The Adventures of Superboy

Who wants to be a Super Billionaire?

Chapter 7 (Alternate Dimension)

"Kal, babe…what's that? Sorry, I can't hear ya with all the ruckus…Darla! My lemon meringue sweetie pie, shut the stereo…NOW! Sorry, Kal, I'm in the private jet on my way to Metropolis…oh, didn't Darla tell you? I've moved the banquet to the Palladium Hall where the awards ceremony's is being held. I think it's only fitting that you present the awards to these hopeful journalists…Trust me, its great PR! You'll need it after South America tells their Presidente we halted the mining trade. Kal never breaks his promises, right? That Lois Lane's a real hottie. I'm sure you can fly out here in a jif? Banquet starts at seven-thirty, Kal, did you solve that little alternate dimension problem?"

Lex's face turned down in a sneer. "She did? Who came for her? You're putting me on! Stop…really? Are they gone? CHAOS!"

Lex rolled his eyes. "At least he died doing what he loved."

Lex stared out the window and banged his armrest. Chaos had failed his assignment and accidentally killed himself in the fight with Kal. He spoke with phony admiration. "Of course! You did what you had to, my friend. The nerve of that punk! I hear ya! As long as she got back home safely. Okay, then. See you soon…Ciao!"

Lex Luthor clicked the phone off. After letting out a frustrated growl, he grinned like a Cheshire cat and stared at the associates gallivanting in luxury, eating fine caviar and shrimps, and gulping choice wines. The only one who looked out of sorts was John Corben, which irked Lex because he was usually the life of the party. Strange guilt was written over Corben's face.

The others on board were Tommy Puck, an evil, experimental genius, whom Kal unwittingly sanctioned to work at a psychology unit in the United States Army. Tommy was slowly perfecting a mind control experiment that could rid people of psychotic behaviors and tendencies, but leave them open to suggestions. Preferably his.

Nick Knack sat in the rear complaining about the amenities. He was a deranged toy master that sent last years holiday toy sales skyrocketing, along with many unsuspecting children. Lex remembered Kal actually cried over that and he had to hold him back from killing the toy man. Nick was accompanied by his gal pal Daisy, whom he'd turned into a disturbing robot doll after her recent visit. Pulling a string on her huge belly made her walk and talk. She sat in a row to herself, shoulder's slumped and her head cocked to one side. Her vacant eyes staring at everyone. Lex couldn't fathom how he did it, but everywhere she went the pungent scent of formaldehyde followed.

The little gathering wouldn't have been complete without two of Kal's spurned lovers, Loretta the Genie, and Odessa Vexman, a criminal Psychologist with a nasty grudge.

"Prepare yourselves, my friends, Kal is coming tonight. And it's sure to be a blast!"

~Oo~

Professor Peterson's lab (Original Dimension)

Superboy and Lana burst from the portal. Lana trembled and Superboy eased her into a chair. Professor Peterson clapped his hands.

"Wonderful! You both made it safe and sound. I was worried because of the new additions I put on the portal, but it looks like your trip went smooth."

Lana gripped Superboy's arm. "S…sm…smooth? Have you ever been in that thing, Professor?"

"Not yet."

"You're better off jus…just imagining the ride." Lana stammered. Superboy knelt down and smiled. He caressed her face.

"Lana, I'm so glad you're safe. I can't tell you how worried I was."

Lana savored his hand on her cheek. "Superboy, I'm sorry I was so much trouble, I didn't know the portal would activate and now it's broken."

Superboy drew closer and hugged her.

"Lana, you tried to help. It could've happened to anyone holding that device. Thank goodness it didn't land you someplace out of control."

Lana's eyes saddened. "Superboy, I know he acted out, but Kal-El's in a lot of pain. He tried to hide it, acting suave, pretending he didn't know me, but I saw through him, because I know you. I can tell when something's wrong. He saved my life from Chaos."

Superboy's jaw tightened. "Chaos! Lana, what happened out there?"

"We had an argument, so I left the mansion to find the Bureau or anyone familiar, but it was burned out. Lex Luthor sent Chaos after me. He's the same, Superboy! He wants to kill Kal and take over his assets. Lex set the Super Bomb off on that train. Superboy, Kal's in danger. I feel it. I don't know if he realizes it, but I think they're all against him."

Superboy glanced at the portal. "Lana, Kal is me, he has the same powers, and they're even stronger. That fight we had on the roof was nothing. He held back because of you. Kal can take care of himself. Besides, he didn't become that rich and powerful by trusting everyone."

Lana held his arm. "They're out to get him, Superboy. He thinks he hid all the Kryptonite, but what if Luthor stored some away? All it takes is one rock. Everyone's working together in that dimension. Remember how scared I was for you when Luthor teamed up with Odessa and Metallo?"

"Yes, of course, but I…"

"You beat them, but with my help. Now Kal needs help, even if he has powers. That world needs its own Superhero, don't you think?" She implored him.

Superboy stood. Lana always steered him on the right path. "Yes, Lana. It does. Professor Peterson, could you re-calibrate the portal for me?"

Peterson tapped the base controls. "I just started the process. It'll take a few hours."

