E-42 Place of Hope

Our One Great source of Hope (Updated Earth-42)
“Detective, how are you?” Harrison Wells said from the 'entryway' to STAR Labs.
“I'm alright, Dr Wells, thank you. I was hoping I could enlist that huge science brain of yours to solve an annoyingly enigmatic case of mine, and catch a killer in the process.”
“Are you asking me because I'm a scientist or because I'm the biggest enigma you know?”
“Both actually. He is...one of the wild-world of weird cases we've been busy chasing down.”
“The reason you don't want Barry on the case taking down this particular bad guy with us?”
“The case is the murder of Nora Allen...Barry's mother.” All calm and humor evaporated from Well's face. It actually took a few moments for him to speak again. “Why don't we get to the science-y part of this building. We've some things we need to discuss.
Wells led Detective West into the anteroom of the facility he built. Within an hour Joe West and Harrison Wells were consumed with analyzing the physical evidence, and implications of a murder that had brought Joe's family together...and led to the Particle Accelerator and the meta-human hero known as the Flash.
“Someone or something impossible killed Nora Allen that night. He killed more than just Barry's family actually. And yes, my accelerator created the meta-humans we deal with on a daily basis. These freaks were my fault, I can't deny that and I haven't. But my work is not the only source of trouble for this city, and not every wild and weird story comes out of my experiments.” His voice took on a dangerous edge. “I am fairly certain that monster had nothing to do with me, no one knew who I was yet.”
“The timing is more than a little suspicious don't you think?” Joe said is a deliberate, slow tone, openly challenging the genius who wormed his way into their lives without a word of his own origins. A challenge that was met with a steely glare.
“Ask the man in yellow for why he showed up when he did, outta the blue. He thinks for himself and changed the world overnight. Whatever the heck drew him here, why we've never even seen him since...” Harrison Wells took a physical step back. “Yeah, the timing is less than coincidental. But if you're looking for explanations for it, I don't know the why...and as far as the how I'm as in the dark as you are.”
Detective Joe West stared at the normally unflappable man who had unraveled before him. There was not a lot that could rile a self-possessed professionally restrained man like Harrison Wells. It was one of the reasons he'd felt safe coming to the man with his suspicions, that he knew sounded like accusations. Somehow he had a feeling that it was something way more personal than Joe's rush to judgment that had animated him so completely.
“You've seen him too.” Detective West realized aloud.
“Fourteen years ago.” Harrison replied sadly. “He's why I moved to Central City in the first place. Meting him that night is why I created started the foundations for STAR Labs when I did. What he took from me, is why it took 14 years to achieve my life's dream.” Sinking into a desk chair Wells put his hands over his face. When he did look up, Joe was staring at him with an expression he'd never shown the man before: a look of compassion. “Joe, Barry doesn't know my story. He has enough on his heart, he's been through enough trying to catch up with this creep. And I know him well. The fact that my masterpiece cause more suffering and more monsters is something I have to live with every day. But THIS monster, he's the one pulling the strings and I want answers as badly as you do. But I don't have them Joe. The sum of all my answer, my entire life and attitude, my reply to this is summed up thusly: If your chasing the man in Yellow, you cannot find a stronger ally than me. If you want answers about MY life story, look up Tess Morgan. More specifically, look up where she was December 15^th 2002. Then decide if I have a good enough reason for keeping my past to myself.”
When Detective Joe West walked into the Cortex at precisely 7:03 pm that evening, he looked like he wanted to bury his head in a bag of potatoes. He didn't sit down, only tapped on the door-frame to signify his presence. Wells waved him in but did not verbally acknowledge his presence, until Joe placed a box of very expensive Irish Whiskey on the table.
“I take it you're not here to make more accusations.” Wells said briskly..
“Doctor Wells, I don't know what to say. I looked up Tess Morgan...I'm sorry I had no idea. When you mentioned adapting and evolving to a new life before...you weren't talking about after the accelerator exploded; you meant losing her, your wife.” Wells sat back in his chair, motioning for Joe to take the seat beside him. “Something must have created this monster, and the accelorator created a lot of them. I...I'm not trying to make excuses I just...I hope you understand why I squirel-brained. Finding answers based on what little information I do have...it's in my job description, as a cop...”
“And finding answers to life's greatest mysteries is in mine...as a scientist.” Wells offered. “I understand the need to understand everything Joe. Detectives who follow leads and geniuses who need answers both have a tendency of getting obsessed. But this was personal for you. And however little emotion I show in my daily life...I do understand trying to keep your family safe.”
“What was she like?”
