedhisPafiercely,buthedidnot

wanttobehavingthisconversation.NotaboutLana.

"Isupposeit’stime,"Jonathansaid.Andthen,hemadeamistake.Hedidn’tmake

manyofthemwhenitcametoClark.JonathanandMarthaKentsharedthemostimportant

responsibilityontheplanet.Raisingthisspacechildwasanalmostimpossibletask,yettheydid
italmostflawlessly.Whetherborntothejob,guidedbysomeunseenhand,orjustplainlucky,
theyalmostnevermademistakesofjudgmentinmentoringthisdemi-god.Buttheymadeone
here."Areyousureyou’reready?"

Clarkwasconfused."Whatdoyoumean?"

Jonathanplacedhishandontheshoulderoftheboywho’ddroppedintohislifeeleven

challengingandwonderfulyearsearlier."Son,myfatherusedtosaythatwhenahorsehasgot
torun,yougottolethim.We’vebeenholdingyoubackfromthis.Weweren’tsurethatyou
wereready,andafterall,it’snotliketherearen’tanyrulebooksortimetablesonwhento
dothis.Allwecangobyiswhatourinstinctsandjudgmenttellsus.Andourstellsusthatyou’
reready."

Clarklookedtothedoorwaywherehismotherstood.Inherarmswereabrightblueand

red...itwashis,hesuddenlyrealized.Thecostume.Hiscostume!

Hewasimmediatelystandinginfrontofher.Hersmilewasbothwarmandsadasshe

handedthesuittoherstarchild.NoonespokeasClarkheldandcaressedthefabric.Likehim,
itwasalien,andlikehim,ithadbeenmoldedbylovinghands.Lookatit,Clarkthought.Lookat
thecape.Lookatthatsymbol."It’sperfect,"Clarkwhisperedwithreverence.Thenhelooked
up,kissedhismother,zippedovertohughisfather,andunabletoholdbackanylonger,donned
thecostumethatwouldsomedayberecognizedacrossathousandworlds.

Andstoodbeforethem,atitaninred,yellow,andblue.A13-year-oldboyabletorule,

destroy,orsavetheworld.Krypton’slastandgreatestgifttotheuniverse.

Theirson.

TheirSuperboy.

CHAPTERTHREE:

SUPERBOYONEARTH!

JonathanandClarktalkedforalongtimebeforeheactuallywentout.Itwaslikeapilot

doingawalkaroundbeforeaflight.Itwasnothingtheyhadn'ttalkedaboutbefore,butitallhad
tobesaidagain.Don'tbeseenunlessit'snecessary.Usethetimeyourspeedgivesyouto
thinkthingsthrough.Don'tfrightenanyone.Andwatchoutforplanes.

JonathanandMarthawatchedastheirson,forthefirsttime,leaptintotheskywearing

hiscostume.Theybothcried,thoughJonathanmanagedtokeephistearsappropriately
sparse."OhJonathan,arewedoingtherightthing?"Marthaasked."He'sjustachild."

"True,"Jonathanacknowledged."Buthe'smorethanthat.Allthatreadinghe'sdone,that

brainofhis...he'swisebeyondhisyears.Beyondmyyears,probably.He'llbefine.Besides,
doesn'tseemlikethere'smuchofanythingthatcanhurthim.Whatkindoftroublecouldheget
into?"

JonathanKentshouldbeforgivenfortheultimateinaccuracyofhisstatement.Atthat

time,whocouldhaveimaginedsuchthingsasKryptonite,thePhantomZone,or,forthat
matter,LexLuthor.Still,intheshort-run,hewasright.Therewasn'tmucharoundSmallvillethen
thatcouldhurtaSuperboy.CertainlynottheMetropolishoodlumswhodecidedtotake
advantageofaquietSundayafternoontoknockoverasmall-timebank.Theywouldn'tbethe
lastgangofthugstotrytovandalizeSmallville,buttheywouldbethelastonestoseeitas
easypickings.

ThatChiefParkerengagedtheminagunfightastheyattemptedtoleavethebankwas

proofthatSmallvillewasn'teasypickings.Cornered,theyweremutteringtothemselvesabout
theprobabilitiesofbeingspottedbytheonecopinthisone-coptown,andpreparedtoblast
theirwayout.IfSmallvillebecameano-coptownintheprocess,somuchthebetter.

Thentheysawtheflyingboy.

Whiletheirfearcausedthemtofireeverybullettheyhadinhisdirection,theboywas,as

hisfatherhadalwaysemphasized,thinking.Beforethebulletscouldbounceoffhischest,the
freshly-mintedSuperboyhadcalculatedtheiranglesofreturnandknewthataslighttwistofhis
torsowasnecessarytokeeponeofthemfromstrikingAliceCrandallasshestuckherhead
outoftheboardinghousedownthestreet.Beingonly13,however,hedidn'tturnquiteenough
tosaveheragoodscarewhenthebulletbouncedoffthewallbelowher.

Takinghistime,heletthethievesexhausttheirammunition.Hecouldhavedisarmedthem,

ofcourse,butheknewhehadtobeextracarefulwhenpullingthingsoutofothers’hands.
Didn'twanttotearoffalimb.Whentheywerefinishedfiring,andbeforetheycouldreloadand
squandermorelead,hemovedfarfasterthananythingorganicwassupposedtobeableto
move,anddepositedthemonebyoneinChiefParker'sjailcells,handedChiefParkerthe
keys,toldtheChieftolethimknowifhecoulddoanythingforhim,andthenshotoffintothe
sky.

