Irene had personally never stepped foot inside of S.T.A.R. Labs, every meeting she had with Dr. Silas Stone until now had been over the phone. He always claimed that he was too busy to meet in person, something Irene knew to be true.

Today was Superman Day and everyone in Metropolis was now gathering in what was now called Heroes Parks. After most of Centennial Park had been destroyed because of the Battle of Metropolis the mayor decided to convert it into a park both celebrating Superman and to remember the lives that were lost because of Zod's invasion.

But although most had been granted permission to leave work to attend the celebration Irene had no doubt that Dr. Stone would not be in attendance. This was the man who refused to attend his own son's football games after all. Superman Day meant nothing to him, all the occupied Dr. Silas Stone's brilliant mind was work.

Approaching the woman at the front desk Irene wondered if she would actually have any chance of being able to meet Dr. Stone today. He could very well refuse, and she would have to resort to more desperate measures of getting the answers she needed.

"Good morning. I'm Irene Miranda from the Daily Planet, and I'm here to see Dr. Silas Stone." Irene declared before the woman could even bother with a greeting. She had no interest in any formalities, just getting what she needed. They had already allowed two days to pass since they discovered the rock and that was two days too many. Every day that passed was a day that was lost. And there would be no knowing the consequences of what this all meant. 

The woman didn't seem pleased as she studied Irene for a moment, possibly having already delt with reporters in the past. "Do you have a meeting with Dr. Stone?"

"No."

"Then I'm afraid you'll have to try to schedule a meeting with Dr. Stone." The woman dismissed as she continued to type away at her keyboard, clearly having not appreciating Irene taking up her time.

"Tell him Irene Miranda is here to see him." She insisted, looking at the woman pointedly waiting for her to pick up the phone. It must have become clear to her that Irene wouldn't take no for an answer, and she could very well be calling security. But to Irene's relief that wasn't the case. 

Irene didn't even bother to take a seat as she waited knowing that her nerves would get the best of her if she did. It wasn't long before an angry Silas Stone appeared, his face void of any emotion. Ever so stoic and unfeeling, not even a glimmer of recognition shined in his eyes when he stopped before her .

Regardless, Irene offered a practiced and polite smile. "Silas. I have to say I'm offended that you haven't been answering my calls."

"Miss Miranda I would have assumed that you would have understood by now that I have no further interest in your little investigation."

He made no attempt to hide the irritation in his voice. But Irene didn't let that faze her as it was a reaction that she anticipated. Afterall she did come to the labs where he worked demanding the time he refused to give her. "Well, I have something that I think may interest you."

Silas was silent for a moment, but ultimately his curiosity won over reason. He was a man of ambition, and would never refuse being involved in a scientific discovery. "And what is that?"

Looking around the S.T.A.R. Labs lobby with distaste at all the wondering eyes Irene shook her head in response. "How about we talk somewhere more private?"

Silas didn't say a word as he simply motioned for her to follow. Every corner of S.T.A.R. Labs was a technological marvel, it was what one would have imagined the future to look like. There was no knowing what studies were actually being conducted in the immense building, but Irene was sure that each study was a large story in it's own right. And the urge to uncover those stories called to Irene, but there were more important things to focus on. This had become more than just a story, Clark's live could very well be on the line if she didn't find the truth in time. 

"So what is it this time?" Dr. Stone questioned once they finally arrived at his office. An office that didn't seem welcoming or personal at all. There were no photographs of his family or any decorum that gave away any interest or hobbies. Just plain walls and a spotless desk. 

"Like you already know I've been investigating the closure of Cadmus Labs and Emmette Vale's interest in Kryptonian technology." Irene began to explain as she placed the glowing green rock out of the pouch she placed it in and on Silas's desk. The man's eyes immediately went wide as he put his glasses on wanting to take a closer look at the mysterious rock from another planet. "I found this in the abandoned Cadmus building. And I need you to take a closer look at it for me."