“Strong, brilliant, had the most musical laugh. We were married to the work as much as to each-other. Making a facility like STAR Labs was something we were thinking about anyway, we just couldn't find a place to put down roots that wouldn't turn into a media-government circus if we ever got it up and running. I later learned the car accident...wasn't an accident. Someone or some...thing really wanted me out of the way and tried to kill me. She died instead. So I decided to move here. The best place I can think of to build our dream...even if she couldn't see it.”
“You're chasing him to.” Joe said stoically.
“Ironically enough I think if I ever met him I owe him a thank you. If I hadn't moved here, I wouldn't have been around to help take care of Barry. I wouldn't have had Sisko and Caitlyn with me to help build the accelerator, I would never have had a team to help make that dream a reality...or two awesome friends to stand beside me when it fell down like a house of straw. Until the accelerator exploded Barry was the only person to believe in the impossible. And now because of my failed experiments, the world has a man in red to help deal with the crazy. Ultimately though, unless the man in yellow was messing with Tachyons there's no way he could have originated from my work, from something we...I...hadn't even built yet.”
“Okay...what's that look on your face?”
“Tachyons, little bits of time-travel THAT'S how he did it! I...Barry and I need to find this creep and kick his speedster ass. Failing that we need to train him, Barry I mean, to be the hero this city needs right now. Are you with me, Joe?”
“Taking down meta's who abuse their powers, help innocent humans deal with getting them, that's pretty much what I signed on for. It's my job and my duty. Raising a hero for people to look up to, making him fast enough to kick this evil speedsters ass if we ever see him again? That's a bonus!”
Doctor Wells, can I talk with you for a minute?
I'm always here to help Barry, what's up?
You seem different, like something's weighing on your heart that wasn't there before. And if this is because of Ronnie...what happened to him.
Barry, Ronnie's death was a noble sacrifice and a freely given choice. I don't feel anything for him other than he should be an example we all aspire to emulate given the opportunity. But before he...the last conversation we had together was very different...and, well you know how people regret 'never having the chance to say things' or to 'take them back'. Because of his death, I will never get the chance to tell him I actually heard what he said!
Do you mind telling me what it is he DID say?
The people who died or were changed in the accelerator are my fault. Even if I couldn't have seen it coming. But there is one death that can be placed ENTIRELY at my front door, from long before you and I ever met. Ronnie found out my 'deep dark secret' and told me to stay away from you. Something I admire him for when it comes to it, he wanted to protect you. I can't help thinking...he had a weird sort of a point.
Not realizing the situation, Barry intoned. “I'm the one who decides if I want you in my life Harrison. And I want you in my life. If YOU want to leave fine. But don't do it because someone who barely knows you thinks you don't belong here anymore.”
Fully cognizant of the irony of the advice, and with as much composure as he could create Wells replied. “One day I might. And if I do, I just don't want you to think I'm leaving you out in the cold.”
As he turned to walk away Barry Allen paused and replied. “You do what you gotta do Doctor...Just do it for yourself and no one else, a'rigte? Later.”
“We did it...It's over.” Barry Allen sighed with relief.
“Not yet. You still need to end it.” Harrison Wells said from behind him. Barry turned around and saw the man he'd called his mentor standing beside him quiet and still, with his hands at his sides in a gesture of surrender. For a moment he didn't know what to think.
“What are you doing?”
Harrison actually seemed surprised at the question. “You said when this was over and the city was safe, you'd kill me. And I promised I wouldn't fight you. I wasn't lying when I said I cared about you Barry, and I know what I've done. If this is what you need...” To Barry's lasting shock Wells actually lowered himself to his knees. “Then finish it.”
“Why, why would I do this?”
“I'm pretty sure that would be stating the obvious and I don't think either of us need the reminder...That's not what you meant is it?”
Vibrating his right hand Barry Allen, a hero known as The Flash, approached his nemesis. “I want to hear you say it.” He said strongly and softly.
“I killed your mother and I've done nothing to free your father. This may sound ironic coming from me but I'm tried of running, of trying to forget or deny my past. For the past 3 years I've done what I could to make you better than the Rival and stronger than Zoom. After this you will be.”
“...You're wrong about that.” Barry said lowering his hand and his voice. “Killing you wouldn't make me better than zoom it would make me the same as him. Killing anyone in cold blood would just make me as petty and self-absorbed as the Rival. I refuse to be either one. Get Up.”
