Clark's pickup truck came to a gentle stop in front of the Ross house.
Pete was waiting, hands stuffed in his coat pockets, eyes fixed on the ground.
Clark rolled down the window.
"Ready?"
Pete looked up slowly, hesitation clear in every movement.
"Thanks for coming, Clark."
Clark just nodded, unlocking the door.
Pete climbed in slowly, settling into the seat beside him.
Silence hung between them for a moment as the truck pulled back onto the road.
Pete pressed his lips together, taking a deep breath before finally breaking the quiet.
"Clark, man… I wanted to thank you."
Clark raised an eyebrow slightly, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Thank me?"
Pete looked out the window.
"Thanks for coming to get me, Clark. Sorry for all the trouble."
Clark kept his hands steady on the wheel, his gaze calm and focused ahead.
"It wasn't any trouble, Pete."
Pete shook his head slowly.
"I disappeared, got you worried, and still needed you to come out here. I know things are different now."
Clark gave a faint smile, his expression serene.
"Not that different. You're still my friend—that hasn't changed."
Pete felt a weight lift off his shoulders, relaxing into the seat bit by bit.
'It's good to know some things are still the same.'
"I just needed some time after what went down with Dante. Thought you'd judge me or something."
Clark turned quickly, locking eyes with Pete.
"I'd never do that."
Pete smiled, feeling genuine relief for the first time in days.
"Thanks, Clark. It's good to know I can still count on you."
Clark returned his gaze to the road, his tone steady.
"Always, Pete. Always."
---
School Newspaper
The newspaper office door opened slowly.
Chloe looked up immediately, her brows furrowing.
"You're late."
Clark closed the door calmly, approaching without haste.
"Had to pick up Pete."
Chloe uncrossed her arms, surprise flickering in her eyes.
"Pete? He finally decided to show up?"
Clark nodded, setting his backpack on a nearby chair.
"He's fine. Talking to the principal now."
Chloe sighed, idly shuffling some papers on the desk.
"Good to know. But you could've given me a heads-up—I was waiting here."
Clark flashed a subtle smile, leaning against the edge of the desk.
"Sorry, didn't know my mistress was so impatient."
Chloe's eyes snapped up, feigning indignation.
"Mistress? Seriously, Clark?"
Clark shrugged, teasing with his gaze.
"You know it's true."
Chloe narrowed her eyes, hiding a smile.
"Funny you'd bring that up, considering your friend Alicia decided to swing by here yesterday."
Clark didn't react, keeping his expression composed.
"Is that so?"
Chloe frowned, irritation creeping back in.
"Yeah, Clark. She came offering to help with the newspaper. Help, can you believe it?"
Clark glanced toward the window, his tone disinterested.
"Maybe she's trying to change."
Chloe huffed softly.
"Or maybe she's just trying to get closer to you."
Clark studied Chloe closely, amused by the hint of jealousy in her voice.
'I rewired Alicia's brain. Chloe's in no danger, so there's no issue with a visit.'
Chloe kept staring, waiting for a reaction.
"You don't seem worried."
Clark smiled faintly, brushing the tips of her fingers on the desk.
"No reason to be. I've got enough trouble with my jealous mistress."
Chloe yanked her hand back, rolling her eyes.
"Jerk."
Clark let out a low chuckle, pleased with her reaction.
"Relax. You're my favorite lunatic."
Chloe rolled her eyes again, trying to suppress a smile as she resumed typing.
'Sometimes I really hate how much I like this idiot.'
---
Kawatche Caves
The lantern's light slid across the ancient walls, revealing drawings that danced under the yellowish glow.
Diana walked slowly, her eyes fixed on the inscriptions with quiet fascination.
'This culture is so rich, so different from Themyscira… It's incredible to think all this is about Clark.'
Kyla followed a few steps behind, her heart racing, nervously twisting her fingers.
'Diana welcomed me into her home, into her relationship with Clark. She deserves to know what happened between us.'
Kyla took a deep breath, steeling herself to break the silence.
"Diana, I need to tell you something."
Diana turned slowly, her serene eyes meeting Kyla's with genuine curiosity.
"Of course, Kyla. Go ahead."
Kyla felt her cheeks warm, quickly averting her gaze to the drawings on the walls.
