Title: Eden
Author: Hélio Rei
Spoilers: Smallville, Comics, Superman, etc.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Clois but also adventure, action, etc.
Author's Notes: I hope you like it.
Part 1:
Metropolis University Football Camp, 2009:
"This is last chance for the Metropolis Bulldogs to win this game against the Gotham Knights: the score is 21-23, advantage for the Gotham Knights. The pressure is all on the side of the Metropolis Bulldogs and especially on Clark Kent, the Bulldogs's quarterback. I wouldn't want to be his place right now." – The sport's commentator spoke.
On the field, he is completely focused on the game: he knows how important this is for his football career: in the next move, he plays all, risks all. The team knows his instructions, everyone knows what to do: 20,000 people have their eyes fixed on him. Today, he will become part of the history, a hero if he wins or he will be a complete loser that history will delete of its records.
"Here we go, 25 seconds to the end: the judge whistles, Nº32, Rucka throws the ball to nº8, Kent: he takes a few steps back waiting for someone of his team mates to be alone but he sees no one….wait there is one, nº15, Ross, Kent sees and throws the ball….the ball…the ball… ROSS CATCHES IT…..AND SCORES! UNBELIEVABLE! THE METROPOLIS BULLDOGS ARE THE NEW CHAMPIONS AND CLARK KENT IS THE HERO OF THE GAME!" – The commentator spoke completely overwhelmed by the play.
On the field, he felt like the king of the world, he made the team win the championship and his teammates looked at him with a mix of respect, thrill and admiration: they lifted him up and carried him on their shoulders.
He looked at him, his long time friend: Pete Ross, the one who was his teammate since Smallville High.
"YOU DID IT MAN!" - He yelled, totally thrilled, pointing his fingers up.
"No Pete, WE DID IT!" – He put in his hands in the air, completely happy, victorious: one of his greatest wishes had come true, the victory of the national championship.
He took a good look at the crowd, enthusiastic too with the victory: all he could see were people waving their hands in the air, hugging each other, yelling "Bulldogs! Bulldogs! Bulldogs!". He focused his vision to see his friends and family while he was been carried: he was able to see his mother, his brother Chris, Chloe, Bart and Lana. He didn't' see his father, Lex and Lois: either he couldn't see them or they didn't make it.
He only saw them for instances before going to the showers, to continue the festivities: throwing champagne, water, everything was an option and not even the coach escape. After a few hours, Clark and Pete came out of the stadium to the parking car where their friends waited for him.
They walked side by side when Pete turned his face to Clark, while walking.
"Man, do you have any idea how many chicks am I going nail because of this?"
"yeah…Pete." - He stated, unimpressed. – "Aren't you dating Lana?"- He asked suddenly, inquisitive, remembering the fact that his friend and Lana were giving themselves a try.
"Yeah, you're right…" – Embarrassed, Pete realized immediately that he put a foot in mouth.
"So I've heard…" - he raised an eyebrow facing his friend: soon his attention was to their friends waiting for them. Clark saw his little brother Chris, running towards him who Clark lifted with his arms once they got close.
"Hey easy there champion…."
"No way! Today the champ is my big bro…."
As soon as they approached their friends, hugs and kisses for the new heroes of the city of Metropolis.
"Wow! You were fantastic there!" – Chloe exclaimed, glad.
"We know, we know!" – He exhibited.
"Will you knock it off?" – raising his eyebrows slightly annoyed.
"Man got to taste fame before it ends…."
"I want an exclusive about the MVP of season….Mr. Quarterback"
"Fine Chloe…whatever." – Clark smiled at her.
Bart approaches Clark. – "Hey…Hey…Hey… dude, look at you! Who would have known? Champ, ah?"
"Hey, I'm glad you make it here. How did you get here?"
"I took a shortcut…" - he spoke causing Clark to smile at his "suggestion".
Lana approached with a mix of happiness and sadness: "Congratulations! You deserve it! I'm sorry that Lex didn't make it. Business as usual."
"Your dad too son." – Martha took the opportunity created by Lana.
"I understand." – He turned to Chloe. – "Lois?"
Chloe lowered her head, sadly. - "I'm sorry Clark. She was stuck at the Planet."
"Oh I see…" - he was disappointed at Chloe's excuse.
"Anyway, Lex told me to drive you at his place for a small celebration." – Lana spoke trying lift up Clark's moral. – "Let's go."
"Ok…"- still expressing his frustration.
They arrived at Lex's mansion in the richest area of Metropolis, sort of Beverly Hills of Metropolis, where Mercedes, Ferraris, BMW, Rolls Royce, pools and houses with more than 5000 square meters were common.