Later Harrison Wells stood in the cortex, standing alone in front of Sisko Ramon, Caitlin Snow, Detective Joe West and young Eddie Thawne, his partner on the Central City police force. He didn't seem willing to say anything more, he just stood there as The Flash filled his friends in on what he'd learned, and what happened 17 years earlier. “There's one thing more I need to show you...then we can finally be out of each-other's lives. “Gideon, bring up file ninety-four-thirty-one Zed please.”
“Of course Doctor Wells.” A soft, feminine voice spoke from literally thin air. A film projector, or the screen for one appeared and pages of information scrolled down the 'page' two fast for anyone but Barry to read. “Download complete Doctor Wells, will there be anything else?”
“You get to fulfill your original purpose now Gideon, Barry Allen will need your help.” He pulled a thumb drive from the interface. “This is a future database, I discovered when we first laid the ground-work at Star Labs. It seems to deal primarily with a hero called the Flash and his two closest allies: The Arrow, and the former villain Frost. When I first found it, I started following the history it presented like a script, trying to make sure the world had these heroes. It's why I fast-tracked the Particle Accelerator, why it blew up in everyone's face, why I'm so convinced Killer Frost will one day just be a part of you Caitlin and...it's why I see such hatred in your eyes right now Barry. Seeing the man in the yellow suit kill you mother as a child...it's what inspired you to investigate the impossible and come a hero not a criminal like the other meta-humans when you got your powers. The world doesn't need another speedster, it needs the Flash. that's what Gideon told me. I didn't realize what she meant until I started working with you. Please understand and believe me when I say that every time you looked at me and I looked away it wasn't because I was afraid of my feelings, but because I was afraid of yours.”
“Prism, Firestorm, Robin's Heir, Cicada, Overlord, Pestilence...Is there any reason we haven't heard of any of those bad guys yet?” Sisko Ramon asked in his traditional lightly sarcastic voice.
“You're not there yet. The record covers 10 years of heroism and equality, we're only on year three. And firestorm's not a bad guy, just messed up, ironically another victim of my hubris.”
“One question Harrison,” Joe West said peaceably. “What have you been doing since then?”
“I stopped following the pages like a script and started seeing them more as guideposts and mile-markers. Until one of these creeps showed up I tried not to rely on it too much...dwell on it too much. From what I understand that ship might have belonged to The Reverse Flash...it's where I got the suit.” He waved his hand in front of himself, indicating the yellow suit he wore, very much made to speedster specifications.
“Okay time for the obvious question, who the hell were you talking to?!”
“Why don't you ask her, she's interactive you know?”
“Ma'am...Gideon did he call you?” Eddie said uncertainly. “Who are you?”
“I am Gideon, an interactive artificial consciousness.” The soft female voice that had sounded once before answered almost instantly. “Forgive the otherworldly effect of my disembodied voice, the visual circuits of my matrix were damaged beyond repair in the crash. Doctor Wells has done his best to repair me..”
“Just tell them your manufacturing origin Gideon.”
“I've never understood your reluctance Dr. Wells. You are a genius by the human standards of this time. But in response to your prompt: Star Labs, research and development March 18^th 2024.”
“You mean to say what...seven years from now, Doctor wells invents you, here at Star Labs?”
“Incorrect Mr. Allen, You do.”
“In Gideon's original records I died tonight, supposedly helping you fight your newest 'big bad'. But I knew that was just the official story, a cover-up. I knew you'd killed me, for what I'd done to you. Anyway six years from now you discover something called the time vault and within it purely theoretical plans from an inter-active artificial consciousness that takes you less than a year to bring into reality you call her 'Gideon'. The ship I found had a copy of her program.”
“And you integrated her into the Star-Labs mainframe.” Caitlin said in a strange voice.
“I figured it would be helpful having a future computer around, help interpret and analyze any threats, meta human or otherwise we come across. You can do the same thing if you want. Can we get down to it: What happens to me?”
“We record your confession and get my dad out of prison, burn your house to the ground, make an official report that you were inside at the time, with the explanation that one of your experiments literally blew up in your face, you leave Central City and NE-VER come back.” Allen said as calmly as if he were discussing the afternoon weather and as forcefully as if he were willing cordial behavior into the room. I imagine he felt as though he were rewriting history by sheer force of will. Harrison seemed to think it.
“Doctor Wells, I read Gideon's original report. Clariss was supposed to have dropped a truth bomb on me about your involvement ion my mom's murder and I would have killed you in blind anger and cold blood. Are you going to try to tell me you didn't out yourself earlier today exactly to spare me from that epic-mistake? The kind not fixable except by screwing with the timeline?” Wells didn't respond verbally, but nodded slightly. “I can't forsee myself ever wanting to see you again. But I'm not ready to go all judge-jury and executioner on you either, if that's what you were worried about.”

