If Hayley had any doubts about bringing Kon along, they were immediately dispelled both with the smile he gave her and the words that followed. He was serving the exact purpose she hoped he would and, somehow, it was beneficial to Superman as much as to Hayley. That knowledge made her feel somewhat less selfish about the act of dragging the cousin along, even as it remained almost entirely self-centered. She hoped this would help ease her relationship with Kon too; another selfish agenda.

His straightening to full height did little to ease her tension, but it didn't worsen. She simply glanced back at Kon as another silent reminder, becoming consciously aware of the tension in her muscles. She focused on forcing them to relax. Not a second into failing at the effort, Clark's words cut into her consciousness. Instead of anxiety, she expression shifted to one of general discomfort.

"I don't hate you," she replied quickly, disgusted with herself at the soft edge of desperation that clung to the words. Hayley continued more levelly. "And it's not about what you can do. It was, before, kind of.- Hannibal made me afraid of your powers but he's gone and it's over and I know you wouldn't do that."