Title: Hourglass
By: gddg3696
Disclaimer: I own nothing Smallville and/or Superman
Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews! Now, I know I'm a little early in the ballgame to be asking for your opinion, but I really have to ask. I've got about 2 other chapters after this one written, and to continue, I need to know where you readers want it to go. I know there aren't many of you, but either way So, I need to know. Do you want Lois to be pregnant? I won't be offended if you don't like the idea. I have a couple other ideas up my sleeve ;)
The barn looks the same as it did the last time I was here. I peer at the couch, and a blush creeps up my cheeks. Memories flood through me, of his touch and his scent, of our lovemaking all over, haphazardly across his loft. His Fortress of Solitude. If anywhere has answers, I'd be here.
She couldn't tell me. I can't say I don't understand. It's not Chloe's place to reveal the enigma that is Clark Kent. I lurk around quietly, staring at the telescope, the sky, when I realize I can drop the cloak and dagger act. No one is around.. Sighing, I walk around, towards a bookcase on the left wall.
Yearbooks of the Smallville crows, a box with a green meteor rock, books, on astronomy, and sports, and faith. Pictures, so many albums, of birthdays, milestones, friends. Trophies, and certificates, awards and plaques. Though what he does is so much more than any prize or title can justify. I sigh, not for the first time.
These are the makings of his childhood, his teenage dreams and accomplishments, his life. I pull out a light leather bound book, and flip it open. A journal. Filled with…
Great. Gibberish. What, did Smallville decipher hieroglyphics in his spare time, just for laughs? Behind it are pages, all neatly stacked of various symbols, again and again, and again. What do they mean?
I leaf through the pages of the journal. Clark always was fascinated with the oddest things.
What was that? English? A combination of the familiar 26 letters?
'Kawatche Caves'. The only English words in this whole collection of symbols. I know a lead when I see one. Shelby trots up, and for a moment I am aghast. Who's been feeding the animals? Managing the crops? I wonder who's taking care of the upkeep of the farm. Surely Mrs. K knows where he is, or at least why he left. Ben Hubbard, I recall. The neighbour who handles the farm when the Kents are away, or too busy. Shelby looks too happy to be starving to death, anyhow.
"Come here, Shelbs. Up on the couch with me. I know you're not usually allowed, but I really need someone." Of course the mutt gladly complies. Silly dog. Blissfully unaware that his owner is wandering around God knows where doing God knows what.
I whip out my laptop. 1,110 results. Most of them involving words like, 'Native People', 'Tribe', 'History', 'LuthorCorp' and, alas, 'Smallville, Kansas, U.S.A.'. Time for a ride.
\S/
In the car, in such a tight space, I'm consumed with thoughts. He left. He said Goodbye to Chloe, but not me. Never me. I wonder what he's doing. Was I so insignificant, I didn't deserve to see him one more time before he took off? He's so special. He could be anywhere in the world, he could have anything and do whatever he wanted. I thought for a moment… Just for a moment, when we were whispering hushed I love yous, and when he held me oh so safe in his arms, that maybe he didn't have to keep looking. Maybe he had found what he wanted. Maybe he wanted me.
But I woke up from that desirable fantasy the moment I woke up in the dark, alone, cold. Maybe he wanted me, once upon a time. But not anymore. Never me.
\S/
"Hey, Chloe?" I say into the receiver. I sigh. It's the first time I've come in contact with her in 2 weeks. It's hard to contact someone, though, I guess, when you're running around the world drinking yourself into a stupor and club hopping. Can't teach an old dog new tricks.
"Yeah, Ollie."
"I'm right outside, can I come in?". Silence. The tension is palpable, and we're not even in the same room yet.
"Um. You've... You've never asked before. I… I don't suppose you have to, you all sort of just… Come in."
"This isn't a League thing, Chlo. I was wondering if we could talk." The truth is I have nowhere else to go. Even back when I was a child I coped by partying until I was unconscious somewhere. I'm surprised my liver still functions. But I'm not just here for me. I'm not the only one in this.
"Oh, and Oliver Queen, emerald archer is suddenly making house calls? I don't have much free time on my hands, Ollie, and-"
"Bullshit, Chloe. Free time is ALL you have." I burst into the room, a presence with me. A man on a mission. She takes a seat on the couch, trying to look casual.