Notcountingthetimeittookforthreewitnessestotheeventtoregainconsciousness

afterfainting,ithadalltakenlessthanthirtyseconds.Thirtysecondstochangetheworld.Even
thoughtheworlddidn'tseemtonotice.

Onewouldexpectthattheworldwouldreactviolentlytothereportsofthisinhumanely

fast,inhumanelystrong,inhumanelyflying,boy.Butitdidn't,atleastnotrightaway.Afterall,
anyactorcouldexplainthatmakingone'sdebutinSmallvilleisnotquitethesameasmakingit
inNewYorkorMetropolis.Asaresult,inthenewsroomsofthenation,thefirstreportsofthe
boywhowouldbecometheworld'smostfamouscitizenweresummarilyfiledwiththeother
reportsofsmall-townoddities,likeUFOsightingsandtwo-headedcalves.

ThatwasfinewithClarkandhisparents,whowerepleasedwiththerelativelyquietdebut

ofSuperboy.OneofJonathan'sandMartha'sstrongestfearswasthatrevelationofhis
existencewouldcauseSmallvilletobeoverrunbytheoutsideworld.Thoughovertime,
SmallvillewouldbeunmistakablyknownasSuperboy'shometown,heattemptedtodelaythis
identificationbybeingseeninallpartsofthestate.Asaresult,themultiplelocalesofsighting
begantoaddcredencetothereports,andsomeofthebig-citypaperswereonthevergeof
sendingoutreporterstoinvestigate.Until,almostthreeweeksafterthatSundayafternoonin
theSmallvillesquare,confirmingthesmall-townreportsbecameamootpoint.

That’swhentheseamonstercametoMetropolis.

Itwouldbeyearsbeforeanyonesatdownandwroteadetailedanalysisofjustwhyasea

monsterwouldcometoMetropolissosoonafterasuper-powerfulboybegantooperate
publicly.Inthatmorecynicalage,Super-Attraction:WhySupermanBroughtUsMonsters
wouldbeamoderatebest-seller.Atthetime,allanyonecaredwasthatshortlyafterthe90-
feettallflame-breathingseamonsterenteredMetropolisHarbor,aflyingboylandedonthe
deckoftheUSdestroyerthatwasabouttofireonit,andaskedforachancetostopthe
creature.Atthetime,allanyonecaredaboutwasthatthecommanderofthevesselagreedto
lethimtry.Atthetime,allanyonecaredaboutwasthatthecreaturewassoonbackatthe
bottomofthesea.

Atthetime,allanyonecaredwasthatagodwalkedamongthem.Agodwhosevoice

hadn'tyetchanged,butstill,agod.

CHAPTERFOUR:

SUPERBOYAPPRECIATIONDAY!

Inamoresophisticatederaofperceivingandmassagingpublicopinion,perhapsthe

youngSuperboyandhisparentswouldhaveadoptedamoreproactiveapproachtointroducing
himtotheworld.Instead,theyfollowedtheirinstincts,which,tendingtowardsreserveand
humility,effectivelyleftthepublicandmediaablankslateonwhichtoprojecttheirfearsand
aspirations.He’llsaveus,onegroupsaid.He’llconquerus,saidanother.Andanypointin
betweenthetwoextremescouldbeeasilyfoundinthecommentariesandconversationofthe
day.Mostofthepubliclybroadcastopinionstendedtowardssuspicion,fear,andhostility.
Thesewere,ofcourse,ratherhumanresponses,andmaybenothingwouldhavecomeofthem,
ifnotforoneunavoidablefact.

Humansruntheworld.
OnlyinSmallville,perhaps,wasresponseunambiguous.Itwasherethathe’dfirst

appeared,andChiefParkervouchedforhim.Thatwasenoughforthegoodpeopleofthetown
tobrandhimastheirs.NomatterwhatShelbyvilleorCooperSpringsmightclaim,this
SuperboyfellawasSmallville’sfavoriteson.Nooneherewonderedwhathewanted.They
knewthatlikeanyothergoodSmallvillian,hejustwantedtohelp.Andtheywerehappytolet
him.

Aftertwoweeks,fiverescuedcats,twoextinguishedbrushfires,threejump-startedcars,

andonethwartedbankrobbery,theSmallvilleCityCouncilfeltthatitwastimetoholda
SuperboyAppreciationDay.PaKentrecommendedthathissongraciouslyattend."People
needtofeelliketheyknowyou,Clark,"heexplained."Thethingsyoucando…well,let’sjust
saythatpeopleneedtoknowthatdespiteallthat,you’rejustplainfolks."

Withreluctance,ClarkagreedtotheSaturdayafternoonevent.Thereluctancewas

primarilytheresultofhisalmostinnatehabitoftryingtokeepalowprofile,buttherewas
somethingmore.

SaturdaywasthedaythatLanawascominghome.
WhiletheexcitementofoperatingpubliclyhadtakentheedgeoffhislongingforLana,her

imminentreturnhadrenewedhisexhilaration.Why,sodistractedwashewiththoughtsofLana,
he’devenslippedand,asClark,hadeffortlesslyliftedatwohundred-poundcrateinfrontof
Mrs.Potter.Fortunately,Mrs.Potterdidn’tseesowellanymore,butheknewhehadtobe
morecareful.IfonlySaturdaywouldcome,hekeptthinking,hewouldbeabletothinkstraight
again.

He’dplannedtocoincidentallybewaitingbyherfrontgatewhenLanacamehome,but

thatwouldn’tbepossiblenow.Resigninghimselftoachancemeetingwithherdowntownafter
thefestivitiesinhishonor,heputhisbestfaceonforhisparents,andattemptedtogenuinely
appreciatethegratitudethetownwasshowing.

