"Whatcha doin' there pal?"

"That's Coach Harper, what can I do for you?"

"Naw, I'm just passin' through."

"Excuse me, but do you have a visitor's pass?"

"How's this?"

'Too Good to be True'

'A' Part IV

By Songsix

Conner watched Ma and Pa with a blank stare as he tried to let the chaos of these past few weeks soak in. It was getting close to the holidays, to finals, and to the end of his tutoring sessions with Dick. There's been a lot going on under the Kent roof as Pa tried to figure out how to pay off the latest of their bills. More and more grocery stores, restaurants, and other marts have been buying from cheaper, lower quality out of the state producers. Ma had been thrown into the flurry as she collected many of the family's prized antiques hoping to sell them at the next flea market. Kara has been staying with them for a while just taking care of the chores and meals around the house to help. Conner has spent most of his time focused on his studies trying to keep his mind clear. Whenever he had free time he would sit there and watch, because he didn't know what else to do.

He never really noticed before how hard it's been for Ma and Pa to come up with the money to pay the bills, much less keep hot water and electricity going. He's never really asked or thought about much more about the fact they have so little. Sure, he is quite aware that he's damn lucky to have that scholarship to his school, but he's never thought about the extent of their financial problems. He did offer to them that he get a job to help support them, but they insisted he focused on school first so he could go to college and get a real career. He's sure he could spare some time to go to work, but then he forgot about those tutoring lessons and the fact it could be so easy for him to fail calculus.

He never really said anything to Ma, Pa, or even Kara, but if he did manage to keep his scholarship and pass calculus he could actually graduate early. With all the credits he's already earned through his advanced classes, and the efforts he's put after they admitted him he has the opportunity to leave after this semester. However, he's never wanted to bring it up, because the idea seemed too good to be true. Not like a country bumpkin like him could graduate early with honors right? But thanks to Dick, the idea seems to be possible. Then, it was actually because of that boy his plans changed too. As his grade started to go up, and he could start to hope, he then realized he didn't want to leave to college yet for new reasons. Not if it meant no more time with Dick. But it's not like that matters anymore. Especially since they couldn't even be friends anymore. Maybe it was time he told them? He didn't really have any need or wish to graduate with his class anyways, most of those kids were never truly his friends. He could just go to college finally, get a job, and help Ma and Pa make money…

Money…

College took money. He needed a scholarship. It's not scholarship season, and he forgot all about signing up for the earlier ones. The deadlines have probably past for this year. Great, he'd have to spend another semester waiting to be free of that school, to finally live his family's dream for him, and to finally help them out. Maybe he could just graduate early, and then take the semester off, get a job, earn money for college, and then go. But would everything he learned these past four years still retain? There were too many options and externalities to consider. All these thoughts made his head spin. He just wanted to hide away in his covers all day and will the world to stop turning. Everything about moving on seemed too complicated and too much to take in at once. Especially when he's realized something he never even given a thought to before.

He liked Boys.

How come he's never thought about this before? Why didn't he see it for himself before? Well, he's never taken too much interest in girls, but not much for guys either. Not until Dick anyways. Maybe he was bisexual…or conditionally gay. Does 'conditionally gay' even exist? Can you feel something for only one person of the same gender and still be straight? None of this really made sense to him, and none of his sex education classes really did a good job of helping with these details. All he learned was that all of them should take a small hand mirror and check out what's down there.

Not like any of that mattered either anyways. Dick was with Wally now, and there wasn't really anything he could do about it. He wished he could tell Dick he didn't have to do this, but he didn't want to lose his home. Ma and Pa loved their lives, and the city wasn't a safe place for them. There were too many memories linked to this place, too much Kent history. It was also the one thing he had left of his father. As lame as it may sound to other people, but he did have plans on majoring in agricultural studies so that he take on the farm after Pa past. He never had any intentions of letting anyone else take their home away.

Conner paddled on through his thoughts as he tossed a hacky sack between his hands. He didn't really feel like doing anything that day, and he already finished his chores. However, when his stomach started to grumble he found his way downstairs hoping to find Ma cooking up some grub. Unfortunately, he didn't know they had company. There was a man in a fine dark suit carrying a shiny leather briefcase. His hair was slicked back, there were deep wrinkles in his forehead, and his stare was empty and bored. He didn't like the looks of this man one bit.

"What's going on here?" He questioned, angry evident in his voice. Kara continued to work on a bowl of dough, but she sent him a worried look, trying to signal him to go back. He pretended not to see. He could feel her stare turn into a glare.

"Go up to your room Conner." Pa ordered, not bothering to look at him, determined to stay at the kitchen witht his strange man. Conner than realized Ma had a used tissue crumpled in her hand, and the tips of her eyes were raw and pink. She wore a weak smile knowing it would settle him, but he didn't miss the other signs. Now he was getting really angry.

"No. I want to know what's going on." He physically planted his feet into the ground, refusing to move as he crossed his arms defiantly. No one made Ma cry and got away with it. He was fuming now, and wanted answers.