"Look, Chloe. I'm… I'm worried about you." Confusion fills her face. When was the last time someone worried about her? The last time someone cared if she was okay, on this little hero band wagon. I can't recall.
"Worried? Oliver, honestly, I'm fine. Metropolis is looking great, even without.." I'm quick to interrupt her. I may have been gone, but I kept a close watch.
"You don't sleep, Chlo. You don't eat. You don't even work, Chloe, you're just going through the motions. When are you going to start living again." She gives a shaky breath, and sits down. She shakes her head, and looks up at my, glassy eyed.
"Ollie… I… I gave everything… There's…. Th-there's nothing left." I look at her, not probing, but hoping she'll continue.
"Since we were kids, I gave Clark my time, my energy, my patience. I don't regret it but it's always… Taken so much out of me. And now, he's just gone, and it's like he's taken some of me with him." I put my hand on her. But she jerks it away, and rises from the couch.
"I gave Jimmy my heart and soul, and I know it wasn't much; wasn't enough… But he had it all the same, and then he gave it back wounded. And he was gone… Gone forever. Lois. My cousin, my sister, I laughed with her, and shared so much joy, and she had to leave too…"
She is sobbing, now. And I don't know what to do. She is beautiful, and she is broken. She is broken, and I know, that she didn't deserve this. She should be a reporter, one of the best, by her cousin's side. Her best friend should just be a farmer she used to be in love with. She should grow old with beautiful children and in love with a husband. She should be happy.
"Chloe… I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there… When you needed me. When you needed someone. I went off to cope, and instead of sticking together, I've… We've all drifted apart." I get up and put her in my arms. She pulls away, a little, but I don't loosen my hold one bit.
"But you're wrong. I'm here for you, now. I'm sorry I wasn't before. It'll be okay, Chloe. You're… You're not alone." I say softly. She slowly wraps her arms around me and holds on tight, and I revel in the feel of it.
"Not anymore." Chloe whispers, and I laugh lightly, and hold onto her tighter.
\S/
It's dark, and cold in here. I wish I'd brought a sweater, but too late now. My reporter's instincts were only sharpened in Africa, and if anything, I'm more perceptive. The walls… covered in beautiful paintings, exactly like the journal. Shit. Did I put it back? Argh. Oh well, not like I could read it, anyway.
There's one… a man. A man, lifting many men, strong. A man with blazing flames from his eyes. The Blur? No, these cave paintings are older than any one lifetime. A man… And a dark haired woman, adorned with a blue jewelled encrusted bracelet. The illustration is o simplistic. But I need to see… And unexplainable pull…Like gravity. It's a little high, but I can just reach…
\S/
"Lois is back." I say, since I can't think of anything else. We're sitting on the sofa, after we cried ourselves out in each other's arms. He's still holding me.
"Really? I wasn't exactly sure when… Have you seen her?" Ollie says, surprised.
"She stopped by, briefly. She said she was going to call me, but that was hours ago. I don't expect her to, not really. She didn't know Clark was M.I.A.", I remark. Oliver's eyes grow as big as saucers. He shakes his head.
"So, what. , He says incredulously, " Clark said have fun in Africa, and then she came home to find the place ghost towned?" I chuckle at his assessment. The action feels a little foreign.
"Probably. Although Lois said she saw him and they just talked. She fell asleep, and woke up to find him gone." I'm sombre now. Oliver shifts next to me, and looks at me.
"Listen, Chlo. I… I understand if you want to be alone," And my eyes widen. Until he got here, I didn't realize that that's not what I want at all. What I want is to NOT be alone. He smirks, and I imagine my eyes give it away.
"I meant to say, if you DO happen to want company, I'm sorry that I need to leave…" I pull away from him a little, mostly to get a better view at the expression on his face.
"I have this Queen Industries thing tonight, and trust me; I've been putting it off for a while. The board… They think I've gotten careless, and that I'm not taking care of Queen Industries 'Best Interest'. So I have to show tonight." I nod understandingly. The world can't stop spinning, and if it did, it certainly wouldn't be on my account.
"So, I was wondering… if you'd come with me." I furrow my brow. Come… with him? Out? In public?
"I… what, you need some arm candy?" I ask, half teasing, half wondering if this is a joke.
"I'd like for me not to be alone. And I'd like it if you came with me." Oliver says this so seriously, I'm partially worried. Lois always said he had some communication problems. He seems pretty direct to me.