ThecrowdforSuperboyAppreciationDaywasthelargestevertoassembleinSmallville,

largereventhanthatoftheannualCornFestival.Ofcourse,thenumberofout-of-town
reporterswhocoveredtheCornFestivalwassignificantlylessthanthe500ormorewho
showedupthatday.Thosethatcamesawanoutpouringofsmall-townenthusiasmandwarmth
thateventhemostjadedofthemwereforcedtoadmitwasnotable.TheSmallvilleHighSchool

band,hastilyreassembledfromtheirsummerbreak,turnedinarousingperformancedespite
theirlackofpractice.TomJohnson’slemonadesoldlikehotcakesonthishotsummerday,and
EmmaJohnson’sfriedapplepiessoldlike,well,herfriedapplepies.Andthemortgageonthe
Johnsonplacewassizablyreduced.

Superboydescendedfrom2000feetpromptlyatnoon,andgraciouslyacceptedthe

handshakesandspeechesofthemayorandtowncouncilandthenewlycastkeytothecity.
Superboy’sspeechwastheshortestoftheday,clockinginatamere37seconds,or
approximately30timesshorterthanCouncilmanTaylor’s.Theyoungsterthankedthetown,
thankedthemayor,thankedthetowncouncil,promisedthathewoulddohisbesttoliveupto
allthis,thankedeveryoneagain,andsatdown.Fourmorespeechesandtwomorerenditions
ofStarsandStripesForeverlater,Smallvillehadexhausteditsbagoftricks.Besides,itwas
hot,anyway.

Overtime,Superboywouldlearnthevalueofmakinganappropriatelydramaticexit,and

indeed,howtomakeone.Atthisage,though,insteadoftreatingthecrowdtoaslowascent
intothecloudsthattheywouldhavetalkedaboutforthirtyyears,hesimplystoodaroundasthe
festivitiesended.Itwasamistakehewouldn’tmakeagain.

ItspeaksvolumesabouttheupbringingoftheSmallvillecitizensthattherewasnopushing

untiltheout-of-townreporterssurgedintoSuperboy’sproximity.Butthenagaggleofenthralled
teenagedgirlsfollowedthemin,andapressofbodiesbeganthatwasgoingtoseriouslyhurt
someoneifitwentonmuchlonger.Superboyquicklyrealizedthatthebestwaytodefusethe
situationwastoremovehimselffromit,andheslowlyroseoutofreach,andpreparedtosoar
away.

Butthen,forsomereason,hepaused.Insilence,hehoveredthereforalongmoment

thatalmostallowedthepushingtobeginagain,beforespeedingintotheskysoquicklyitmade
atleastthreemembersoftheSmallvilleDARlosetheirsummerhats.

Thoughmostdidn’tgiveitasecondthought,thehesitationpuzzledafew.OneMetropolis

reporterputinhisdispatchacriticalcommentabouthowtheyoungsterhadhoveredoverthe
pressingmassofhumanityinagestureofhissuperiority,buthisgrizzlededitorquicklyexcised
it."Don’tprojectyourpsychobabbleintoyourstories!"he’dbarkedtothereporteroverthe
phoneasheexcisedthestatement.PerryWhitedidthiswithoutevenknowingthatthefeeling
thatcausedtheboytopausewasasfarfromsuperiorityaswaspossible.

JonathanKenthaddefinitelynoticedhisson’shesitanceupondeparting,andthepossible

ramificationsofit.ClarkwassittinginhisroomwiththecurtainsdrawnwhenPacamein.At
leasthehadn’tgonetothemoon,likeheusuallydidwhenhewasupset,Pathought.Casually
walkingovertolookoutthewindow,Pasaid,"Prettybigday."

Clarknodded,butdidn’tlookup.Jonathantookadeepbreath.
"Youupsetaboutwhathappenedthereattheend?"
Clarknoddedagain.
"Youjusthesitated.It’sonlyhuman.Youwerealittleconfused,butnoonewashurt.You’ll

knowbetternexttime."

Clarknoddedagain.Hestilldidn’tlookup.
Jonathanwasbeginningtosensethatmorewaswrongherethanabrieflapsein

judgment."Son?"Still,Clarkdidn’tlookup."Son.What’sthematter?"

Clarkstilldidn’tlookup.Instead,hestood.Then,Clarkslowlywalkedintohisfather’s

arms,andbegantocry.Pa,whocouldn’trememberhowlongithadbeensinceClarkhad
cried,justheldhissoninsilencewhilehewept.WhenClark’ssobsbegantosubside,Jonathan
saidagain,"Son,what’sthematter?"

ItwashardforClarktoanswer."Lana,"wasallhecouldfinallysay.
JonathanKentfeltthetiniestmomentofrelief.Thequestion,"Isthatall?"percolatedinhis

brain.Butthenherememberedwhatitwasliketobe13andinloveforthefirsttime,andhe
realizedthat,howevertrivialthisinfatuationmightbeinthegrandschemeofthings,itwas
beyondallimportancerightnowtoClark.PerhapsinlightofClark’sabilities,thatmadeitnon-
trivialinthegrandschemeofthings,butallJonathanreallycaredaboutrightthenwasthathis
boywashurting.

"Tellmeaboutit,"Pasaid.
Clarkdid."I…likeLana.Alot.AndI’dbeensoexcitedaboutseeingheragain.Andthen

allofasudden,thereshewas.AsIwasabouttoleave,shewasoneofthegirlstryingtoget
closetome.AndIwassohappytoseeher,I…didn’tmoveforasecond.Ialmostforgot
that…youknow,thatIwasthereasSuperboy,notasClark."

