Son of Krypton, Daughter of Earth

Operation Close Sesame

"You will," Clark said. "Earth will need you after this."

"I'll be here," she said.

"Time," said Barry.

Clark threw his cup in the trash and walked onto the machinery platform. Kara retreated into an observation room to prevent exposure to gold kryptonite. Barry and Emil began the procedure.

"Gold kryptonite in the fuel tank," said Emil.

Barry moved the rock to the tank where it would power the machinery.

"Power," said Emil.

"On, 25 percent," said Barry.

"Kal, how do you feel," said Emil, watching a gauge.

"Same," said Clark-Kal-El.

"Power check," said Emil.

Barry and Kara watched gauges, Superman, the machinery.

"Power check," said Emil.

"Ninety-five percent," said Barry.

Clark took a deep breath. Operation Close Sesame was underway.

"Power check," said Emil.

"One-hundred percent," said Barry.

"Charge," said Emil.

"Charge full," said Barry.

"Fire on countdown of three," said Emil. "Three, two, one, fire."

Barry opened a control and pushed the button. "Fire." The platform vibrated, the room glowed gold, and returned to normal.

No one spoke. Clark looked around.

Barry said, "How are you, Kal?"

"Alright, but I can't fly. Did it work?

Emil checked gauges and monitors. "Yes. Operation Sesame is a success. The Zone is closed again." No one cheered the success of Operation Close Sesame.

*

Clark watched the news that night in his apartment on Clinton Street. Spaghetti and meatballs sat untouched on the plate and coffee, better that that of the Lab cafeteria, was cold. Several news anchors reported the disappearance of Superman, believed to be dead, in ending access between the Phantom Zone and Earth. Zod was no longer a threat.

Interviews with politicians, superheroes and ordinary people were aired where they gave their thoughts on the loss of Superman. Most of them mourned him, and praised his heroism. Mayor Luther came on Galaxy News, interviewed by Lois, praising the late Kryptonian, a thin veneer over his satisfaction. Lois seemed drained, but did her job stoically.

Clark left for Smallville the next morning, on a regular jet. He felt out-of-place, but not disoriented. This is your life now, Clark. Learn to like it. An average, ordinary life. So many people, like Lexy and Ma and Pa, have this only, and are happy. Lexy, I hope you're happy, beloved. He looked out the window, at the familiar sight of Earth below, with its roads, fields, and cities for a while, then closed his eyes and slept.

*

Lexy ate a tasteless dinner, aware of the empty place where Clark used to sit. She cleaned the kitchen, and went out. She walked for a while, then took a bus across town to a bookstore with a large selection of comics. She rooted through the offerings. One cover showed Superman flying with Lois in his arms. She winced and put it back.

Clark had carried her to the ambulance in Midtown Park when she transported there, but they had never flown together. She wondered what flying with him might be like, but actually missed walking hand in hand with him in the city, or sitting next to him as he worked on his novel while she read. She wanted to hear his footsteps in the apartment, and listen to his day, his ordinary life as Clark, and his activities as Superman.

She bought several comics, including some featuring the Justice League, one with Batman, another with Lois, Clark and a child. She returned home and read the comics, but couldn't remember what she read. The stories weren't quite the Clark she loved, and Lois wasn't the Lois she knew. The Kents were dead in this version, and there was no Larry. She put the comics away and went to bed, tossing and turning.

Lexy worked hard then next day, trying to get tired so she'd go to sleep early. At least she didn't miss Clark when she slept. At quitting time, she met Pris and Dex and a few of their friends, lawyers, managers and junior partners. One of the junior partners smiled at her. Pris said, "We're going out for drinks. Please take Bootsie to the vet tomorrow to have his bad nail removed. You can pick him up Monday."

"Sure." Lexy said. She'd have liked to join them for drinks, talk to the smiling junior partner, anything to get her mind off Clark, but the partners, lawyers, and management considered socializing with an office staff breaking ranks, unless the person was very attractive or rich. Pris had always considered her friends a cut or two above Lexy. "See you Monday." She walked to the elevators.

She heard Dex say something about her joining them, but Pris said, "She misses that guy she brought back. He went back where he came from. She's just needs time alone to get over it." The elevator door opened, Lexy got on, and pushed the button for the lobby.

*

Clark spent a week in Smallville, working on the farm, helping Larry as his abilities began to develop, waxing and waning erratically. Buttercup, the goat, followed the boy around the farm. Clark had had dogs, but Larry seemed happy with the goat. Clark spent evenings working on his novel, playing cards and games with the Kents and Larry, and talking about whatever came to mind. He went into Smallville, walking the streets of the town he grown up in.

STAR Labs wanted to keep Larry longer, and the Kents were happy to keep him. Larry was thrilled. He started Smallville High School, repeating his sophomore year to catch up on classes. Jonathan drove Clark to the airport in Dodge the next day.