"Just go to your room!" Pa's voice boomed all around the room. Everyone froze in their places in a slight shock. Kara put down the rolling pin and cut everyone off before anymore could be said. She placed a gentle arm around Conner's shoulders and started to lead him up the stairs. He could feel her warning nails digging lightly into his skin. He wanted to shove her away, turn around, and find out what's happening. She forced his gaze onto her eyes as she steered him away.

"C'mon, don't fight him." She warned, closing his bedroom door behind her. He slumped his body onto his bed with a loud thump. He leaned his elbows onto his knees glaring furiously at the floor trying to use his nonexistent heat vision to burn a hole into the kitchen ceiling and see what's going on. He knew it was serious. He knew it was because Ma was crying, because Kara wasn't babbling on, because no one was smiling…not with their eyes anyways.

"Who are those people?" He asked, softly, kicking a used rolled up sock between his feet, never meeting Kara's stare.

"Don't worry about it."

She didn't say anything else, and he could tell she was going to plant her feet in the ground too. The Kent family was well known for being hard headed folks. "Kara. I'm not a kid. You know that."

"They'll tell you later." Her voice was strained, and her reply was rather too quick. This really annoyed him. He felt a bit lost, and bothered that no one wanted to tell him anything. Did they think he was too stupid to understand? Did they think he wouldn't get it? Or maybe they didn't trust him. Aren't they supposed to be family? Shouldn't he have a part in what's going on if even Kara, who doesn't even live here, gets to be too? Why were they being so unfair! They always treated him like a little kid and–

"Why can't I know now?" He demanded to know, growing even more frustrated by the second.

"Because you have a temper, case and point right now." Kara commented, rolling her eyes and gesturing to the rolled up sock he was now stomping into smitherings. Conner stopped as soon as he realized what he was doing, and relaxed, blushly slightly, but still glaring.

"Whatever." He scoffed, looking away.

Kara smirked at him shaking her head walking towards the window and shoving it open. "Maybe you should get some fresh air." Was all she said, before leaving and shutting the door. Conner wasn't stupid, and thanks to Dick and Megan he was getting better at picking up hints. Quickly, and quietly, he climbed out of his room, and landed with a cushioned thud in the soft soil of the grass. As discreetly as he could he waited by the kitchen window Kara had left open…to cool the pie she had been baking, of course…

"You said we had until spring."

"Yes, that was until Mr. West realized it would be more profitable to obtain your land now. Especially since they would have to start the preparations for crops next season at this time."

"Does he really expect us to uproot and git just like that?" He could hear Pa and the strange man start to argue. Pa was never much a shouting type of guy, or one to glare. But there was a slight furious raise in his voice that told you he was upset.

"He has prepared a sum of money for your troubles. It's just enough to find a home in the city at short notice."

"This is unacceptable. This has been our home for so long, and we don't even get the chance to save it?" Ma charged in with, her voice shaky, and by the sounds of it she was ready to beat the man with Kara's rolling pin. He wouldn't stop her.

"Martha, it's O.K."

"No. It's not."

"Look just…can you come on a different day? Right now is not a good time."

"But sir–"

"It's late, and well past curfew in this household. I think it's best you leave. You can come back Thursday morning."

"Alright. I expect you to be ready to sign some documents."

"Have a good night." When he heard the front door rattle, and the man start his car he made his way into the house. Ma and Pa didn't seem the least surprised that he'd been listening. Kara shut the window and continued to prep the pie.

"So that's it? We're giving up?" Conner exasperated, sitting down with them, burying his head in his arms. He looked up at their faces, and was taken aback to find Pa look so...

"Conner, there's not much we can do."…sad. It tore him up a little. If Pa gave up, was there no hope?

"Can't we earn the money somehow? Why didn't you guys just let me get a job?" He questioned accusingly, but Ma placed an affectionately hand on his arm and rubbed soothing squeezes in. She smiled down at, and he knew she was trying but there was nothing that could make this better. Not unless they had an answer for him other than to just give up. He was confused, wasn't there anything they could do? Had they already look at all their options? There was no way they could lose the farm. Suddenly, he thought of West, and a fire shot up his spine.

"Even if you did it wouldn't have been enough. There's nothing we can do Honey."

"What about a loan or an investor or something!" He shouted, sitting upright slamming his fists onto the table top. Ma's hand never left this arm, and Pa didn't get angry. Kara said nothing and sat down with them. Now he definitely knew this was all serious.

"Conner you don't understand." Kara tried, but he was quick to cut her off.

"Then make me understand."

Pa sighed, sitting back in his chair folding his hands neatly in his lap. In a flat voice h explained, "We can't get a loan big enough, because the bank doesn't see this farm as a good risk."

"Let me guess, investors thought so too?" Conner snarled, rolling his eyes. Ma chuckled at him, slightly amused and also empathetic. If he could, he'd go find that suit guy and give him a piece of his mind. He was really starting dislike businessmen.

"No, actually we did get an offer one of Clark's old friends. However, the court did not see the logic in the land falling under Wayne Enterprises over Blue Valley Farms." Pa explained gently, before taking a long sip of juice from the glass Kara poured out from him. She nudged another towards Conner. At first he only pushed it away, but then he realized his throat was dry from all the yelling. Taking a large gulp he almost choked when it finally hit him…

"Wayne? Dad was friends with Bruce Wayne?" It couldn't be…

"Yes, didn't Dick ever say anything?" …His dad and Dick's dad were friends.