Jonathandidn’tknowquitewhattomakeofhisboy’sworries."I…don’tunderstand.You’re

upsetbecauseyouweresogladtoseeherthatyoustopped?"

Clarkshookhishead."No.Itwas…itwasthelook…thelookonherface.Shewas…

ecstatic.Shelooked,youknow,likethosegirlsdidwhentheyfirstsawElvis."

NowJonathanwasevenmoreconfused."But,son,that’sunderstandable.You’re…

somethingnoonehaseverseenbefore.Nottomentionthatyou’reashandsomeascanbe.Of
courseayounggirllikeLanaisgoingtoflipoveryou."

"No,"Clarksaidsharply."OverSuperboy.Shehadlikedme,butnow…Icouldseeitin

hereyes.Thethrill.Afterthat…plainoldClarkKentjustisn’tgoingtomatchup."

Jonathantookanotherdeepbreath,andtriedtothinkofwhattosay."Son,Idon’tquite

knowwhattotellyou.You’reright,ifwhatyou’resayingisthatasSuperboyyou’regoingto
turnmoreprettylittleheadsthanasClark.ProbablyeveryteenagedgirlinSmallville,ifnotthe
wholecountry,isdreamingaboutholdingyourhandrightnow.Andprobablyeveryteenaged
boyinSmallville,ifnotthewholecountry,isfeelingamiteenviousofSuperboy.Butthingswill
settledown.Peopletendtogetallexcitedaboutnewthings,butthenthingsgobacktonormal.
AndyoumightnotbegivingLanaenoughcredit.Rightnow,Superboyisnewandexciting,but
thatdoesn’tmeanthatthehistorythetwoofyoushareisjustwipedaway.There’sabond
betweenyoutwo.Alwayshasbeen,sincethefirsttimeyousaweachotherwhenyouwere
three,andshewalkedrightoverandkissedyouplumbonthelips."

Clarkalmostgrinnedatthememory,butthenshookhishead."Idon’tknowPa.Youdidn’t

seethelookonherface.Ifeel...kinda...likeI’mlosingout.AndthefactthatIseemtobe...
losingouttomyselfjustmakesitalltheworse."

SensingthatClarkwasabouttocryagain,Pahuggedhimtighter.Thenheheldhimat

arm’slengthandlookedintohiseyes."Son,IcanonlytellyouhowsorryIamthatIdidn’tfigure
outwhatwasgoingonwithyou.Goingthroughyourfirstloveis…well,let’sjustsaythatI
rememberthinkingthatIwasn’tgoingtomakeitoutalive.Ishouldn’thaveputyouthrough
revealingyourselftotheworldwhileallthiswasgoingon."

"Pa,youcouldn’thaveknown."
"Yes,Icould.Ishouldhave."Jonathanstoppedandshookhishead."Son,IguessIkeep

forgettingthatyou’reonly13.It’sjustthatyou’reso…advancedineverything,Iforgetthatin
additiontotheproblemsbeingSuperboywillcauseyou,youhavetogothroughtheproblems
ofgrowingupjustlikeanyotheryoungman."

"Ishouldn’thavetothough,"Clarkprotested."Imean,I’vereadeverythingeverwrittenon

humandevelopment.IknowFreud,andErickson,andadozenothers.IfIlookatthis
objectively,Iknowthatit’salljust…partofthenormalmaturationprocess."

Jonathanshookhishead."ButClark,youcan’tlookatthingsthatway.Youcan’tjust…

analyzelifeobjectively.You’vegottoliveit.Son,youmaybethesmartestpersonevertoset
footonthisplanet.Withallthatreadingyoudo,youcertainlyknowmorethingsthananyone
elseeverhas.Butallthatbooklearningisnosubstituteforthethingsthattimewillteachyou."
Papaused."DoyourememberthefirsttimeyoureadShakespeare?Howoldwereyou?"

"Four,"Clarkrepliedinstantly.
"Right,youwerefour.I’llneverforgetit.Weknewyouwere...specialbeforethat,of

course.Notmanythree-year-oldscanchopfirewoodwiththeirbarehands.ButIdon’tthinkwe
realizedjusthowsmartyouwereuntilthen.Youreadandmemorizedthecompleteworksof
Shakespeareinwhat,two,threehours?Oneafternoon,andyou’ddonewhatfewpeoplehave
doneinalifetime."

"Ireallylikedthem,"Clarkrecalled."Thecadencesweresodifferent.KindalikewhatI

rememberedofKryptonese."

"Yeah,youwereasight.Afour-year-oldspoutingofflinesfromHamletorKingLearor

Othelloatthesuppertable.Youdidthatforaweek.Thoughtitwoulddriveyourmothercrazy."
Hechuckledatthememory,butthenwasserious."Youknewallthelines,but,youdidn’t
understandwhatitallmeant,didyou?"

Clarkshookhishead."No,notreally.Iunderstood…themeaningofthewords.Butnot

whatit…reallymeant."Hefurrowedhisbrowinthought,thenadded,"MaybeIstilldon’t."

Jonathannodded."Somethingsjusttaketime,and...wisdomisoneofthose.It’slike

buildingahouse.Puttingallthepiecestogethertakeslongerthangettingthem.Andyou’vegot
morepiecestoputtogetherthananyonewho’severlived.Now,becauseyou’resosmartand
havesuchagoodheart,you’llbeabletodothat.Butit’sgoingtotaketime.Weallneedto
rememberthat.Whetherit’sfiguringoutwhatthelimitsofyourpowersare,orfiguringouthow
Lanaorsomeothergirlfeelsaboutyou.Evenyoucan’trushtime."Clarknodded,thoughhis
agreementwasmoreintellectualthanemotional.

