I have so many Superman Returns possibilities, it's insane. But I think this one makes enough sense to publish. Here's hoping you like it! =]

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Superman soared through the skies, remembering old times, "and hopefully new ones to come," he thought, with a smile on his face. He heard people cry out to him, as he flew through Metropolis, but he ignored them. He had a certain place to be.

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Smiling slightly, Superman focused in on one sound with his super hearing. Jason, the five- year- old little boy, son of Lois Lane, was playing "Heart and Soul" on his electronic keyboard. My son, he thought. He just stayed there for a minute, imagining what his life would have been like, had he not left for Krypton. He would be the one standing next to Lois, not Richard White, who had been emotional support for her when Superman was gone. He would have been able to raise his own son, not having to watch, everyday, as another man played the part of Jason's father.

But, deep down in his heart, he knew that even if he hadn't left, he still wouldn't have been a proper father and husband. As long as he was Superman, the ones he loved would always be in danger. Lois wouldn't have cared, a part of his brain said. Superman ignored it and took one last look at Lois's house, and at his son, and then flew away silently, into the stars.

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Clark knocked on the door of his mother's house in Smallville. He knew Ben Hubbard would be there, but he needed to see his mother. She was the only one who could possibly understand- and possibly help- his situation.

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When Martha Kent heard the knock on her door, she hadn't expected her son. Maybe one of the farm hands, maybe someone else. But not Clark.

"Martha?" said Ben, "Aren't you gonna get that?"

"Yes, yes of course," she said. Ben watched her leave the room, and turned to switch on the TV, but then he heard her utter a scream. Concerned, he jumped up and went into the kitchen, where Martha had answered the door. He saw a young man with his arms around her. He cleared his throat, and she looked up. There were tear stains on her face, and she clung to Clark as though she wanted to make sure he was real. Grinning, Clark said,

"Mom, really, I'm okay." She rolled her eyes and turned to stare at him.

"Clark, you nearly died! Do you expect me to believe that?" she argued.

"Um, Mom, I needed to talk to you about something-" he started. She gave him a knowing look and turned to Ben.

"Ben, can you give us a moment?" she asked, though he knew he had no choice. He left the room and switched on the TV. Martha turned to her son and said,

"Now, what did you need to ask me?" He didn't answer. He determinedly looked at the ceiling and avoided her glance. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the adorable little boy Lois brought with her to the hospital, would it?" Clark's mouth dropped open as he stared at her. How could she have known? The corners of Martha's mouth twitched.

"What- how did you-" he stammered. She gave her son a small smile. She came closer to him, slowly, and placed a hand on his arm.

"He looks exactly like you when you were that age," she whispered. "I would never forget that." Clark heaved a sigh and slumped down into a chair. "What is it, Clark?" He shook his head.

"Nothing, Mom," he assured her. "I'm fine. Um…I should get going, you know…" Martha nodded, understanding.

"There are people to save," she said warmly, giving him a hug.

"Yes." In a blur of red, blue, and yellow, Clark was gone and Superman was on his way to China to save a small town from a tsunami.
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Well, was it good? Review, review, review!!