Super Dad Chp 1

"I need to stop leaving my DNA everywhere," Superman stated, plopping himself onto the couch in Brainy's lab.

Brainy's hands stilled over his computer, turning to raise an eyebrow at him.

"If it wasn't you I would have taken that statement negatively. In any case, clarify what you mean by that."

"I've been cloned again," Superman looked up but then frowned. "Or would this be the first time since I'm talking about the past? But I met Kel first, but he's from even further in the future then you are, but-"

"Clark," Brainy rubbed his brow, "If you try to understand the Gordian knot which is the time stream your head will explode and I just finished repairing everything after the last time your heat vision went off."

A dark blush swept across Superman's face as he remembered that day. He really should learn to knock, especially when Brainy could be showering to rid himself of spilt chemicals. Then again, that's probably why he never knocked.

"So you met Superboy," Brainy prodded.

"You knew this would-" Superman sighed. "Of course you knew this would happen."

"You know I can't tell you about the past," Brainy reminded him.

"I know; no untying the Gordian knot."

"Actually in the myth the Gordian knot was never untied. Alexander-"

"Brainy, as much as I love your educational rants, may I have a venting one now?" Superman peered up at Brainy, something he rarely did since he has been taller then Brainy since the day he met.

Superman took a moment to absorb Brainy and how much he has changed. The biggest thing was changing from an android to a green human. The change rid him of the black lines, numerous tools and weapons at his disposal but being organic also gave him a growth spurt. Though he was still shorter then average. And fighting in the Legion gave him more muscle but only enough to be toned rather then muscular like most of the Legion men. Lastly Brainy's eyes had gone from magenta to green. Superman often missed those magenta eyes but the green ones held such beauty as well, if only because they were Brainy's.

The Coluan fully turned his chair to give Superman his full attention. With a smile of thanks, Superman told Brainy how the sidekicks had gone to investigate a fire and found Superboy.

"He just… lifted his torn shirt to show me his-my crest and looked at me so… expectantly. I didn't know what I say, I could barely say anything at all, and what I did say was stupid… Then I just left."

Brainy regarded him a moment before smiling. "Clark, I love you but you're an idiot," he stated.

All Superman could do was stare at him opened mouth.

"This isn't like Kel," Brainy began. "Kel was the same age as you when you met, and he had parental role models. Superboy may look like a teenager but he's essentially a child and you're the only thing close to a parent, at this point, that he has. Responding like that was a giant rejection. How would you feel if Jonathon and Martha turned their backs on you when you were new to your powers? Like leaving you alone in a new world to you, just like the world is new to him?"

Slowly Superman sat up, holding the pillow, more then likely stolen from their bedroom for when Brainy crashed on the couch in the lab, to his chest.

"I'm a jerk…"

Brainy chuckled, "I wouldn't go that far. You were shocked at your first meeting; it's understandable. What would make you a jerk is if you continue to keep your distance from him."

Superman fiddled with the pillow.

"I don't think I could be a good Dad."

"Are you kidding? You'd be a SuperDad."

"Not funny Brainy."

"Sorry, but sometimes it's just too easy."

He hesitated but Superman looked up at Brainy.

"Will you help me?"

-------------------------------------------

The Young Justice team was in their civvies in the kitchen when Red Tornado found them. Wally was eating some burnt muffins that M'gann made while Robin and Kaldur taught Kon how to play Go Fish. Robin had just accused Kon of using X-ray vision when Red Tornado played an audio style of an average adult male clearing his throat.

"Superboy, you have visitors," Red Tornado announced.

Instantly the room fell silent.

"Who would visit Kon?" Wally asked around a mouthful of muffins, then his eyes widened and he quickly swallowed before turning to the cloned boy. "No offense."

"I was wondering the same thing," Kon admitted.

"The best way to find out is to go see," commented Artemis, returning from a solo sparring session with Black Canary.

"Yeah, let's go," Robin cheered as he stood.

Red Tornado raised a hand, stopping them.

"This visit is for Kon alone."

"But we're his backup signers!" Wally protested.

"Oh, we're doing Karaoke night again?" M'gann asked excitedly.

"Red Tornado said this visit is for Kon, get your nose out of his business," Artemis snarled at Wally.

"Get your nose out of my business," Wally snapped back.

As they argued, Red Tornado led Kon away towards a meeting room.

Robin put a hand on Wally's shoulder to silence him.

"Good work on being a distracting. We now know where they're going, we can follow them."

"What- yes, that's exactly what I meant to do," Wally nodded.

Kaldur stood, "We have no way of knowing the nature of this visit, and we should allow Kon privacy."

"Nyah," Wally and Robin chorused, grabbing Kaldur's arms and dragging him towards the meeting room, a giggling M'gann following them along with a grumbling Artemis.

After escorting Kon to the meeting room, Red Tornado went to speak with someone sitting at the table. Kon didn't see who because he was far too focused on the person standing before him; Superman.

"Hello Kon," Superman said slowly, Kon only able to nod in response. "How have you been?"

Kon knew he knew how to talk. He's done it before, multiple times. Why weren't words coming out?

"I don't recall the historical logs saying he was mute," a voice Kon had never heard before chuckled.

It took some effort but Kon tore his eyes off of Superman and turned to the new voice, the one who had been speaking with Red Tornado at the table.

This new person was green just like-

"Hi!" M'gann threw open the door, causing Robin and Wally to fall through the doorway. She flew over to Brainy, grinning widely. "I didn't know Superman had any Martian friends besides Uncle J'onn. How are things on Mars?"

"Way to stay undercover M'gann," Robin grumbled, pushing Wally off of him.

"No one told her no one was supposed to see us," Wally protested.

"What does she think "spying" means?" Robin hissed.

"I suppose keeping the number of people exposed to me low is no longer an option," Brainy half chuckled. "My name is Querl Dox, and I'm not a Martian," M'gann pouted, "I'm Coluan."

"Never heard of them," said Wally.

"If I hadn't come along I doubt you ever would have," stated Brainy.

"Brainy is from the future. When I was young heroes from that time came and brought me there to help me learn to use my powers," Superman explained, then cleared his throat before turning to Kon. "I thought a similar experience might help you."

"Yes!" Kon smiled but then cleared his throat. "Yes, that might help."

"I definitely see the resemblance," Brainy smiled at Superman.

It must have been a trick of the eyes but Kon could have sworn he saw Superman smile back at Brainy, if only for a second.

"Alright, road trip," Wally cheered. "Or would this me a time warp?"

"Again?" Robin smirked.

"This trip is just for Superboy," said Superman.

"Not fair," Wally whined.

"Butt out of it concrete for brains," Artemis hissed, punching his arm.

"You are so unlady like," Wally grumbled.

When Artemis reeled back to punch Wally again, Robin pulled him out of the way, calling him an idiot.

"He'll be back before you know it," Brainy pulled out a remote and called the time bubble, the door opening for them. "Hop in."

Kon glanced back at his friends and then at Superman before climbing into the time bubble, followed by Brainy and Superman.

Just as the door began to close Wally reached into his pocket, pulling out his camera.

"Superboy, take pictures of the future for me!"

Speeding forward, dragging along Robin who tried to hold him back, Wally tried to slip the camera under the door but got his hand stuck.

"Uh guys…"

"Idiot," Robin shouted, trying to pull him free.

Kaldur, Artemis and M'gann grabbed hold to help just as the time bubble left for the future, taking them all along for the ride.