ThenPasaid,"AndClark,there’ssomethingIshouldhavetoldyousooner.Youdon’thave

todothis.This...herothing.Ihopeyou’renotdoingitonaccountofmeandyourmother.I
knowwe’vetoldyouoverandoverhowspecialyourpowersare,andhowyou’llbeabletohelp
folkswiththem.Butyou’reourson,andwhatwemostwantisforyoutobehappy.Ifallyou
wanttoleadisanormallife,noworlater,you’reentitledtothat,sameasanyoneelseis.Ifyou
like,youcanputthatcostumeawayforever.Oryoucanputitawayuntilyou’reagrownman.
Whateveryouchoose,it’suptoyou.Thisresponsibilitymaynotbetoomuchtotake,butitis
toomuchtoask.Thechoicehastobeyours."

Clark’seyeslockedwiththoseofthemanwhohadraisedhim.Hewassurprisedto

CHAPTERFIVE:

SuperboyhoveredoffthecoastofMadagascarandfinishedhissurveyofthestateofthe

opposingforces.Itwasalmostasbadasitcouldbe.Theonlysavinggracewasthatnoshots
hadbeenfired.Atleastnotyet.Buthismonitoringofthemessagetrafficconfirmedthe
seriousnessofthesituation.Bothsideswereatmaximumalert.Bothsideswerejumpy.And
bothsideshalf-expectedtheballoontogoup.

Superboyhungthereandsigheddeeply.Hecursedhimselffornotanticipatingthis.He

knewenoughabouthumannatureandUS-Sovietrelationstohaveexpectedthistypeof
reaction.TheKremlincouldonlyseehimasanewandpotentiallyundefeatableAmerican
weapon.Andunfortunately,someill-consideredcommentsbyPentagonandWhiteHouse
officials,nottomentiontheimagesofSuperboystandingonthedeckofanAmericanshipwhen
he’dstoppedtheseacreatureinMetropolis,hadonlyreinforcedthatview.

Ironicallyenough,notonlywasSuperboynotanAmericanweapon,buttheUSleadership

feltprettymuchthesamewayabouthimastheSovietsdid.

Theywerescaredofhimtoo.

Hefeltterrible,andnotjustaboutbeingthecauseofallthis.Thestrainwastakingitstoll.

Forfourhourshehadbeentaxinghissensoryandintellectualpowerstothelimit,tryingto
monitorvirtuallyeverymilitarycommunicationsnetworkforahintofthefirstoutbreakofwar,
scourmilitarycodebooksandmanualstounderstandwhatallthetrafficmeant,andkeeptabs
onwhatwasgoingoninboththeWhiteHouseandKremlin.

Andwhatwasgoingonwasnotgood.Bothsideswerebecomingmoreandmore

aggressivewitheachmoveandcounter-move,unabletobreakthedangerouscycleof
escalation.Whennear-simultaneousWhiteHouseandKremlinbriefingsonfirststrikeoptions
began,Clarkdecidedthathehadtodosomething.

Hejustdidn’tknowwhat.

Apanicthathadbeenbuildinginhimforhoursnowbubbledtothesurface.Allhisoptions

seemedtobebadones.

HecouldflytotheKremlinandaskthemtostop.OrhecouldflytotheWhiteHouseand

askthemtostop.Buthefearedthatifhedideitherofthosethings,theothersidewould
somehowknowaboutitandwouldinterpretitasathreattothemselves.

OrhecouldflyhomeandaskPawhattodo.Buthe’dalreadydonethatbeforeheleft.

AllPa,whoforallhisgoodjudgment,hadlittleexperienceininternationalpolitics,hadbeen
abletotellhimwastonotmakeanyrashdecisions.

Orhecouldpraythatnothinghappened.Well,hewasalreadydoingthat,but,inthelong

run,itdidn’tseemtoquitecoverallthebases.

Or,hecouldhopethatiffightingdidbreakout,hewouldbeabletostopit.Buthedidn’t

knowexactlyhow’dhe’dgoaboutdoingthat.Sure,hecoulddestroymissilesastheywere
fired,disableshipsandsubsandplanes,andevenphysicallyseparategroundforcesif
necessary.Buthecouldn’tdoallthosethingsatthesametime.Despitehisspeed,hecould
stillonlybeinoneplaceatatime,andifeithersidefiredthefirstshot,simultaneousaction
aroundtheglobewouldquicklyfollow.Nottomentionthathewasn’tsurethatanyofthat
wouldbetherightthingtodo.TheKentshadraisedhimtobealoyalAmerican,afterall,and
impedingtheactionsoftheAmericanmilitaryseemedtreasonous,nomatterhownoblehis
intentions.

Hismindkeptracingaroundandaround,buthecouldn’tcomeupwithmorethanthat.

Givenhisstatusastheoriginofthisproblem,theredidn’tjustseemtobemuchthathecould
dotofixit.

Thenherealizedthattheanswerwasstaringhimrightintheface.Hewasthecauseof

this,andtakinghimselfoutofthepicturewasmaybetheonethinghecoulddefinitelydo.Itdidn
’tevenrequireanythingasdrasticasgoingintospaceandnevercomingback.Allhe’dhave
todowouldbetoflybacktoSmallville,takeoffthecostume,andneverputitonagain.

Thatwouldsolveeverything,wouldn’tit?

He’dturnedtoheadtowardsNorthAmericawhenPa’swordsranginhisears.Don’t

doanythingrash.Think.Hehaltedhisflightandtookadeepbreath.Ifheeverneededtobe
abletothinkclearly,thiswasthetime.Sohestopped,andforawhile,hejustfloatedthere,
thinking.Hequitlisteningtothenewscastsandmilitarycommunications.Hequitwatchingthe
Presidenttalktohisadvisors.Hequittryingtocalculatearesolutiontothissituationlikeitwas
amathproblem.Heturnedhisthoughtsinward,andhethoughtaboutwhatheneededtodo.

