Chapter 78

When Leonardo woke up, he didn't expect to see the same date he woke up to yesterday. He first thought his clock was broken and he accidentally marked the calendar wrong. It wasn't until a few minutes later he received a familiar call asking him to fill in on his day off did he realize something. He didn't make a mistake but it truly was the same day and he felt it had something to do with Clark.

'Clark, please tell me you didn't.' Leonardo sighed mentally to himself.

Knowing that standing around in his apartment won't answer this question. Leonardo stepped out onto his fire escape and took off into the sky heading north to the Fortress. Where Jor-El will hopefully have an answer for him.

Landing in the Fortress, Leonardo looked around at the ice and crystal area that hasn't changed much since last time he was here. Which wasn't that long ago, but he instantly saw a crystal that was previously here, not there anymore.

"Welcome, my son Seyg-El." Jor-El's voice rang around the fortress. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, not much, just someone playing with time. Living the same day over gives one a Deja Vu after all." Leonardo answered with a bit of snark in his tone.

"It can't be helped. This is a trial brought upon Kal-El himself and he must learn through pain not to play god. You may be powerful under the yellow sun, but neither of you are gods." Jor-El explained.

"A heads up would be nice." Leonardo sighed. "Why does it seem as soon as I move away and leave Clark's body? Clark and the Kent couple seem bound and determined to do dumb things such as running for state senator, getting a girlfriend who he knows isn't healthy for him to have and so on."

"You aren't without your flaws too, my son." Jor-El answered.

"I know, but everyone has flaws." Leonardo pinched his nose. "It's just all Clark's Life, Jonathan told Clark not to stand out or draw attention to the family if he can help it. Now as soon as we are out of Highschool, he turns around and runs for state senator out of the blue just because his good friend asked him too."

"Complaining won't do much good." Jor-El said.

"I'm just venting." Leonardo replied. "I got a lot on my plate dealing with Gotham power vacuum, Aurora who is angry for creating the vacuum, and rewarding a bunch of corrupt cops with silver cuffs. Not to mention having to run to Smallville to help Jonathan with the farm that has been basically negelated. Since Jonathan is busy campaigning, Clark is too busy running around both Smallville and Metropolis and Martha managing the Talon."

"Have you ever thought that you don't need to manage everything on your own?" Jor-El answered.

Leonardo let out a breath containing his frustration. He did feel that way, but he would feel bad if he didn't help them. Afterall, even if they became distant from him towards the end of living with them, the Kent's allowed him to stay with them for a year.

"Yeah, but if I don't I would feel bad." Leonardo replied.

In the end, besides a small chat with Jor-El, Leonardo returned to Gotham. There he went about his daily routine of sending more criminals to jail. Some went more willing then others for some couldn't believe they were caught or caught so quickly.

"Good work today." Collins said. "You were on a roll today like usual."

"It wasn't just me." Leonardo replied calmly. "One person can't change Gotham alone. Now we aren't considered one of the cities with the highest crime rates."

"Yeah, but for how long?" Collins nodded. "There are always businessmen trying to make some extra money on the side and criminals who want easy money. Not all cops are immune to money like you are."

"Then we best find ones to catch those greedy cops." Leonardo shrugged. "The system isn't perfect nor are people. So we can only do the best we can to maintain order and public safety."

"Yeah, it's just hard to believe that crime is the lowest I have ever seen in Gotham." Collins sighed.

"I just hope it can stay this way. It's a nice city for the most part." Leonardo said as he looked up at the night sky. "Well, I'm off. I have to wait and see if Jonathan becomes Senator or not."

After returning home, Leonardo was making some chicken nuggets for a snack while the news played in the background. While he was supposed to go to Smallville, he didn't really feel up to it and was called in for a case. Not that he still couldn't get to Smallville if he needed to.

"Well, it's not really surprising, but Jonathan managed to win again." Leonardo watched the news report.

Then as he was pulling his chicken nuggets out of the oven, he heard his phone ring. Sol holding the scorching hot pan in his fingers. Leonardo picked up the phone to hear a sad and tearful Clark on the other side.

"Dad died." Leonardo heard Clark say. "It's all my fault."

"Did his heart give out?" Leonardo asked.

"Yeah. He died of a heart attack right in my arms." Clark cried a bit.

"Clark," Leonardo said softly. "It's not your fault. His heart was already on a fragile side and doing a stressful thing like running for state senator and farming. He was on a countdown and unless you really want to go into the medical field. There wasn't much you could have done."

"If he didn't have to keep my secret." Clark began. "I could have also made an artificial heart…"

"He has kept it for nearly twenty years…well sixteen, but sure he will worry. However, it wouldn't play a factor in it. He overworked himself despite various warnings and getting worked up in joy or anger at something may have triggered the impending heart attack." Leonardo said. "Jonathan knew, but still pressed forward. So there is no need to blame yourself, there are various factors and it may just be his time to go."

"It was too sudden and too soon." Clark said with what sounded like clenched teeth.

"It's always too soon when the ones we care about die." Leonardo replied. "I will be at the farm in a few."

Hanging up, Leonardo quickly called Commissioner Gordon who reluctantly approved of his small time off. While he packed his clothes and took off to the skies once more as he headed to Smallville.

For why Gordon was reluctant to give it, was because Leonardo sort of became the weight that put pressure on both the police and the criminals. Since Leonardo does things by the books and doesn't care if you're a lowly pickpocket to high gang leader or powerful millionaire. If he has evidence, he will be delivering you a pair of silver cuffs.

--

It took a few days, but on a snowy day, Leonardo stood out in the cold alongside many others. While the coffin that held Jonathan Kent was lowered into the ground, Leonardo put a bit of dirt to show his respect. Next to him, Clark did the same as he wore a stoic face.

"You came so far, but refuse to learn that human life is fragile." Leonardo said. "Do you remember years ago when you met Cassandra?"

"Yes." Clark said. "What's your point?"

"You asked me "does it mean I will outlive everyone I love and care about". Just because they are dead, doesn't mean they are gone. We will suffer a lot of loss, Clark, it's our fate and we can't change that. However, we can make the most of it when they are still here and make many happy memories with them. For they will continue to live here." Leonardo pointed to Clark's chest. "Jonathan's life may be over, but he lives on through you. He taught you how to be stubborn, do the right things and stand up for yourself and others. While he isn't perfect, neither are you, however what he gave you is more important than any power. He gave you character, courage, individualism and probably the most important. He gave you love, no matter how badly you mess up, shout or give him teenage trouble. Not once did he stop loving you or supporting the man he can see you becoming, albeit slowly."