They entered the mansion, being conducted to one of the several dinning rooms in that mansion by the one of Lex's butlers.
Waiting for them were Jonathan and Lex with tables full of food, drinks and a small orchestra that began playing when they stepped in the room.
"Wow dude! Talking about first impression…Seems like it's going to be one hell of a party!" – He declared, overwhelmed by the scenario. By Bart's comment, Chloe punched him in his back.
"What?"
"Stop it!" – She whispered.
Clark approached his father and they hugged.
"Congratulations Son!"
"Thanks dad!"
"You know that I don't completely agree with this adventure but I'm here to support you son!" – He spoke smiling proudly at Clark
Once they stopped hugging.
Clark turned now to Lex who was standing aside Jonathan.
"Lex…"
"Clark Kent, the MVP of the season….national champion…" - they hugged. – "… and my friend… Congratulations!"
As they stopped hugging, Jonathan grabbed a cup with champagne and raised it in the air.
"A toast to our champions." – He made a pause waiting for the rest to gather a cup of champagne. – "To the future, so that many other victories may come and they certainly will. To the future!"
Rest of the people: "To the future!"
After the toast, everyone sat to start having dinner: the food was great and the company was excellent but he still wasn't having the best of fun. She wasn't there to share his joy, his happiness but still he was hopeful that his girlfriend, the reporter Lois Lane would arrive at any moment.
Still thinking about her, his thoughts were interrupted by the calling of his cell phone. He immediately got up and went straight to his cell phone: expectant, hoping that could be Lois calling but it wasn't her calling but nevertheless it was a friendly call.
"Ryan! How are you?"
"Hey Clark, how is it going? I saw the news. Congrats!"
"Thanks!" – He replied slightly embarrassed.- "So how is Coast City?"
"Fantastic Clark! You're right all along…but enough of me…so tell me how does it feel to be a champion?"
"Wonderful!"- He replied, enthusiastic. – "I'm now at Lex's place having dinner with my parents and friends."
"Hey I wish that I could be there…"
Clark sensing the sad tone in Ryan's voice had an idea.
"I have an idea. Wait a couple of minutes." – He left his cell phone on the table and ran to one window. He opened the window when Lex talked to him.
"What're you doing?" – He asked confused, seeing Clark putting one foot in the window.
"Taking a leap to Coast City. I'm bringing Ryan."
"Be a little more discreet. Do it in my office." - He stated.
Clark realizing the situation, redrawn, accepting Lex's suggestion, going to his office to take the leap.
He flew to Coast City as fast as he could to, arriving at Ryan's apartment arriving at the door's apartment three minutes later after his departure from Lex's mansion.
He pressed the door bell and after a few moments, the door opened with Ryan complete surprised by Clark's appearance.
"Clark!"- They ran into each other, hugging.
"I told you to wait a couple of minutes!" – He teased, smiling.
"No time no see!" - He declared.
Clark's smile faded. - "I'm sorry: between Smallville, College and football, there isn't much time."
"So why are you here?"
"taking you in a little trip to Metropolis: Want a lift?" – He smiled at him.
"yeah! Sure! My mom is spending some time with her sister so I guess I'm free."
"Great! Let's go."
Carrying Ryan in his back, Clark flew back to Metropolis, to Lex's mansion arriving at the same office where he first departed.
Clark opened the door and addressed to everyone: Hey guys! I have a surprise for you… - after Clark spoke Ryan steps forward only to surprise everyone.
"Ryan!" – She ran to Ryan and hugged him. After hugging him, she put her hands on his face. – "How are you? I've missed you so much." – And she hugged him again.
"I want one of those hugs from mommy." – said the little boy, annoyed, slightly jealous.
Clark whispered at Chris's ear: "You're getting those all the time."
"mmfff…."
Noticing that her wife was continuing holding Ryan in her arms, Jonathan deiced to intervene. - "Martha, you're chocking the boy." – He teased.
"Oh!" – She stopped holding Ryan, slightly embarrassed. – "Sorry. I guess I let myself carry away sometimes."
The good environment surrounding that room turned hours into minutes like always: the good times pass quickly.
Pete grabbed Clark and guided him into a corner.
"Listen man, I've got to go. It's getting late and I want an advice from you."
"Me?" – He asked surprised. – About what?
"Not what but who. It's Lana."
"She has grown in you, hasn't she?" – He asked somehow still surprised: Pete always acted like a playboy after his crush on Chloe and for that he was surprised and curious about Pete pursuing Lana.
"Kind of. I want to see where it goes. Any advice?"
"One. Be yourself." – He stated putting his hand on Pete's shoulder.
"Thanks." – He smiled at Clark's reply.
Jonathan approached Clark and Pete: "Clark do you have a minute? Lex and I would like to have a conversation with you in his office."