"I… I kissed Clark."
For a moment, Diana was silent, studying Kyla carefully.
Then, a warm smile spread across her lips.
"Congratulations, Kyla."
Kyla blinked, startled and confused.
"What?"
Diana stepped closer gently, touching Kyla's shoulder with affection.
"It means we're sisters now."
Kyla's mouth fell open, unable to form an immediate response.
'I expected any reaction but this.'
A shy smile slowly crept onto Kyla's face.
"You're not mad?"
Diana shook her head calmly, her expression genuinely welcoming.
"Of course not. I've already accepted you as part of this. That kiss just seals our bond."
Kyla felt something warm bloom in her chest, an unexpected wave of happiness.
"Thank you, Diana."
Diana smiled fondly, turning back to the cave walls.
"Now come on, we've got a lot more to uncover together."
Kyla nodded, feeling lighter as she followed Diana deeper into the caves.
'Sisters… I like that.'
---
Smallville Hospital
The white room was quiet, broken only by the soft hum of the ultrasound machine.
Martha gently squeezed Jonathan's hand, her heart racing as she watched the screen.
The doctor smiled, glancing away from the monitor for a moment.
"Everything's perfect with the baby. Healthy and strong."
Martha let out a relieved sigh, a radiant smile spreading across her face as Jonathan squeezed her hand affectionately.
'We can finally breathe easy.'
A scream shattered the moment's tranquility, coming from the room next door.
"You're wrong! I was pregnant!"
Martha looked up quickly, concern flashing in her eyes.
Jonathan frowned, listening intently.
The doctor's voice came through, firm but patient.
"Ma'am, we've run every possible test. There was no pregnancy."
The woman's voice rose again, desperate and furious.
"I felt my baby! You can't tell me he didn't exist!"
Martha closed her eyes for a moment, her heart aching at the raw pain in the woman's voice.
Jonathan touched her arm gently, offering silent comfort.
The Kents' doctor took a deep breath, explaining in a soft, respectful tone.
"She's been coming here regularly. It's hard to accept, but she was never actually pregnant. It's something emotional, psychological."
Martha nodded slowly, her gaze still heavy with empathy.
"Poor woman… It must be so hard."
Jonathan gave a slight nod, his expression somber.
"I hope she gets the help she needs."
They said goodbye to the doctor, walking slowly down the corridor toward the exit.
The woman was there, leaning against the wall, her gaze vacant and fixed on the floor.
As they passed, her eyes lifted slowly, locking onto Martha's belly.
Martha felt a faint shiver but kept walking beside Jonathan, lightly squeezing his arm.
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, tracking them as they moved away.
'It was supposed to be my baby.'
She clenched her fists at her sides, her heart racing with frustration.
'I'm young. I could love that baby so much more than they can. I deserve that baby more than they do.'
The Kents faded down the corridor, but the image of Martha's belly remained vivid in her mind.
'They won't appreciate what they have. But I… I'd give my life for that baby.'
A dark smile crept slowly across her lips as a decision solidified in her mind.
'I didn't lose my baby. They're just holding him for a while. But I'll take him back.'
She took a deep breath, her gaze hardening with resolve.
'Soon, he'll be where he was always meant to be: with me.'
---
Gotham City
The jet touched down smoothly, gliding along Gotham's wet runway.
Lex gazed out the window as the plane slowed, watching the city's distorted lights shimmer through the raindrops.
'So this is what they call the beating heart of corruption.'
The pilot opened the cabin door, making a discreet gesture.
Lex rose slowly, adjusting his dark overcoat as he walked to the exit.
The cold, damp air hit him immediately as he descended the metal steps.
He took a deep breath, letting Gotham's heavy scent fill his lungs.
"Welcome to the city, Mr. Luthor."
The driver stood waiting beside a sleek black car.
Lex gave a brief nod, pulling his phone from his pocket before sliding inside.
He typed a quick, direct message.
Clark, I'll be out of Smallville for a few days. Business in Gotham. Keep things under control while I'm gone.
Lex pocketed the phone, leaning back comfortably in the leather seat.
The car pulled away silently, carrying him toward the city's depths.
'Now let's see what Gotham really has to offer.'
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