The Big Day...Almost

 William Harrison Wells and his legal partner Martin Stein will adopt a daughter and named her Elana. Quentin Lance Queen and Moira Queen will adult-adopt Sasha Jordan Scott realizing that she would rather not go back to her hometown...that her friends here in Starling City made it more of a 'home' to her than Baltimore ever was. Damien kills himself on Genesis Day; runs himself through with Genghis Khan's sword having come to the realization that HE is what is wrong with the world. His last words were to the Arrow: make this world better...or at least find a way to live in it. Barry never knew Henry Allen. Joe West legally adopted him when he was 13. Joe had natural health problems that put him in the hospital. And in a scene much like the passing of Earth-2 Joseph, he tells his Earth's Harry-son Wells to 'take care of our boy'.

Harrison Wells lifted himself from his exercise bars and settled himself in his wheelchair as Barry Allen walked into the room. “Barry, are you alright?”

“Shouldn't I be asking you that?” Barry joked.

“I'll be up and about soon enough. But I can't just sit around letting my legs go, can I? Honestly Barry you seem, preoccupied. And not like one lost in love awaiting his big day.”

“I'll swallow the witty comeback I had for that one because I really want you in a good mood, for what I'm about to ask you.”

“I'm...not sure I understand.”

“Dr. Wells...Joe asked you to take care of me, be by my side in this winding, wild and wacky journey I've chosen as my life..”

“I've tried to do the best I can. You know I'm not good at the whole emotions...caring for others thing since Tess died...not at making it obvious anyway.”

“No, you've done amazing you've been amazing. I...was hoping I could convince you to...literally... be by my side...when Caitlin and I say our vows.”

“Allen, I...for the first time in my life I'm not sure what to say.”

“You've been by my side, lock-step with me, almost like a second father since I became the Flash. And Joe...I know he would have approved...because he asked you to look after me.”

“Barry, I accept of course but, you know it'll look...extremely awkward.”

“Doctor Wells, I want you with me at my wedding. Anyone who wouldn't get that, shouldn't be invited. Or did you mean because you couldn't literally STAND behind me.”

“...More the second one.” Harrison Wells said with a chuckle.

