The cold Arctic wind still swirled around them when Diana sheathed her sword and let out a soft sigh. The training was over, but the emotional tension she carried was not. Clark noticed it immediately, even before the silence stretched on.
She looked at him, serious, but without hardness.
"Clark… I want to see my mother."
He wasn't surprised. He simply waited for her to continue, giving her the time she needed.
"It's not an emergency. It's not desperation." Diana kept her tone firm. "But it's something I always knew I would ask of you someday. And after seeing Jor-El, after seeing how you control all of this… I know it's time."
Clark breathed slowly, hands in his pockets.
"You want to say goodbye."
"I do." She confirmed. "For real. I don't know how long I'll stay on this Earth. And I don't want Hippolyta to think I just disappeared."
Clark gave a small nod.
"All right. I'll take you."
Her expression softened, just a little. "Thank you."
He stepped a little closer, steady but gentle.
"But before that… you need to go home." Clark gestured lightly at her armor. "Your mother would kill me if I showed up bringing you dressed like this."
Diana let out a short laugh. "She'd probably hit me first, just in case."
"Then it's better to avoid that." Clark turned his gaze to the white horizon. "Let's go."
Seconds later, the two reappeared at the door of Clark's house. The warmth of the place wrapped around Diana immediately, and she dropped the shield onto the couch with a soft sound, more relaxed than she'd been in the Arctic.
Kyla was in the hallway, holding a bowl of fruit. Her eyes widened when she saw them.
"You vanish for hours and come back like you just went to the store."
"Almost that." Diana smiled, removing her tiara and setting it on the table. "I'm traveling in a bit."
Tina appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Traveling where? And without warning? Where's this house's schedule?"
Diana raised her hands in surrender. "I'm going to visit my mother. And yes, I'm coming back."
Kyla crossed her arms, pretending to scold her. "Coming back? Really, or is that just a promise?"
"I'm coming back." Diana assured. "Unless one of you eats my share of dinner."
Tina pointed at Kyla. "That threat is for her."
"What slander!" Kyla protested dramatically. "I only eat what's left over."
Clark crossed his arms, watching the scene unfold naturally.
"She'll only be gone for a few hours." He explained. "It's just a goodbye."
Kyla looked at Diana with more warmth now. "Good luck, then."
Tina added with a small grin. "And send a kiss to the Amazon queen."
"That's not how it works." Diana replied, amused. "But I appreciate the support."
"Need help with clothes?" Kyla offered.
"I've got it."
Clark nodded. "I'll wait outside."
Diana agreed and headed upstairs with calm steps.
Kyla turned to him. "Is she nervous?"
"A little." Clark answered.
"Then take care of her." Tina concluded. "And bring her back."
Clark nodded once, simply.
"I always come back."
The bedroom door opened minutes later, and Diana came down the stairs wearing modern clothes dark pants, sturdy boots, and a simple but elegant top. Nothing flashy, nothing excessive. A calmer version of her, without war or armor.
"Is this okay?" She asked.
Clark looked her over for a second and smiled.
"You could walk into Metropolis like that and no one would suspect you've fought a god."
"A weak god." Diana corrected firmly.
Tina clapped once. "Ready to cross worlds."
Kyla made an exaggerated blessing gesture. "May the Greek gods not question the GPS."
"You two…" Diana shook her head, but the smile stayed. "I'll be back soon."
Kyla hugged her quickly. "Go and come back in one piece."
Tina added, hugging her too. "And if you bring mythical cookies, even better."
"They don't exist." Diana laughed.
"People say the same about kryptonians." Kyla shot back.
Diana finally stepped away, walking to Clark.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
He extended his hand.
She took it without thinking.
A second before disappearing, Diana looked back at the two behind them.
"See you soon."
Clark activated the Speed Force.
___
The trip ended in front of the Kent house porch, with the soft sound of wind moving through the trees. The door was open, as it almost always was. Martha stood at the edge of the kitchen, one hand on her lower back, the other resting on the table.
She lifted her gaze as soon as the two appeared.
"You got here fast."
Clark stepped forward. "We needed to stop here first."
Martha smiled, that calm smile that seemed to embrace the whole room.
"I figured it was important."
Diana moved forward slowly, respectful, her feet finally touching familiar ground. The first thing she did was look at Martha's belly and smile softly.
"It's bigger."
"Babies grow." Martha joked. "And he's making me eat like the world's ending tomorrow."
Diana laughed quietly.
"Clark, sweetheart, can you get me some water?" Martha asked.
"Of course."
He headed into the kitchen.
Diana stayed with Martha in the living room. They stood in silence for a few seconds before Martha spoke, in that direct and gentle way that always calmed things.
"You're going to say goodbye."
Diana blinked, surprised by the accuracy.
"Clark has always been too transparent with me." Martha continued. "And you… you have that look of decision."
Diana took a deep breath. "I'm going to visit my mother. It might be the last time for a long while."
Martha nodded, no drama. "And she deserves to see you."
"Yes." Diana murmured. "She does."
Martha stepped closer and took Diana's hands.
"You're not leaving for good."
"No." Diana confirmed. "But it's important."
"Anything involving a mother is."
Diana smiled softly, sincerely.
"And you?" She asked. "Will you be okay?"
Martha placed a hand on her belly affectionately. "With this one kicking all day? I'll be great."
Diana laughed again, a short laugh full of affection.
Clark returned with the glass of water.
Martha took a sip, then looked at Diana with a more playful expression.
"Just promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Don't let my son get too used to living alone."
Diana raised an eyebrow and looked at Clark. "Too late. He already doesn't know how to do that."
Clark snorted theatrically. "I know how to live alone."
"You don't." Diana countered, firm and amused. "You barely remember to turn off the light when you leave the room."
"Details." Clark replied.
Martha rested her free hand on her hip. "He's had worse phases."
"Thanks for the confidence." Clark commented.
Diana stepped closer to Martha, calmer now. Her hand rested on the woman's belly, gentle and careful. Martha smiled naturally, placing her hand over Diana's.
"Did he move?" Diana asked.
"All the time." Martha replied. "I think he already knows he has a very different family waiting."
Diana kept her hand there a moment longer.
"He'll be born into a better world." She said.
"I hope so." Martha replied softly.
Clark watched the two for a few seconds. It was rare to see Diana so gentle and so firm at the same time. It was rare to see Martha so protected by someone other than him.
When Diana removed her hand from Martha's belly, Martha held her fingers for a moment.
"Come back." Martha asked. "No matter how long you're gone. Come back."
"I will."
"And take care of my son…" Martha took a deep breath. "…even when he thinks he doesn't need anyone."
"I always do." Diana said.
Clark looked up at her, a small smile appearing.
"Ready?"
"Now I am." Diana answered.
Martha took a deep breath, adjusted her hair, lifted her chin the way she did when she wanted to seem stronger than she felt.
"Go. Before I ask to come with you."
Diana laughed, leaned in, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"See you soon, Martha."
"See you soon, dear."
Clark stepped closer, lightly touching his mother's shoulder.
"I'll be back later."
"I know."
He took Diana's hand. The Speed Force pulsed, silent, ready.
And when they left, Martha stood at the door watching the empty space where they had been a second earlier, smiling because she was proud of both of them.