"Err… It won't… Be long, will it? Not more than a few hours?" He grins like a Cheshire cat, and I can't help but smile at the fact that I managed to get that grin on his face.
"No more than a few. I just need an appearance and to socialize and discuss. If you get bored, you can always take the limo back."
"Don't worry, I say, nestling back in the circle of his arms. "I wouldn't leave you hanging." And I swear I hear him whisper,
"I know."
\S/
I wake up on the floor. Of the caves? Did I pass out in there? No, no, it's too bright. It's too… White. A hospital. Oh god. Did I manage to injure myself on my first day back? Well, I wouldn't put it past me. I'm not exactly 'prudent'. Why does this place look so familiar…
"Heaven." I whisper. A booming voice chortles. I quickly sit up.
"No, Lois Lane. This is not Heaven. This is Kal-El's fortress."
"What the hell's going on? Where the hell are you? Show yourself!" Panic. I'm in the middle of an… ice structure… It's… well, it's incredible. For a reporter I'm surprisingly speechless. Talking to an invisible man. Not the first thing I wanted to do when I got back.
"I am but a voice, Lois Lane. I am a program, downloaded to think, but not to act. My body perished with my planet."
"Get real! Alright, I'm out of here." I walk out, but his voice seems to follow me.
"Please, Lois Lane. Your body will not be able to handle the harsh conditions of the Artic. Go to the crystal console and touch the glowing crystal."
"No thanks thunder throat, I'll pass. I'd rather play Where's Waldo with Clark than touch your magic stone."
"The man you know as Clark Kent is here." My eyes widen.
"What do you mean?"
"Lois Lane, I will show you Clark Kent after you touch the crystal."
"Well. It's not like I have anything else to do, right?" I say sarcastically.
"Right." I sigh.
"What, they didn't have sarcasm on your planet?"
"Krypton was a very literal planet, my daughter. We did not need to fruitless exaggerations that you humans seem to rely on. Mostly for humour, but in your case I sense it as a means of deflection. Defence mechanism, perhaps."
"If I touch the crystal, you'll let me see Clark."
"You may see Kal-El afterwards, yes."
"I don't WANT to see 'Kale-El', I want to see CLARK."
"Very well!, the voice says, exasperated, "They are one and the same, my dear. You may see Clark after."
"Fine." And I reach towards it. If it brings me to Clark, I'll do anything.
\S/
MAY 2010
I couldn't do it. Goodby. Indefinitely. No, I knew I couldn't. To say it out loud would make it real. If she woke up still in my arms… If she told me she loves me one more time… I would never leave. But I had to say something. Maybe an email, so she could check it in Africa. But what do I say? 'Lois, I'll see you I a year. Have fun?' In person? No, she would see right through me. She would ask questions. I sigh, run a finger through my hair. First, I'd better see Chloe. And mom. And Oliver, too. I kissed her forehead, I whispered I loved her, and I made my way to the door.
"Whoa." I was… well, I was dizzy. The feeling was wrong. I've ever been dizzy in my life. Some kind of kryptonite? I wasn't supposed to… to…
Darkness.
\S/
"Welcome back, my son." I groaned. Jor-el…
"Father! Why am I here in the fortress! There are still people I need to see."
"I am sorry, Kal-El. I allocated you 5 hours, and you chose to spend them as you did. I cannot delay your education any longer. It's been precisely 5 hours."
"Jor-el! I need more time! I need…"
"You need to train Kal-El. Surely those who you did not get the opportunity to see will understand. The longer you resist my son, the longer I must keep you here." My eyes widen.
"When will you stop asking things from me!" I murmur, mostly to myself.
"When you stop taking!" is my Father's harsh reply. I instantly recoil. He is right. I've committed myself to be a hero; I have to follow through. I enjoyed training, last fall, I remember. It was very comforting to have all my questions answered.
"No more than a year?" I ask once again.
"To the day, my son." And I sigh.
"Alright, Jor-El. Teach me." One year. I couldn't expect her to wait. But she would always be the most important thing in my world.
IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE AUTHORS NOTE AT THE TOP, PLEASE DO!
AND REVIEWWWW. PLEASE TRY NOT TO BE TOO HARSH, BUT I CAN TAKE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITISISM.