“Curtis and Felicity have a remedy for that. They put their collective unique genius brains together and came up with an...implantable bio-stimulant that should help you walk again. Felicity wanted to make sure you could 'walk down the aisle with me'...You'll be there then...I mean, you'll do it?”

“Barry, I am beyond honored you've offered this to me, of course I accept!”

“I might start calling you 'Harrison' after a while.” Barry joked.

“I think I would like that.” William 'Harrison' Wells said easily. “ And by the way, who is going to be your best man? Or have you chosen yet?”

“Oh that's an easy one: Oliver Queen.”

“An excellent choice Barry.”

“Um...Do you know him? I mean do you know who he is.”

“I once called him a vigilante in a green elf-suit. If that is what you mean.”

“And...what is the rest of that story?” Barry prompted.

“He gave me a rather firm warning that if I ever so much as lied to you or deliberately led you into trouble he could make my life a very painful kind of hell.” Barry's face paled as Harrison Wells chuckled. “I actually admire him for that. Protecting you from someone one is not 100% certain can be trusted? I can't say I blame him. Plus I could tell the...mutual respect you have for each-other. It makes perfect sense.”

Barry Allen is the Flash but is not associated with STAR Labs. His best friend and mentor is Harrison Wells. In the four years since Barry gained his powers Dr Wells went from a Chemistry professor at Met:U to a bit of a homebody taking Late@NightEnrichement courses at Central City University. Martin Stien is a professor teaching some philosophy courses who recognizes IN Wells a rare breed of human being: one who still believes in the goodness of the world despite every thing that's happened to him. Whatever gave Allen his powers fried his neurons. He's not embittered by it. Martin Stien and Harrison Wells begin a courtship that they mostly keep to themselves. Iris is Barry's legal sibling, so they never considered dating. All the times Caitlin came to Barry for both scientific and life advice grew into a deep affection and respect for each-other. Late at night once Barry admitted: I need you in my life Caitlin; I've always known that. Would you go out with me Friday night? She says yes. Eight months later they are planning their wedding.

A Kindly Host (For Jor-El)

After she treated Henry Allen's wound without batting an eye at J'onn's green Martian-ness, J'onn challenges Eloise for lying about who she was; because she can't be human. She replies that while genetically she's other than human, she was born on Earth, within the boundaries of the United States. And that she wasn't 'hiding' being an alien at all. She then invites her guests to sleep in the living room and locks herself in her bedroom.

J'onn J'onzz: (Uncertainly) Why do I get the feeling we just repaid kindness with betrayal?
Henry Allen: (sadly) Because that's exactly what we did.

Eloise Monroe 's house-guest, acknowledged as the Martian J'onn J'onzz in disguise, walks into the room and asks her something like 'what's your story'.

“My story is that even if I wasn't genetically something other than human I'd still feel like a stranger in this place. (mutes television, leans back in chair) I was born here, but in general people don't make any more sense to me than I make to people. Actually, not true, I think I more or less get people, but people don't like me, so I stay out here where most living beings are animals and my desire to mind my own business doesn't raise eyebrows.”

“You are not hiding from your own government?”

“If you mean General Elling, he's not entirely sanctioned by the political powers of this country. He's military through and through and tends to hunt down potential alien threats. I'm not on his radar for being an alien. I doubt he even suspects me of being one. But my home is KNOWN for being a shelter for wayfaring humans out of work or illegal immigrants. He figures I'd help 'lost lonely actual aliens' with few questions asked. An accurate reputation I am proud to live up to, by the way.”

A Kindly Stranger:

“Forgive the intrusion.” Said the young man as he stepped into my front room. “My friend and I crashed...into each-other and until we can get back into town...we need a roof over our heads. Just for tonight, please.”

“Is your friend hurt? Can he not come in as well?”

“No, he's ambulatory. It's just he's...different. He didn't want to scare you, or bully his way into someone's home. He asked me to...” The young 20-something seemed at a loss for words.

“My home is a sanctuary of peace. Leave your weapons at the door and do not raise your hands in anger while within these walls, and you are welcome here; as is anyone who can observe these precepts.”