"Fine. I'll get Lana home safely."

~Oo~

Superboy flew Lana back to her apartment. He opened her window and placed her inside, then rested on the ledge.

"Are you sure you'll be okay? Clark's worried about you too. I had Peterson contact him daily. He'll be thrilled to know you're home."

Lana held his hand. "Clark's so sweet."

Superboy gazed at her. He felt the urge to reveal his identity.

"Lana, what are your feelings for Clark?"

Lana looked at him surprised. "He's…he's my best friend."

Superboy nodded and took a deep breath. "Do you love him?"

Lana smiled, still astonished. "Do I…? Superboy, I love Clark, but not in the same way that I love…"

Superboy held her shoulders. "The thought of ever losing you drives me crazy. You know how I feel about you, but Kal was right. I can't assume that's enough. It does hurt you. I never really stopped to understand. I missed all your signals."

Lana blushed hard and turned to hide pooling tears. Superboy touched her chin and drew her face close.

"I love you, Lana. But I know it's difficult between us. The only time I'm around is when you need my help. Our relationship would never be normal and that's something you need, something you deserve." Superboy looked down and closed his eyes. "You deserve the best of everything and I don't want to make promises I can't keep. I don't want to hold you with an invisible string and stop you from moving on."

Lana thought of a few lines from one of her favorite stories, Jane Eyre. The invisible chord that connected Mr. Rochester to Jane was attached to their hearts. If Jane severed it, his heart would break. Lana had the same notion for Superboy, but she didn't want to drive him away with romantic drivel. She drew him in for a kiss. Superboy eventually pulled away, a little dazed at her intensity. He backed up with a tiny grin. The expression in her eyes nearly hypnotized him, and then she smiled, her pretty, wide-mouthed smile.

"Usually I'm the one left speechless." She giggled. "Superboy, thank you for telling me. You don't know the weight that's been lifted from my heart. But please, let me decide what's normal for us, and what I deserve. You said the best…well you are the best."

Superboy gripped her windowsill, his emotions swirled tumultuously. "Thank you. I think we need time to discuss this. Lana, I have to go now, but take care of yourself."

Lana grabbed his arm. "Superboy, be careful. Please let me know that Kal's safe when you get back."

"I'm very careful, Lana. I will."

Lana reluctantly dropped her hand and Superboy flew off. He hovered in the air a moment and watched her close the shade. With his x-ray vision he saw her lay on the couch and cry. Her sobs drifted to his ears and he wanted more than anything to comfort her. However, he needed to get his mind back to reality for a little while, and for him, that meant being Clark Kent at the Bureau.

Two hours later she woke to loud knocking on her door. She rubbed her eyes as she passed the hall mirror. 'I look terrible, I shouldn't have dozed off after crying so much.' She thought.

The knocking started again and she heard Clark. "Lana? Are you there? It's me…it's…"

"Clark!" Lana swung open the door and laughed. He struggled to hold a mixed bouquet of yellow and pink roses and a large box of chocolates. She pulled Clark inside and he passed his gifts to her.

"I'm glad you're back, Lana! Superboy stopped by the Bureau to tell us the news. I have errands to run but I had to see you first and give you these!"

Lana grinned slyly. "Clark, since when do you tell fibs?"

Clark shrugged disappointed. "I'm not lying now, but I've been lying for days telling Jackson you had strep throat. You better act a little sick when you go back to work."

"Of course." Lana pretended to cough. She put the roses in a large vase and fingered the petals thoughtfully. "Yellow roses mean friendship and pink appreciation."

Clark sat on her couch and flipped a small pillow up and down. "Nice. I didn't know that. I guess I made the perfect choice then."

"Clark, they're beautiful. I love them, and I love sea-shell truffles."

"I remembered."

Lana embraced him in a heartfelt hug. "Thank you for everything you do for me, Clark."

He pulled back shyly. "It's not much, Lana. I know I'm not out saving the world."

Lana sat back and put a finger to his mouth. "No. Don't compare yourself to Superboy. "She traced the heart of his upper lip and smiled gently. "There's no need for you to do that anymore with me. There never was, but I understand why you chose to hide."

Clark's throat went dry. Lana held his face and kissed him as passionately as she had Superboy. She licked her lips and stood up calmly. He gazed at her in a stupor.

"I know your secret, Clark. I've known it for a while, but I wasn't completely convinced until today."

Clark stood up. There was no getting around it anymore. Lana was very intelligent and she'd hit on the truth numerous times. He pulled his glasses off.

"How? Or…when?"

"It's hard to say, but, remember the computer at the Bureau? The one that compiled memory data?"

"Of course. You were desperate to know Superboy's identity."

"I almost found out, but I deleted the information. But I had a bright idea. I knew you wouldn't really catch on because well, you're a guy."

Clark glanced down and grinned embarrassed. "You figured it out after you kissed me. I should've known when you said you 'wouldn't dream of stopping me.' "

"Maybe. You admitted to me earlier as Superboy that you didn't notice my signals. So that's why you changed your mind about the pizza that night at the computer. Superboy had an emergency. It made the papers the next day. The timing matched."

Clark wrung his hands. "What about the silly knitting needles in Smallville?"