Andinalittlewhile,herealizedthattakingoffthecostumeprobablywouldn’tsolve

anything.EvenifhesomehowtoldtheworldthattheyhadseenthelastofSuperboy,the
Russianswouldn’tbeconvinced.They’dknowthat,costumeornot,hewasstillanincredibly
powerfulAmerican,andtheywouldstillseehimasathreat.

Andhisowngovernment,foritspart,wouldnotbeabletolethimgosoeasily.They’d

wanttoknowwhohewas,andwherehewas.They’dwanttocontrolanythingthatcould
frightentheRussiansthatmuch.And,asmuchashe’dseengovernmentoperativeslurking
aroundSmallvilleinthepastweek,ifhevanishedthey’dprobablyteartheplaceaparttryingto
findhim.No,herealized,hisretreatintotheshadowsaftersuchashorttimewouldleave
peopleevenmoresuspiciousandfearfulofhim.Therewasnoputtingthegeniethatwashis
existencebackintoabottleofpublicignorance.

Thiswasanevenharderpuzzletosolve.Whatwouldsatisfyeveryone?Whatwould

alleviatetheirfears?Whatcouldmaketheworld…comfortablewithhim?

ThenherememberedwhatPahadsaid."Letthemknowthatyou’rejustplainfolks."

Ignoringthebrewingsubbattleabouttobeginbeneathhim,Superboyturnedandsped

towardsNewYork.

CHAPTERSIX:

TheRespectedAnchormanalmostdidn’tbelievehisassistantwhenshetoldhimthata

Mr.Superboywantedtoseehim.Hisexcitementatthepossibility,however,faroutweighedhis
disbelief.Theexcitementdidcausehisgreetingtotheyoungsterasheshookhandswithhimto
comeoutataninordinatelyhighpitch,buthequicklymanagedareturntothebaritonethat
Americansfoundsoreassuring."It’sapleasuretomeetyou,youngman.You’requitethenews
thesedays."

Superboynoddedashereturnedthehandshake."Unfortunately."
"I’mnotentirelyaccustomedtothenewsshowinguponmydoorstep.Iusuallyhavetogo

outanddigforit,"theRespectedAnchormanexaggerated."I’mhopingthatthere’ssomethingI
candoforyou."

"Yes.Therecertainlyis."
Theywereontheairinfiveminutes.TheRespectedAnchormankepthisintroduction

surpassinglybrief,andsurprisinglyreassuring.Thenitwastimefortheyoungmantospeak.
Hiswords,thoughnotamongthemosteloquentinhistory,wouldcertainlygodownasbeing
amongthemostimportant.Andthemostgenuine.

"Hello,"hesaid,withobviousanxiety."Ican’ttellyoumyrealname,butthenewsfolks

havetakentocallingmeSuperboy.IguessIanswertothatnow."Thenhepaused,uncertainof
howtoproceed.

Theanchormanhelpedhimout."Superboy,wastherewassomethingyouwishedtotell

theworld?"

"Yes.Iwanttotelltheworldthat…well,thatIhopethatnooneseesmeasathreat.I’m

notgoingtohurtanybody.I’mnotgoingtooverthrowanygovernments.Ijustwanttohelp
people.AllthesepowersIhave,thesethingsIcando,Iknowthey’repretty…incredible.
They...scaremetoo,sometimes."Hehalf-smiled."ButtheonlythingIwanttousethemforis
tosavelivesandprotectinnocentpeople."

Hetookadeepbreath,thencontinued."Andasforpolitics…well,yousee,I’m…pretty

smart.That’soneofmypowers.Mybrainworksveryfast,andIremembereverythingIsee.
Thathasenabledmetoreadalotofbooksandeverything…but…IrealizethatIdon’thave
thewisdomtomakedecisionsaboutthewaypeopleshouldbelivingtheirlives.I’m…onlya
kid."

Hestopped,unsureofwhattoadd.TheRespectedAnchormanproddedhimagain.

"Superboy,whatareyourfeelingsregardingthecurrentpoliticalandmilitarytensionbetween
thiscountryandtheSovietUnion,inthatyourpresencehasbeencitedasthemajorreason
behindthecurrentescalation?"

"Myfeelingsarethatit’samajormistake,"Superboyblurted,"iftheonlyreasonit’s

happeningisme."Hetookanotherdeepbreath,anddecidedtolayhiscardsonthetable.
"Look,I’manAmerican,andI’malwaysgoingtobeanAmerican.Butthatdoesn’tmeanthatI
wanttomakeeveryoneelseanAmerican,orbecomeanAmericansoldier.Iknowtheworldis
muchtoocomplexaplaceforthat.Imean,therealreasonI’manAmericanisbecausethisis

whereIlandedwhenIcamehere.See,IwassentherewhenIwasjustababy...froma
planet...calledKrypton.Krypton...exploded.Itwasdestroyed.Everyonewasdestroyed.
Exceptme.MyfatherbuiltarocketandsentmeheresothatIcouldlive."Itwasthenthatthe
firsttearbegantotrickledownhischeek.

"I...Ijustcouldn’tstanditifanythinglikethathappenedhere.Imean,Icouldprobably

stopmostofthemissiles,butImightnotbeabletostopthemall.Youjustcan’t...dothatto
yourselves...notforanyreason.Butplease,especially,notbecauseofme.Ijustwanttohelp."
Hestoppedtalking,soasnottobreakdown.TheAnchormangavehimamoment,thengently
asked,"Wasthereanythingelseyouwishedtoadd,Superboy?"