"Whatever this rock is, it negatively affects Superman. I assume you can understand why in the wrong hands it can be incredibly dangerous."

"Dangerous only to your alien boyfriend."

Choosing to ignore his words that were clearly meant to gain some kind of reaction from her, Irene took the rock off the table just as Silas made a move to reach for it. Irene knew that he wouldn't refuse. Stone was an incredibly ambitious man who highly valued the sciences. Victor had never been shy to express how his father put his work above everything else in his life. It was this ambition that would cause the older scientist to accept.

"Is this you refusing to conduct research on the Kryptonian stone?"

Silas Stone shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes never leaving the glowing rock in Irene's hands. "I didn't say that."

"Great." Irene declared as she placed the green rock back on the desk as she stood. "I'll be back in two days to go over what you've found."

After years of navigating in a male dominated field and having to deal with powerful men Irene found that being assertive was the only way that she would be taken seriously. That she should never ask for something but demand it. A trait that Silas Stone admired about the girl.

"Always a pleasure Irene."

Irene smiled in return, aware of the heavy sarcasm in the man's voice. "Two days Silas."

Once again, those were two days that they didn't have the luxury of wasting. She was already twisting Dr. Stone's arm, two days was too short of a time to fully study this rock from another planet.

But if anyone could do it, it was Dr. Silas Stone. 

The newly renamed Heroes Park was located at the heart of Metropolis. And it seemed that the entire city had decided to join in on the celebration. Truthfully Metropolis was still healing from the invasion, so many lives were lost that day and almost everyone was mourning in some way.

The citizens of Metropolis needed this celebration. Needed to come together to celebrate the small glimmer of hope among all the pain and grief. Not only was the city fascinated by the last son of Krypton, but the entire world was looking at Metropolis's caped hero from another world.

"I can't believe that we are some of the few people who have actually met Superman." Jimmy said, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. It was no surprise that Jimmy had become absolutely fascinated by Superman. It was no different from his fascination with Gotham's bat vigliante and his sidekicks.

Looking at him now Irene felt like it was impossible to take Jimmy Olsen seriously. Although they were mainly here for work, that didn't stop Jimmy from dressing in head-to-toe Superman merchandise.

"That is pretty cool." Mia muttered as she crossed her arms in disappointment. A glimmer of jealousy in her brown eyes.

A small smile touched Irene's lips knowing that Mia had also met Superman, even though she didn't know it.

"It was fucking awesome."

"Jimmy!" Irene scolded, though she was very aware of Jimmy's inability to filter the words that came out of his mouth.

"Sorry." He replied, but there was still a look of mischief in his eyes that gave away the fact that he could be far from sorry. "But like also not sorry."

Rolling her eyes Irene looked down at her watch. In just a couple of minutes Superman was going to be accepting the key to the city as a new statue of the hero was revealed at the center of Hero's Park. On the anniversary of the city's worst tragedy the grief could still be felt, but along with that grief was the hope for a better tomorrow.

Superman was that hope.

"Make sure to get a good shot of Superman accepting the key from the mayor." She ordered her focus now on the article that she was to write for tomorrow's morning paper. This was going to be a front page story and it had to be flawless. Especially now that she was on the shortlist for the Pulitzer, she couldn't let that opportunity slip through her fingers. She had dreamed of getting a Pulitzer since she was a young girl and now that she was so close to the dream she couldn't imagine failing.

"I thought Clark was coming?" Jimmy questioned instead, choosing to ignore her demands. She never had to ask Jimmy to get the perfect shot, he always did without little effort on his part.

A smirk appeared on Mia's lips as the girl looked up at her aunt. "Tia Irene, is Clark your boyfriend?"

"Clark's meeting up with us later." Irene replied to Jimmy before turning towards Mia who was looking at her with raised eyebrows. "And no. Clark isn't my boyfriend."

A knowing smile appeared on her niece's lips, and for once Irene cursed the fact that the girl was so smart and intuitive. "But you want him to be."