The handsome young man said his thanks and sat down cross-legged beside the sofa. The man who came in after him had tinted green skin and pale red eyes. He bowed as he entered but did not raise himself once inside.

I smiled faintly at him. “Another word for sanctuary is 'refuge'. If you need help you will find it here, including hiding you from the authorities, if they are being hounds not protectors.”

“What do you mean?” The man asked in a deep voice. “How can you tell the difference?”

“No one can come into my home and try to take people by force and call themselves a protector, necessitating that if you are running from the cops, you are running from a hound. You get the notion, yes?” The human nodded as did the clearly alien visitor. “I will ask both of you to tell me your names though.” I said with a faint smile.

“I am...J'onn J'onzz.” The green-skinned man said with a stiff bow. “This is my friend...”

“Elias.” The young man said rising from his seat and extending his hand. “Elias Danvers.”

“My name is Sarrin, some people call me 'Sasha'. No family name to inherit.”

“Why is that?” J'onn asked. “I'm sorry, I'm curious.”

“We inherit our parents first names.” I said simply. “My name at birth was 'Eloise'. When my mother, Samantha died I inherited her birth name of Sarrin. If I'd had a brother, he would have inherited our father's birth name. No maiden or married names, no family names at all.”

“Not familiar with the custom. And I'm familiar with a lot of them.” Elias said with genuine courtesy.

“Unless you're from one of three planets in this galaxy, you wouldn't be.” I told him. “Yeah. I've lived in the States most of my time on Earth, and on Earth most of my life. Please, J'onn are you hurt and do you want something to eat?”

“I heal fast.” J'onn said immediately. “Yes I'm hurt but I do not require medical attention. And I...do you have any cookies?” In response I walked into the kitchen, set a plate of butter cookies and off-brand Oreo biscuits. I set it and a glass of milk on the coffee table.

“And you Elias?”

“Just a mug of tea please.” I couldn't help feeling slightly hurt by his refusal. Perhaps he noticed it because he quickly added “I could go for lunch meat...on wheat bread if you've got it.”

I smiled softly. “Coming up.”

Elias sat himself on the sofa next to his friend. I set 2 plates of turkey and cumber sandwiches down. “I'm sorry, but are you in the habit of telling complete strangers who you are?”

“Complete strangers, one of whom is quite obviously an alien themselves, yes. My origin is not a secret for me. It's my identity. And that has never been something worth hiding.” I stopped and looked at him. “Do I take it a'rigte that you have had the opposite experience?”

“My birth name was...is Kal'el. It never meant anything to me. Elias Danvers is the name my adoptive parents gave me. It is my identity.”

“A son of El?”

“You, you knew him?”

“Personally no.” I answered hurriedly. “But the house of El is a star in the ashes exception to typical Kryptonian behavior and perception. That is how they are known.”

“I...I'm not sure I understand.”

“If 85% of Kryptonians treated non-Kryptonians one way and had a 'party-line' approach to any given problem, the house of El is part of the 15% who judge things on their own merits based on the evidence of their own eyes. They are 'part of a culture or society no longer able to see it's own eminent destruction, but they can'.” I took a breath. “That's what the learning programs my mom made me watch said of them. I've never actually met any Kryptonian who didn't look on me with pity in their eyes...until now.”

“Most likely because you were not raised by Kryptonians, Elias. But by one of Earth's own shining horrata.” J'onn said, straining for something. Elias and I starred at him. “I spent 4 years with his adopted father. Jeremiah Danvers is himself a brilliant, stunning exception to typical Earth thinking. He accepted me the first time we met.” He looked caught out. “Horrata literally means 'an exception to the rule'. What it says about a person depends on what the rule is.”

“I don't need a medic I need a mechanic.” The young woman says to the African American before her. Tapping her collar bone as if checking her heart-rate she continues. “I am not an alien...well I am but...I'm also an android.” Four and a half hours later the woman wakes up, leaning against the back of a medical chair. She gives a cautious look around her, smiling faintly at the young technical genius to her right. A smile that vanishes when her eyes pass over the imposing man in front of her.