Superboyquicklyregainedhiscomposure."Onlythis.Ijustwanttolettheworldknow,

thatifitdoesn’twantmetodothis,this...Superboything...I’llgoaway.I’lltakeoffthis
costumeandyou’llneverseemeagain.Idon'twanttodothat,butifyoufolksthinkIshould,
well,I...defertoyourjudgment."Hestood."Rightnow,I’mjustgoingtogoonhome.I’ll...be
keepingmyearsopen.I’lllistentohearwhatpeoplethinkaboutme.Andif..."hepaused,and
thelookofpainandconcernonthefaceoftheboywassorealatthatmoment,thatnoone
couldmissit,"youdecidethatIshouldn’tbedoingthis...then...well,everyonetakecare."

Thenhewasgone.Andtheworldcouldn’thelpbutnoticehowquickly.

CHAPTERSEVEN:

Despitehisintenttogohome,Clarkwasoutuntiltwointhemorning,makingsurethatthe

militarysituationwasn’tgettinganyworse.Then,exhaustedasayoungKryptonianundera
yellowsuncanbe,heheadedfortheKenthome,andforthefirsttimesincehewasababy,
sleptpastsix.Whenheawoke,itwastohismother,sittingontheedgeofhisbed,holdingupa
copyoftheDailyPlanet.Theheadlinesaiditall.

EARTHTOSUPERBOY:STAY!
ThestoryunderneaththeheadlineexplainedthatovernightresponsetoSuperboy’spublic

pleahadbeenoverwhelminglypositive.TheAmericanpublic,atleast,hadn’twaitedtobe
asked.Instead,theyhadbeguntocallthenewspapers,andnewstations,andtheir
Congressman,andSenators,andtheWhiteHouse,andprettymuchanyoneelsewithasayin
publicaffairs,untilthephonesystemhadcollapsedundertheload.Earlyreportsofpublic
opinionfromaroundtheworldtoldmuchthesamestory.Suddenly,Earthhadmadeupitsmind
abouttheBoyofSteel,andithaddecidedthatitreally,reallylikedhim.

Byearlymorning,boththeKremlinandPentagonhadrecalledtroopsandhad

downgradedtheiralertstates.Ifmissilesweretoeverbeexchanged,thisstrangevisitorfrom
anotherplanetwouldnotbethereason.

ClarkKentjustlookedatthepaperandsmiled."Itwon’thappenhere,"hewhispered.His

mother,knowingthathewasthinkingoftheworldhe’dlostasachild,squeezedhimtightly.
"No,itwon’t,"sheagreed."Notwithyouaround."

CHAPTEREIGHT:

SUPERBOYLIVES!

TheshadowswerestretchinglongacrosstheKentlawnwhenClarkcameoutontothe

porchlatethatevening."Backsosoon?"Paaskedasherepackedhisafter-dinnerpipe.

"Yeah,"Clarkreplied."Itwasokayandeverything,butIwasreadytoleave.Ididn’tlike

beingthecenterofsomuchattention."

"Well,"Pasaid,"can’tsaythatI’veeverbeenguestofhonorataWhiteHousedinner,but

IimagineI’dfeelprettymuchthesameway."Bothsmiled."So,whatdidyouthinkoftheFirst
Couple?"

"Oh,theywereokay,"Clarkanswered.Ofcourse,thatwasaboutasbadathingashe

eversaidaboutanyone."ThePresidentkepttryingtotalktomeabout‘enhancingour
diplomaticposture.’TheFirstLadykeptencouragingmetotakeanactiverolein‘issue
advocacy.’"Clarkshookhishead.

"Ithinktheymissedthepointofyourspeech,"Pasaidwithagrin."Howwasyourother

dinner?"

"WiththeRussians?Oh,theywereokay.Hewasaprettyfunnyguy.Keptmentioningthat

heneededtochecktheKremlinrecordstoseeiftheyhadbeensendingupanyRussiankidsin
rocketstentofifteenyearsago."Clarklaughed."RedSquarewascoolthough.Ihadn’tseenit
upclosesinceIwas,what,fivewhenIflewtherethattime?Myfirstexperiencewithrestricted
airspace."Helaughedagain."No,theywereallokay."Hehesitated."Andtheywerekindaall
thesame.Theyallwantedsomethingfromme."

Jonathanlithispipeandasked,"Youokaywiththat?"
Clarknodded."Yeah.It’sunderstandable.Iknowthat...I’mlikesomegreatuntapped

naturalresourcetothem.It’snaturalthatthey’dwantto...exploitme.Ijusthavetobecareful
tonotletthem."

"That’sright."Theywerequietforamoment.ThenPasaid,"Haveyouhadanytimeto

thinkaboutwhatweweretalkingaboutbeforeallthisstarted?"

"AboutwhetherIwanttokeepondoingthis?"
"Umhum."
Clarkwasquietforamoment.Thenhesaid,"Yes.Iwanttokeepondoingthis.IknowI

canmakeadifferenceinpeople’slives."

"Butwhataboutyourlife?"
"Well,Ithinkthat’sanotheroneofthosethingsIhavetobecarefulabout.Ican’tgetso

caughtupinbeingSuperboythatIforgettobeClark."Hepaused,thenshookhishead."No,
that’snotright.Ican’ttalkaboutmyselflikeI’mtwodifferentpeople.I’mClark.AndI’m
Superboy.They’rejustdifferentnamesforwhoIreallyam."