"She totally wants him to be." Jimmy immediately added.

"Shut up the both of you."

"See she didn't deny it." Jimmy whispered to Mia who nodded in response as she looked at her aunt seriously.

Irene glared at Jimmy having had enough of this conversation. She already felt a blush creeping up on her cheeks and didn't appreciate all the teasing from both her niece and her best friend. Luckily Jimmy knew Irene well enough to drop the subject as he began taking more photographs of the event.

In a matter of seconds the ceremony had begun with thousands cheering in excitement. The crowd remained anxiously silent as the mayor spoke of the tragedy that had struck not only Metropolis but the world only a year ago. About how they have been able to rebuild the city stronger than before. That now they had a hero watching over them.

And it wasn't until Irene heard the mayor speak of hope and the things that Superman had given and would continue to give to this city that Irene understood the weight that Clark had to be carrying on his shoulders. That now not only was the entire city looking at him, but the entire world too. And Irene knew that Clark would take on that bourden without a single complaint.

So maybe that was why when Superman finally arrived at the ceremony she didn't entirely share the crowd's excitement. Instead she wondered what could possibly be going through Clark's mind as he accepted all the responsibility that was being given to him.

As the ceremony ended with confetti and celebratory music, Jimmy and Mia began to excitedly discuss Superman and how exciting it was that he made an appearance. Instead of joining in on the conversation Irene started writing down points that she wanted to discuss in her article.

She had been entirely focused on what she was writing in her notebook that she was startled when someone placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, I'm a little bit late." Clark apologized as he nervously adjusted his tie. He met Irene's eyes with a knowing smile before turning to Mia and Jimmy.

"You missed the best part." Mia stated with a pout, her previous nervousness around Clark now gone.

"What was the best part?"

The young girl's face went deadly serious as she looked up at Clark with irritation. Not aware that Clark was only teasing her. "Superman. Duh?"

Clark smiled, a smile that revealed his small town roots. No matter how long he had been living in a bustling city like Metropolis, his farm boy charm always shined through. At the end of the day he was still Clark Kent from Smallville. "Really? I was under the impression that the food was the best part."

Irene watched as Clark and Mia headed to one of the nearest food stands. The selections of deep fried foods didn't please her but there was something about seeing Clark getting along with Mia that caused her heart to skip a beat. Maybe it was this moment that she finally understood what she felt for Clark, and how incredibly dangerous and forbidden it felt. But along with those feelings of worry came the realization that she wanted nothing more than to let that feeling take over all reason.

"You like him." Jimmy suddenly stated, and it wasn't until that moment that Irene realized that she was staring.

Looking towards her friends questioning eyes Irene immediately shook her head ready to deny it all. "Jimmy..."

"I've known you for five years Irene. Give me a little credit." Jimmy began as he took a large bit out of his corndog, not letting the fact that his mouth was full stop him from continuing to talk. "Whether it's the Clark thing or something else. I know you're hiding something."

Irene really didn't know what to say. She didn't lie to Jimmy. They had always been incredibly transparent with each other, but the secret she kept wasn't her secret to share.

"The other day Clark and I discovered a mysterious rock at the old Cadmus building. We think it might be from Krypton."

"What?"

"I made a visit to Dr. Stone today, so hopefully we'll be getting a definitive answer. This whole story has just got me a little stressed, Jimmy." Irene said instead. There was no lie in her words, this was something that she hadn't told anyone else. And although she felt guilty for being so secretive with her best friend she simply wasn't ready to accept those feelings that she wanted to keep buried down.

"I'm getting a little deja vu here and I don't like it." Jimmy replied, and he was right. Only a year from now they had found themselves involved in a Kryptonian feud, and now the past seemed to be repeating itself. 

A/N: Its about that time to get into the main plot of the story as we continue with the mystery. Which probably isn't much of a mystery for those of you that read the comics. But I'm finally back to writing and there will be more updates coming soon.