"Go ahead. Anyway, I was just leaving. Thanks for everything Mr. Kent."
Pete left Clark and Jonathan. Curious, Clark asked his father: "What's going on?"
"I'll explain to you in Lex's office." – They walked to Lex's office where Lex was already waiting for them.
"Clark, take a seat." – Clark sat as Jonathan closed the door and walked to Lex's side. Clark saw the serious looks in their faces and sensed that something bad happened.
Lex handed to Clark a file: "Here take a look at this."
Clark opened the file and began reading and analyzing the essence of the file: once he realized what it was, he looked again at his dad and Lex, smiling at him.
"This is a 3 year contract offer from the Metropolis Sharks!" – He stated thrilled.
"We've been in negotiations with the Metropolis Sharks Board from the last 2 weeks but only today we've made a deal. That's we weren't at the public."
"Thanks Lex, Dad. This is great!"
"As your manager, you should accept it: it's the best offer." – He stated, convinced.
"For a minute, you scared me." - Clark confessed, relieved.
"That was the intention." – Jonathan teased, smiling.
"Wow, I still can't believe it." – He shook his head, still shocked with the news.
"Well, get used to it, Shark!"
Clark smiled at that statement: a dream come true, since he was a kid, he desired to play in the Metropolis Sharks. His future seemed promising.
"Anyway Clark, we appreciate if you kept this in a low profile before it goes public." – He advised regaining a more serious attitude.
"Ok." – He simply nodded.
"Now that the news has been delivered, I suggest that we go to other room, celebrating."
"You're right. We have been here too long."
They stepped outside Lex's office and scattered across the room.
For Clark, it was an incredible day: his team won the championship, he had a contract offer and he was surrounded by his friends and family. There was something, better yet, someone who wasn't at his side to share his happiness, the woman he loved, Lois Lane.
Still thinking about Lois Lane, his cell phone vibrated: an incoming message. He picked his cell phone to read it: it was from Lois.
"Hey there handsome: I've heard that you've won a title and you're celebrating with your friends. I was hoping that you would step in my place so that we can have our private celebration. You know where to find me. With Love, Lois."
He smiled from ear to ear, catching Chloe's attention.
"Clark, what's with "I-won-the-lottery" smile?" – She frowned in curiosity.
"Can't you see? It's Lois: he's always like this when she's around. He reminds me Goofy." – He stated as he approached Chloe and Clark but he didn't noticed Martha behind him.
"Young man, what have I told you about eavesdropping?" – She asked trying to act tuff.
"But Mommy! Clark does it all the time." – He tried for an excuse but he sensed his mother wasn't buying it. – "Life is unfair."- He concluded, upset.
"Mom…."
"Don't worry about Ryan. We have a spare room at our apartment, so he can stay there." – She stated.
Clark smiled at her affirmation: sometimes, she was a step ahead of him as if she could read his mind.
"Thanks, mom." – He ran away at super-speed to meet his love one.
She arrived at Kent farm, later than she predicted: it was some time since last she visited the Kents and especially Clark Kent. He was more an outsider than anything else in that family so the opportunities such as this one to meet again Clark weren't many.
She parked the car and grabbed the suitcase with her necessary stuff to spend the weekend there: she knocked at the door hoping that someone would come and opened the door but to her surprise no one came. She tried the kitchen entrance and it was curious that it was open at that time.
She left her suitcase in the kitchen as she steeped in the kitchen and walked around the house calling for the house owners.
"Mrs. Kent? Clark?" – She insisted, going upstairs but there was no one. Looking from Clark's room window, she saw light in the barn and so she decided to go there to take a peak.
She ran to the barn: as she stepped in the barn, she started again calling for the Kents.
"Mrs. Kent?" – She called for them, walking around the barn until she stopped noticing there was someone in the loft. She climbed the stairs: as she climbed the stairs she realized who was in the loft.
"Hey there Smallville! What's going with you? You suddenly became deaf?" – She asked, annoyed, looking at a motionless Clark Kent, his back facing her.
She stepped in front of him, looking directly at him: "Listen, I'm here to spend a good weekend away from the city and the stress so that I can have some rest and right now you aren't helping…."- she looked at him, noticing no reaction coming from Clark.
"Since when did you become mime? You can drop the act, this isn't funny." – She stated frowning annoyance at his absence reaction. She realized that Clark remain the same: same facial expression as if he truly became a statue.
From annoy, Lois became worry: she snapped her fingers in front of his eyes but no response what so ever. She checked his pulse: normal like any other.
In her eyes, Clark was a living statue: somehow, now she had a serious case in from of her.
"Smallville? Clark?"
To be continued…