Emma's POV

I stretched as I stood from my nap and walked out of my room and downstairs to the living room. The sun was starting to set, casting an orange and red glow into the house.

I stopped at the last step when I saw my dad sitting on the chair near the window with something in his lap. He was facing away from me, so he didn't see me coming.

I walked up behind him and leaned down, my chin resting on his shoulder and my arms around his chest. In his lap was the photo album. He was looking at the pictures from my 10th birthday.

I heard him chuckle. "Remember when you threw a piece of your cake at Alfred? The look o his face was priceless."

I grinned. "And when you decided to jump in the bounce house with me?"

He laughed a little louder. He turned his head to kiss my cheek. "Why you have to grow up?"

"Sorry." I shrugged. "I kinda can't really stop the natural process of growing. My bad."

I heard him sigh and I frowned. I walked around and sat down in the chair in front of him. "What is it?"

I gazed up at me. "Just..." He sighed. "I don't know. Your gonna be 19 soon. Guess I'm just realizing that my little girl, is not my little girl anymore."

I felt saddened by this. He really was crushed by me growing up.

I stood and sat down next to him on the chair he was in and rested my head on his shoulder. "Even though I'm growing up, I'm still gonna be your little girl dad."

He wrapped his arm around me. "You're the best kid I could ever ask for."

"I love you dad."

"I love you too peanut."

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The next day, I was back in Metropolis. I was just walking around the city, not doing anything particular.

"Emma?"

I stopped and turned. I smiled when I saw Clark. "Hey."

He grinned and stood in front of me. "Hey. What are you doing back in Metropolis again?"

I shrugged. "Just walking around. Getting some fresh air. What about you? Are you working today?"

He shook his head. "No, not today. I was just bored at home."

I chuckled at that. "Same."

"Hey, um... do you wanna grab a bite? There's a really good sandwich shop just around the corner."

I smirked and raised a brow. "Are you sure your girlfriend won't mind?"

He seemed confused for a moment before he chuckled. "Oh, no. Lois and I are only friends. I mean, yes we were a thing at one point but, just didn't feel right."

I nodded. "Well, lead the way."

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I took another bite of the BLT sandwich that I got and sighed. "Man, how come I've never heard of this place before?"

Clark smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

"Thanks for brining me here."

"No problem." He paused. "Listen, I feel terrible for what happened ed at Lex's party the other day. I'm sorry if I caused any trouble."

I shook my head. "No, no, it's fine. My dad just... doesn't like Superman is all."

"Because of what happened to you?"

I nodded. "Yeah." I looked up at him. "Why don't you like Batman?"

"He's reckless and doesn't follow the law. He thinks he is the law by doing whatever he wants."

I smiled. "Isn't that what Superman does too?"

Clark paused. "Not... exactly."

I chuckled. "I guess we just have different tastes in heroes."

Clark smiled. "What about you?"

"Hm?"

"Why is Batman special to you?"

I froze. Can I trust him?

Clark's smile fell. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

I shook my head. "No, no. I... I trust you."

I took a deep breath. "When I was 16, I was out at a friend's house. I stayed until it was dark and I headed home, but my car broke down and I couldn't get any reception because of the heavy rain. I had to walk the rest of the way. But, out of no where, someone hit my head and I blacked out. When I woke up, I was strapped to a table in a really gross looking room. Then... he came out. The Joker. I was terrified. I knew what he did to his victims. He said that he wasn't going to kill, only hurt me really bad. And for two hours I had to endure his torture." I wiped away a stray tear. "He branded me too." I turned around so that my back was facing him and slid my shirt down to show him the 'J' that was forever scarred into my right shoulder blade. "I thought that I was gonna die. But then Batman came crashing in, he fought off the Joker and rescued me. That's why Batman's my hero."

Clark shook his head. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I-"

"Clark. Clark." I reached over and grabbed his hand. "It's okay. I told you because I trust you."

Clark smiled. "I'm glad that you trust me."

I smiled back. "Me too."