Monday, May 14th, 2017. 11:45 PM.
• • •

It was late now, and as I sat in the kitchen wearing Ingrid's extra pajamas, a half glass of orange juice sat next to me, I tried the number again. My phone pressed to my ear, and it was ringing. Pick up, pick up. Ben had called me only moments after I had arrived, and I missed the call. We have since been playing phone tag all night. I needed to tell him what was about to happen, so he isn't blindsided. We've been having trouble communicating lately, and as much as I wish I could go home and fall asleep in his arms, my heart screams for me not to betray Clark.

Lights flicked on, and I hear a breath behind me. Turning, I see Bruce; we lock eyes and his dark brown ones have a new emotion in them that I can't quite place. It was only there for a breath before it's gone. He's in uniform minus his cowl, his eyes aren't rimmed with dark charcoal yet, and his face is softer then I've ever seen it. It isn't the first time I've seen him in his suit, but it's the first time seeing him in the suit has my heart pattering like a jack rabbit's foot.

"We're leaving in twenty minutes. Barry will be driving the truck with Arthur, Victor, and the casket in the back. Once inside the facility, we will head straight toward the Kryptonian ships Amniotic Chamber. From there we will charge the Mother Box, and then Clark will be alive again."

He was very matter of fact, and towards the end, his voice strained a bit. He doesn't even miss a beat when his words make me wince.

Casket rings in my ears, and it hangs in the air.

"Annie, this will work. I'm bringing him home."

I nod, not meeting his eyes. My glossy nails tap lightly against my glass as I nod again, and again.

I know he's coming home. I know.

"Ingrid told me she'd be with me the entire time as a guard just in case Steppenwolf realizes where I am," I tell him.

"Yes, you will be only a few blocks away from the facility. We want you there just in case-,"

"Things go wrong." I finish for him.

He nods.

"Okay."

I contemplate telling him about the woman, and the assassination attempt, but think otherwise, tonight had too much riding on it. There was no need to add fuel to the already raging fire. I swallowed my words and watched him from across the room. We stare at each other for a long moment, and I wonder what else he has to say, but he nods and turns on his heel. I follow him out of the kitchen, first placing the cup in the sink, and as he goes straight, I turn and head upstairs. I can hear Ingrid and Arthur's voice as I walk up the stairs and down the hall to my room. The door opens as I step in front of my door and turn to see Arthur in his armor, lean down and kiss Ingrid. When they part, their foreheads touch for a moment before she hands him his trident and watches him walk away.

Ingrid turns to me and smiles, "We'll leave at 4:30. Get some sleep, Annie."

Tuesday, May 15th, 4:25 AM.

• • •

I was oddly very calm as I zipped up my jeans. My hands weren't shaking, and as I slipped on my white t-shirt and glanced at my tired reflection in the mirror, I wondered if I would get nervous. My side was throbbing, and I wondered if I should call for pain killers but I knew if I didn't keep the extent of my injuries to myself, Bruce wouldn't let me go. With the last extra moments, I concealed the dark heavy bags under my eyes, popped on mascara and lip balm, slipped my boots on and opened my door to a waiting Ingrid. We didn't speak as she drove, I wasn't in the mood to talk.

My mind should be racing right now, filled with a million thoughts and what-ifs, but it was blank. My eyes were cast on the scenery rushing by, but I wasn't taking in anything I was seeing. Ingrid had turned on music, lowering the volume, so it was barely audible. Her grip on the steering wheel was tight, and her jaw was clenched. Every so often, her light brown eyes would graze over me, and I could almost hear the words threatening to spill from her lips.

Soon, we pulled into a parking garage adjacent to the facility. The air was thick now - thick with anticipation, and my mind started to race. What if he doesn't want to see me? What if he's mad? What if he doesn't remember? Ingrid's voice broke through my boggled mind.

"I didn't know you were in a relationship. Seeing..." Her voice trailed off, and she looked at me expectantly.

"Ben."

"Yeah, Ben. I know Arthur wasn't expecting it. How long have you guys been dating?" She asked. Her small body turned to me in the seat, and I wondered how she was going to protect me.

I just looked at her. This-this is not what I wanted to talk about at this moment. I took in her curly hair and light brown eyes shining at me behind large glasses. I've seen her with and without them, so I didn't think they were prescription, but she tilted her head, and I saw the distinct bifocal line.

"Bruce says you're my protection?" The words came out with more acid then I had wanted and her face blanched for just a moment.