“Listen I don't know if it will mean anything, but I am not intentionally a threat.”

“As good a way as any to start a dialogue. Why are you here?” The director said blandly.

“To live and through the act of living, to learn what I want out of life.” She said happily. Her face immediately took on a more somber look. “Are the three pillars of sentience intelligence, self-awareness and consciousness? If so, replace one of those with 'self-determination' or add it and I would be considered a sentient being. My core intentional protocols are my personality. But my mission statement and my 'reason for being' are mine to discover and decide for myself. Essentially, what I want out of life' hasn't been written yet.” She paused and looked around the room, thoughtfully. “I don't know if my people look like this. But I do.”

“Why do you sound like a young child?” The younger man asked haply.

“Because as far as how long I've lived and how much of the world I've seen, I am. I have the same understanding of people and the world as an 11 year-old. I honesty haven't lived enough years to be called an adult. I sound as mature and educated as I do because my embedded learning programs give me an understanding and wisdom of the world a person as young as I am wouldn't have.”

“I get the feeling I intimidate you.” The director said suddenly. The young woman started. “You seem confident of exactly where and who you are and yet seem skittish or unsteady when you look at me. Why is that? And why say all of this at once, without waiting to be asked?”

“Believe it or not Henshaw, you are known to me. How you see foes where there are friends and see sorcerers where there are but servants. I am doing my best to convince you that I am genuinely friendly.”

“...Then I should be genuine as well.” The human guise of Hank Henshaw faded away and J'onn J'onzz showed his true alien form. That of a green-skinned alien only slightly taller than he had appeared a moment ago. Dressed in armor rather than military garb and with wide, open eyes. In response the woman sat straight up, inclined her head a little bit, as if to say 'thank you for that trust' and spoke in a language other than English. A gesture which made the Marian smile with gratitude. “And my name is J'onn J'onzz. This is Winslow Schott.”

“How many languages do you speak?” Winn said suddenly.

“It will take me a while to learn Earth languages other than English. But Earth languages aren't the only ones I know. That was Martian.”

Earth 21 in Smallville

 I found a little half-page notebook with an entry for a story. One that must have served as a beginning or a launching pad for my D.E.O. story with Superman and J'onn J'onzz. I picked up a stack of loose papers and among them was the beginning of this same story, the very same scene with only very minor differences. The strange thing is this scene has never made it into the established story or narrative of that Earth in the first place. I wrote down a conversation in the DEO which made direct reference to it...then took the story in a completely different direction. Anyway this is how Superman and Nikita met each other, and why Kal'el is the DEO's closest and most dedicated alien ally on Earth 21// Earth 27. Whichever I end up calling it.

Memories of Smallville

“My name is Clark Kent. You are safe here.”

“I'm not sure You are.”

“I'm sorry, what?” an older man said from the dining room table.

“I didn't mean that as a threat and I am not radioactive or anything. But I am...I'm...”

“...In trouble.” Clark finished for her. “I kinda figured seeing you were both unconscious and shaking when I found you.”

“I wasn't running away. I was an asset. My D.E.O. Taskmaster will most certainly want me back.”

Clark looked uncertain. “D-E..Department of extra-normal operations.” He sat in his chair reasoning out the situation. “Does that mean you are an alien?”

“My home-planet is fifty miles past nowhere. And yes I'm a resident alien from the stars. I Wa-- Wait KENT?!”

The older man stood and walked over to her. “Yeah. The name mean something to you?” Imposing manner and forceful tone there was no hint of either challenge or hostility in his voice. Nikita judged that he sincerely wanted to know and it was simply that important to him.

“When I came to Earth the first...backing up for a second. The name Hiram Kent is treasured for me. I never found him though.”

“You never met him, yet you value him?” Johnathan prompted. “More importantly, what went wrong?”

“Sir please first tell me, are you descendant from him?”

“Yeah I...I guess that would come first.” Clark said gently. Hegestured to his father-figure. "Johnathan Kent is my adopted father. He is Hiram Kent's natural son.”

