Young Heroes Episode 11

Death and Love

(Clark munched on his mom's cookies as he entered the barn to see if his dad wanted any)

(He rounded the corner and found...his father laying on the ground)

Clark: "Dad!!! Dad no..dad please...!"

(Four days later...)

(Leaves blew through the air, the landscape was quiet and still)

(Clark stood over his father's casket with an empty look in his eyes)

(On either side of him stood Lois and Diana, both holding one of his hands)

(Bruce, Peter, Logan, Mary Jane and Selina also attended along with many of Smallville's citizens)

(Martha cried as Clark went to hug her, he could barely comfort his mother when his own pain was still so fresh)

(Later that evening...)

(Clark stared out at the night's sky in the loft of his barn when he heard footsteps climbing the stairs)

(Diana hesitantly approached)

Diana: "Hi.."

Clark: "..hi."

(His voice was so quiet, she almost didn't hear him)

Diana: "I..thought I'd..come check on you..to um...let you know that I am here for you..for whatever you need."

Clark: "...thanks Diana. I..I really appreciate that."

(She nodded nervously and joined him by the window)

Clark: "I wish I'd spent more time here. Metropolis took up too much of my time..I should have been here.."

Diana: "But you were here...you were here when it mattered most. And do you know when else you were there?"

(Clark looked away but she took his cheek in her hand and looked him in the eye)

Diana: "When I hesitated..at the gateway. When just for a moment...I thought..my life may not be worth it...but then you were there...and you smiled at me...and with just a small look...you gave me all the reason in the world..to continue on..and I...I can never repay you for that.."

(Clark was stunned by the sincerity in her voice and the vulnerability in her eyes, and somehow..he'd never truly realized how beautiful she was until this moment..)

(He started to lean in, Diana almost did too..but she stopped herself)

Diana: "No..no Clark, we can't.."

Clark: "Oh..I..I thought this was what you wanted.."

Diana: "..it is. Believe me, it is. But not like this. You are grieving your father. And Lois...Lois does not deserve this."

(Clark swallowed and stepped back, nodding slightly)

Clark: "Yeah..yeah of course. You're right. I'm sorry I.."

Diana: "Please do not apologize. You have no reason to."

(She smiled and started to leave when she remembered something)

Diana: "Oh by the way. What was up with the way you were acting in the space base last week?"

Clark: "What..? What are you talking about?"

Diana: "I knew it. It was not you."

Clark: "Diana, I don't know what you're.."

Diana: "Some sort of imposter. He acted like a complete hooligan. Whatever he is, the team and I will get to the bottom of it."

Clark: "Wait. Let me help."

Diana: "Clark, no. You need to be here. For your mother. She needs you most right now. Let me take the lead on this one."

(Clark slowly nodded and sighed)

Diana: "I will fill you in on what we find. And one..one more thing..."

(She took his hand and looked him deeply in the eye)

Diana: "...I love you.."