i c - i n b o x

[beunbroken]

"Hello! You've reached Elizabeth! Please leave a message and I'll get back to you, promise!"

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voice;

[andaway]

[A nod. No one who was so heartbroken would easily forgive if she wasn't sure.]

Then I'm glad you finally know how a father loves their daughter, dear.

voice;

[beunbroken]

[He wasn't fully forgiven. Not by a long shot. But Booker recognized that, and was trying to make it up to her. But simply the fact that he'd told her he loved her, that he'd, of his own free will, taken her into his arms and kissed her, spoke volumes.]

He gave me away because he loved me. He thought giving me to Comstock would give me a life I could never have had with him. He's never forgiven himself for it. He said I was his debt. That I couldn't just be wiped away.

I know it sounds suspect, but... Booker DeWitt is my father. He tried to give me Paris, but he's given me a whole new world.

voice;

[andaway]

[The words honestly hit close to home for Clark, even if he can't really explain why. His father had sent him out from a dying planet to the stars without even knowing if he'd survive to give him the chance of an actual life, to give him the chance to carry Krypton's hopes and dreams. Would Jor-El have ever forgiven himself, if he had found out Kal had died instead of reaching Earth?]

Elizabeth, I... I was adopted myself. And I'd be lying if I hadn't resented my biological parents for sending me away, for tossing me away in front of a farm when I was just a day old. My adoptive parents loved me dearly and I'm grateful for them, but I always thought that the fact I had gotten lucky didn't mean what my biological parents had done wasn't horrible.

Eventually, though, I understood they wanted to protect me, and give me an actual life. Wanted me to be safe.

So while I reacted the way I did to the man, I... kind of I understand what you mean, what you're going through. Maybe not completely, but in a way I do.

voice;

[beunbroken]

[Elizabeth presses her lips together, listening to Clark's words, letting them resignate. It was no wonder, he really did understand. Granted, Clark's adoptive parents hadn't been torturing him or locking him away. And she envied him for that. She nods, before speaking, chosing her words carefully.]

Wow. Thank you, Clark, for, ah, sharing that with me. It's nice to know that, to some degree, someone else understands. Both of our parents did what was best for us. Or, what they thought was for the best. My mother- my real mother, died during child birth. That meant that Booker was alone with me, and he didn't think he could raise a child on his own. From what I know of his life back then... Well, he's a lot smarter than he gives himself credit for, so I'm sure he would have found a way.

I don't know what Robert told him, but he wanted his daughter to have the best life she could have. It's just a pity it turned out to be lies.

voice;

[andaway]

[So that's why the whole thing turned out the way it did, Clark had been wondering. A little part of him tells him that they don't know for sure since that's only Booker's version, but he guesses if she's so sure he must have proven himself. And he's always been one to give people second chances anyway.]

It's indeed a pity, but I'm glad you guys have found a second chance together, even- [Even if you won't remember any of this when you get back home. No, that's too cruel.] even if you had to get kidnapped to another world altogether to get it.

voice;

[beunbroken]

I'm glad, too... Back at home... I was afraid I'd never see him again. [She'd given up her freedom, to spare Booker his life. She'd allowed Songbird to take her back to Comstock House, to be experimented on and tortured, so that Booker could live. She even had audio confirmation that Booker wouldn't come, now. But she still kept up hope. Hope that he would have saved her in that world.]

But we're never going back to that world.

voice;

[andaway]

No, you won't. [The determination on his voice surprises even himself. Sometimes they need these reminders that they aren't fighting just for themselves, just for their world. That this is bigger than all of them- and some people depend on this place, expect to stay here.]

Thanks for reassuring me, dear.

voice;

[beunbroken]

[She knows she won't. The late emperor said, if it was possible, she could remain here. And Pavel... Pavel wanted her to come to his universe with him. And she'd accepted.]

You're welcome, Clark. Thank you for checking up on me.