“Breth-so-ree. Ya Thay Fa Sool.” The young woman said with her head down and eyes shut. “My name is Nikita. I disavowed my family name when I arrived on your planet. On Earth I mean.”

Clark Smiled faintly. “So I take it you know I'm an alien? It stands to reason at least.”

“I know you are a Kryptonian of the house of El.” Nikita corrected. Both men snapped to, as if someone had dropped a bowling ball in front of their faces. “the first friendly person I met on this planet was similarly forgien to it. He told me of a woman he had loved with all his heart, though hr'd only known her a short time, in a small village in Kansas and a Good Man named Hiram Kent who helped him stay hidden, then get safely away. Being bulletproof proved a tragedy for this alien who identified himself to me as Jor'el.”

“Wait Kent, as in Hiram Kent? ” Clark looked at his father, Johnathan looked confused. “Okay this is almost too cool to be real. I would ask what is going on but by your faces I think you're the ones owed an explanation.”

“What do you mean-by any of this?” Johnathan asked curtly.

“I mean I believe in providence and IF I'm right this is awesome. And, while I have absolutely no way to prove this to you, it was not deliberate on my part.”

“Johnathan is my adoptive father.” Clark said quickly. “He is Hiram's natural son.”

“Breth so-ree. Ya Whey Fa-sool.” The young woman said with her head down “My name is Nikita. I disavowed my family name when I arrived on your planet. On Earth I mean.”

“So yu know I'm an alien...it reasons.”

“I know you're a Kryptonian of the house of El.” Nikita corrected. Both men snapped to, as if someone had dropped a bowling ball in front of their faces. “the first friendly person I met here was similarly foreign to this place. He told me of a small village, a girl, a woman he had known only a brief time but loved with all of his heart. And of a good man named Hiram Kent who, although he had absolutely no reason to believe him, implicitly trusted his claim of innocence, hid him in his farm, and then helped him get out of town before sunrise. This man, this alien identified himself to me as Jor'el.”

“Did he stay long?” Clark asked urgently.

Nikita shook her head. “He said with the death of his love he had no reason to stay on this 'fractured planet'. I think he meant by that hopelessly divided into millions of exceedingly different individuals. I went in a different direction, geographically from Smallville. I was eventually enfolded --that's the only word I have for it-- into the DEO. Speaking of, I know you're there.”

“It's good to see you too, Nikita.” A dark-skinned man in his mid forties with short-cropped hair spoke from the door. “Found some new friends I see?”

“They most kindly gave me shelter, yes.” Nikita said suddenly sounding very detached and deliberately formal. “I take it...” She hesitated. “I have to ask for his sake...Jeremiah?”

“I haven't seen him in three days.” The man said with the restraint and dignity of a solider.

“Johnathan and Clark Kent, Director Hank Henshaw, my... superior I guess you would say.”

“You were not kidding when you said you were in custody.” Clark said, wisely omitting whose custody she had claimed to be in.

“It's hard to define, even harder to explain. Wait...” All eyes turned to the female alien in the room. “Something else happened, didn't it?”

“You...could say so, yes.” Hank said with obvious discomfort.

“Then let's get back to the base so we can talk about it, privately.” Nikita said blithely.

"I'm glad you agree." hank said as he turned to walk out of the house.

“She's not going anywhere.” Clark said taking a threatening step forward.

“Clark,  legally  I am a ward of his organization, which means you have no grounds to resist thier request. But slightly more importantly, if you try to keep me from them YOU will be the one holding me against my will.” Clark and Johnathan both looked floored. “It's a kind of not replaying kindness with blood situation. But also, I don't mind staying at and working for the DEO, not in and of itself. Either way, it's my choice to make and I have made it." She turned to the director. "And yes, they know I'm an alien that was...rather unavoidable.” She pressed her hand to the left side of her ribcage. “I never had a family to be torn from. The D.E.O is, sadly enough the closest thing to what a family should be that I can even remember. And in going back to it, I am going HOME.”