"Maybe he never knew." Ma suggested, shrugging her shoulders.

A million questions popped into his head, but they needed to be saved for later. There were more important issues at hand. "So there's no other way to save the farm?"

"Not unless Mr. West decides to change his mind." Even just hearing that guy's name made Conner's eye twitch. How could Wally let this happen to his family? And over something as petty as a boyfriend. That guy was such a jerk. How could anyone be that way. He didn't get it.

"I don't get it."

"What don't you get son?"

"I just–" Conner started, his head down and his gaze dark. Until he snapped his neck up with eyes blazing and teeth seething. "–you promised nothing would happen to my home!"

"Dude, I don't know what you're talking about!" Wally insisted, as Conner shoved into the wall of cold, metal lockers. His hands fisted into the collar of his polo, and his nose only inches from his.

"Don't act stupid West! I know what's going on between you and Dick!" Conner yelled into his face, spit flying into his face. Wally didn't even flinch, but did move his hand to wipe the specks from his cheeks. He never broke his glare from Conner's.

"Lay off of me! I didn't do anything wrong!" He argued, shoving him away with all his strength almost slipping on the tiled school floor. People started to gather around, everyone carrying amused or curious expressions waiting for someone to throw a punch. They started to circle each other, but before anything could actually go down Megan shoved her way through the crowd shoving them a part. Dick wasn't too far behind her, his cane clicking against the ground hard and fierce.

"What is Conner talking about?" He demanded to know. Conner saw Wally's apple bob heavily as he gulped, but their glare down never broke.

"Artemis told me the truth. Now admit what you did." Conner accused, jabbing his finger into Wally's chest, pushing him back towards the locker wall. Wally was just about to push back when Dick stopped him with his cane.

"What is he talking about?"

Wally kept his glare for a second longer, before finally dropping it and taking Dick's hands into his holding them desperately. His face solemn and guilty as he attempted to explain. "I lied to you Dick."

"W-What?"

"Yeah, lied about leaving my home alone." Conner spat out bitterly.

"No…" Wally breathed out quietly, before finally confessing"…I never actually had any control over that. It was going to happen either way."

There was a tense silence, and whispers among the crowds. Megan gasped shaking her head in disapproval. Conner was both astonished and strangely relieved. But he was still angry. No matter what he was losing his home, even if Dick didn't have to be with Wally anymore. His whole body visibly relaxed. But Dick…he was quiet in a very scary sort of way, before finally muttering out, "you're such a selfish prick, you know that?" Turning around and walking away in a hurry. Conner grabbed Dick's shoulder, and was about to tell him he'd be there and that he cared and that it was O.K. But Dick shoved him away. What hurt was the fact Conner knew in his heart, in the gentle way Dick pushed him away, he knew it was Conner…and he didn't want his comfort.

Conner stood lonesome in the crowd of people watching Dick walk away, hurt and betrayal written all over his face not wanting anyone's comfort…

"I'm sorry Dick. I just…I needed you."…except Wally's, who ran after him, turning him around and holding the boy close. Dick didn't push, or shove. He still appeared angry, but he didn't push. Conner's chest throbbed.

"Don't apologize to me." It didn't make sense…

"I don't have anything to say to Kent. He doesn't deserve it." Wally hurt him…

"Would you listen to yourself! Your family is taking away his home!" Why Wally? Why not him? He didn't hurt him…

"I know that! But do you really think I have any control of what my dad does? I thought you of all people would get that." How could Dick push him away?

"I do. But that's beside the point of what you did to Conner, using me." Conner couldn't comprehend the words going through his mind and all around him. Everything was turning into a blur, and all the voices were dull screeches. He was confused, lost, and now alone.

Dick didn't want him, apparently.

"Conner I–" Megan started, but than it all turned into loud screams as a shot broke into the air.

"Everyone putcha hands to their head and noses to the floor! Now." It was Conner's first instinct to grab Megan and drop to the ground.

"Oh my god, Coach Harper." He couldn't see over all the students, but he could hear in their voices the man must have done something horrible. He heard a dull thump, an awful sound like a body hitting the ground. No…they couldn't have…what's…

"Oh fuck, oh god…oh my god…fuck…" It was Wally's voice that told him what they had done to Coach Harper. There were about five of them, clad in heavy clothing and armed dangerously.

"Shit man!"

"Is this even real?!"

"Everyone to the floor now!"

"Now's I wanna see West's and Wayne's kids stand up." Conner ached to get up and do something, but what could he do? "Congrats kiddos, thanks to yer rich daddies you get to be our favorites."

Author's Note: Let's see…

Yadda Yadda Yadda Yadda…er…thankyou for still reading! Every year at DATR Blue Knights Drum Corp perform 'Can't Take My Eyes Off of You' at the end of the competition. That reminded me to update this.
Sorry for the Delay BM, but I swear I won't quit on this even though you said I could. I will finish this I swear it! You wanted a Robin and Superboy fic, and I say I'd make one. So I'm finishing it.