"Andwhoisthat?"
Clarksmiled."Isn’tthatoneofthosethingsthatI’msupposedtotakemytimefinding

out?"

"Yes,"Pasaidasheplacedhisbigarmacrosshisboy’sshoulder."Andyouwill."They

werequietforamoment,thenPaasked,"WhataboutLana?"

Clarklookedaway."Iguess...Iguesswebothhavealotofgrowinguptodo.Iguess...

allthatcanwait.Ifshe’s...infatuatedwithSuperboy,well,Iguessthat’sunderstandable.
Doesn’tmean...anything,really.We’vegotplentyoftime."

Papattedhimontheback."Son,sometimesyousoundsomature,youscareme.But

that’sthewayitiswithalotoffolkswhenthey’regrowingup.I’veknownteenagersthatfor
twenty-minutestretchessoundlikethey’rethirty,thenyouturnaroundandthey’reactinglike
nine-year-olds.There’salotaboutlifetosortout,andyouhavetogoastretchtryingon
differentwaysofactingbeforeyoufindtheonethatfitsyou."

"Iguessitjusttakestime."
"Yes,"Pasaid."Andyou’llgetthere."
"Iknow.Itwouldjustbenicetodothingstheeasyway,sometimes."
Palaughed."Hardlyeverhappens."
Clarkgentlypokedhisfatherintheribs."No?Lookatyou.Youwereluckyenoughto

marryyourfirstlove."

JonathanKentsmiled,tookafinalpullonhispipe,andturnedtoopenthescreendoor

andheadinside."Son,"hestoppedandsaid,"Ididn’tmarrymyfirstlove.Iwasluckier.I
marriedmylastone."

CHAPTERNINE:

UPFROMTHESKIES!

ClarkKentwassittingundertheappletreeonthelinebetweentheKentandLang

property.LanaLangwassittingwithhim.

ClarkKentwaslisteningtoLanaLang.
LanaLangwastalkingaboutSuperboy.
"Andwhenhebegantocry,"shewassaying,"itwassosweet!Youcouldseewhata

goodpersonheis,whenhedidthat.Howcouldanyonebescaredofhimafterthat?"

"Well,"Clarkresponded,"itsureseemslikesomepeoplechangedtheirmindsafter

watchingthat."

"Ohyeah,"shegushed."Noonewantshimtoleavenow.NoteventheRussians."
Clarkslowlynodded."Well,I’msurehe,uh,feelsalotbetterknowingthatpeopledon’t…

distrusthimsomuchanymore."

"Don’tdistrusthim!Theylovehim!DidyouseetheheadlineintheGothamGazette?‘WE

OUGHTTOBEASHAMED!’Andtheyshould.Itwasobviousthathewasn’tbad,oranything."

"Well,Lana,maybeitwasn’tsoobvious.Maybeit’snaturalforpeopletobescaredby

thingstheydon’tunderstand.Maybetheyjusthadn’thadmuchofachancetounderstandhim."

"Well,maybe,butIcouldseeitrightaway.He’s…sogood.There’ssomethingabouthim

that’sso…direct.Likeheletsyouseetherealhim…becausehedoesn’thavetoworrythat
you’llfindanythingbadthere."Clarkhadnoresponsetothat.

"Andtothink,"Lanasaid,"thathelivesaroundheresomewhere.Itgivesmechillsjust

thinkingaboutit.Imean,hecouldbe…"sheshruggedhershouldersandlookedatClark,"the
boynextdoor."

Clarksmiled."I’lltellJohnnyWuyouthinkhe’sSuperboy."
Lanagiggled."YouknowwhatImean.It’sjustsoexciting,thatheshouldbefrom

Smallville.Imean,ofalltheplacesontheplanet,helivesinSmallville."

"Justlikeyou."
Shesmiled,andforamomentseemedtobelostinanotherworld."Yeah.Justlikeme."
Clarksawthelookonherface.Suddenlyfeelinglikeanintruder,heslowlynodded,then

quicklystood."Well,Ibettergetinsideandgettosleep.Pa’sgotanearlyshipmentcomingin
tomorrowmorning."

"Oh,"Lanasaid,abitsurprisedbythesuddennessofhisdeparture."Yousureyouhave

togoin?Youknowtheysaythathegoesonpatroleverynightaroundthistime.Maybewe’ll
seehimflyby."

Clarkbithislip.Heunderstoodwhythiswashappening,andheunderstoodhowhehadto

respondtoit.Itdidn’tmakeithurtanyless."Someothertime,"hereplied."Youknowme.I
needmytenhoursofsleep."

"But,"Lanasaid,suddenlybotheredthathewasleavingheralone,"thestarsaren’teven

outyet,Clark."

Thefunnything,Clarkdecided,wasthatevenasshesaidthat,itdidn’tseemtospark

withinheranyrecollectionof...whathadbeenhappeningjustafewweeksearlier.Whatever
elseSuperboymayhavechangedabouttheworld,Clarkknewonlyforsurethathehad
washedawayallthat.

"You’reright,Lana,"hesaid,lookingdirectlyatherforthefirsttimethisevening,"they’re

not."

Ashewalkedaway,Lanawonderedwhyhewasactingsoweird.Ofcourse,Clarkhad

alwaysbeenabitweird,shedecided.Still,thereseemedtobe...something,somethingtugging
ather,somethingcompetingforawarenesswithinher.Somerealizationthat...thingswere
different.Butthen,shethoughtshesawSuperboyflyby,andthen,shecouldn’tevenremember
whatitwasshe’dbeenthinkingabout.

ButSuperboy,flyingby,did.
Andknewthathe,atleast,wouldnever,ever,forget.
Evenifhecould.

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