Ingrid's fingers fumbled with her jacket hem, and she sighed, "I know I don't look like much, but I'm as strong as Arthur. I will protect you."

I stared at her, sighing, "Six months." I answered.

Her brow furrowed before she caught up, "I shouldn't have asked that especially now."

I opened my mouth to respond, but she spoke again, "It's okay, Annie."

I hummed a response and turned my gaze to the facility. It was dark and the air grew heavy again, it weighed down on me and Ingrid understood I was done talking.  A heavy vibration against my leg and a shrill ringtone caught my attention.

"Ben!" I gasped, answering the phone.

"Annie, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I need to tell you something."

My heart hammered in my chest as I tried to figure out how to say what I needed to say. Once these words left my mouth I had no control over what would happen to us, I just knew I wasn't ready to lose him.

Outside my window, the pink of the sunrise began to swim across the sky, and I glanced at my watch. 5:42 AM.

"Annie." Ingrid pointed out across the way her eyes wide. A geyser of water had shot out of the top of the facility, and we watched as a figure flew away. I hung up my phone and scrambled from the car.

"Oh my god."

"Annie! Get in the car we have to go!"

• • •

Things had gone wrong. Clark, confused, angry, and unrelenting had attacked the people who had resurrected him. I so badly wanted to leave the car, but Ingrid kept a firm, strong hold on my arm as we watched from our seats. When we pulled up Clark had tossed Arthur like he weighed nothing and I heard Ingrid take a quick breath. She was worried for him and I spared no glance in her direction. Clark had my complete attention.

His body was strong and powerful as he fought off the heroes. Hair perfectly laid and shiny, unmoving as he head butted Wonder Woman, rising high in the air. His dark blue trousers hugged his hips and I was so glad Martha had chosen the navy suit- he had looked so nice in it.

A black blur ran by our car, and the tension peaked once Clark caught sight of Bruce. I squinted trying to see if Clark's tense shoulders would ease, but he was angry, lips thin as he grimaced at the man who had inadvertently caused his death. Memories of that night welled up fast and quick and Ingrid shook my arm pulling me from that dark night.

"Annie. Go." Her voice was determined as she slipped from the car looking for Arthur.

I struggled with the door handle, my hands shaking, and numb as I climb out of the car. The grass was soft under my feet as they carried me to him. High in the sky he held a helpless Batman, dangling him by the neck with one hand. My body was hot and my vision was blurring as tears pricked my eyes, with ragged breaths I stopped, placing a hand to my chest I called his name.

In an instant his body froze, his grip stilled firm around Bruce's neck and his shoulders eased as his head turned, eyes grazing over my body. I let out a choked sob as we locked eyes and he tossed Bruce aside. The sheer power of him was terrifying me, and as he walked towards me all emotion or fear I had disappeared.

We stood in front of each other and his brow was stitched together, confused and amazed as he took in my face. I walked to him, scared to touch him but craving his warmth all the same. He didn't speak to me just stared and I tentatively touched his arm before gripping it tightly. I looked at my hand touching his skin and looked back up into his eyes.

"Clark," I breathed, and pulled him into my arms. His body was stiff and wet and he took a moment to relax into me. Bodies pressed together and my fingers trailed up his shoulder to the nape of his neck as I tried to be closer to him. I wanted to be as close as possible. Clark's lips pressed into my hair as he leaned over me his arms encircling my waist. I heard him inhale deeply, his face burrowing more into my neck as his arms secured me closer to his body.
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He smelled the same. He felt the same. Everything was the same, but everything was so different. My arms tightened around his neck and as tears finally began to fall, heavy and wet I spoke again.

"I want to be alone with you, Clark. Anywhere. Please."

He nodded into my neck, his breath shivered down my spine as he whispered my name before tighten his hold. One arm secured me around the waist pressing me into him while the other slipped up my neck resting against the base of my skull, fingers entwined in my hair. With practice and ease I braced my self for the weightless as Clark rose into the air. Wind howled in my ears and whipped my hair as he flew, holding me tighter and tighter. I gripped his body tightly and closed my eyes.

Tears dried on my cheeks and so smiled into his skin, I was happy. So very happy.

• • •

So sorry this took so long to update. I've been crazy busy with school and also hit a long writer's block. I'm not satisfied with this chapter, but I hope you all enjoy it. I may rewrite parts that bug me.

Let me know what you think!!