Lana suppressed a laugh. "After I stuck you with it in the car it snapped in half. I tossed it away and kept quiet, but I'd gotten my real proof."

Despite knowing the truth, she still marveled that he and Superboy were the same man. She stroked his face. "I'd always wondered why you never took your glasses off. I can't believe how blind I've been. How blind everyone is. How do you do it? Do you hypnotize us? Put a block on our minds with one of your powers? It's so simple!"

Clark held her hands. "I don't have abilities like that, Lana. What you see so far is what you get. I'm still learning about my identity, where I'm from, even the extent of my powers. They've gotten much stronger since Smallville. Simplicity was the key, and behaving ridiculously nerdy most of the time."

Lana chuckled at the memories. "That's true, but I think 'geek' is more appropriate."

Clark shook his head wryly. "That was in college, I've bumped up to 'cool nerd' status." Clark made a wide box shape with his hands. "Think of it like a neon sign, sometimes it's so bright you don't even notice it. You can't, it blinds you." Clark wagged his glasses around. "That's all these are. The disguise is so simple and bright, nobody would think of it."

"Why not?"

"The world loves mysteries, they don't want to take most things at face value and that's what I depend on. They can't tell because they aren't looking for obvious clues."

Lana agreed with his reasoning. "So is 'Clark Kent' really a disguise?"

"No. I am Clark Kent. Superboy's a costume, a title. Standing here in front of you now and talking, not pretending, acting clumsy, or extra meek – this is me. I guess I'm a little of both."

Lana paced by the window. Clark approached warily. "Lana, are you mad at me?"

Lana tossed her head back with a laugh. "Clark, I'm furious! I feel like the dumbest woman in the world, but…" She hugged him. "I love you too much, we've survived so many obstacles and you…well, you love me too."

Clark relaxed in her embrace. "Yes, I do."

"I didn't forget what I said the night I shut down the computer. Superboy hides his identity to protect the people he loves and we…I…need to respect that. I respect you, Clark, and I respect Superboy. I've always felt, even in college, that you were the same person. It's a relief to know I'm not crazy."

"You're not, Lana. Not at all."

"That's not what you…Superboy said in Smallville. If I remember correctly he…you said to get some help. I never told you how insulting that was." She poked his chest.

Clark chuckled. "I know. I felt bad later. But I made up for it didn't I? We took that long flight around Kansas and had a candlelight dinner under the stars in the old Mason barn with the broken rooftop."

Lana slipped her arms around his waist. "It was a perfect night. Clark, I don't even know what to call you?"

"In public call me Clark, in private call me Clark, when I'm Superboy in public…"

"You're Superboy of course. And what about that name, Kal-El?"

"Lana, I've never heard it before, how did he get it?"

Lana briefly explained what Kal told her about his origins. Everything made sense with the rocket crashing to earth, his invulnerability, and his first rite of passage with the Kryptonian crystals. Clark sat back in deep thought. Lana rested her head in the crook of his arm and toyed with his fingers.

"Who would've thought a planet like Krypton existed? I'm sorry it was destroyed. Your real parents loved you so much to send you off in a rocket. Maybe they had no idea where you'd land, or who, if anyone, would take you in, but they knew with your powers you'd survive. That was all that mattered."

"I wonder if they knew or not. The Kents couldn't have been better to me." Clark smiled, despite heartache developing inside him. This was ground-breaking news he'd have to tell his parents.

Lana kissed his cheek. "I can't imagine how you feel. I believe you were sent here for a great purpose. They must've known your powers would benefit mankind." Lana glanced at the clock and sat up. "Clark, it's been three hours. Professor Peterson might have the portal recalibrated."

Clark had just gotten comfortable. "Okay, I'm going. Thanks for keeping me on my toes. Five minutes into enjoying a real relationship and I have to fly off."

Lana pulled him to the window. "I can't believe I'm the one sending you off, but you have to. These are the issues we'll need to deal with."

Clark laughed. "So, are we an official couple? Who is? Clark and Lana? Superboy and Lana? Arrh! I'm getting all twisted."

Lana giggled. She hadn't thought of her options, but she knew the answer. "You said so yourself. You're Clark. It has to be Lana and Clark. I see you more often than Superboy. It'd be too hard for us to pretend so much."

"Thank you, Lana. You saved me from being even more deceitful. I really don't like to lie."

"I know that, but everyone's entitled to their secrets. Clark, can I see you change into Superboy?"

Clark moved a few feet away. One of his biggest dreams had finally come true.

"What happened to being entitled to my secrets?" He playfully smirked.

"Please…please…please!" Lana pouted and he laughed.

"All right. Blink and you'll miss it."

Lana kept her eyes glued to him, not knowing what to expect. Clark spun around slowly for effect, then picked up speed, until all she saw was a whirl of primary colors. He stopped in his tracks, no longer the mild-mannered investigator. Lana let out a long whistle, the suit truly made a world of difference.

"That was amazing! Even your hair's different. But where are your clothes?" Lana poked around and lifted his cape.

Clark laughed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me. After all we've been through, I'll believe anything!"

He tapped his yellow belt. "I call it a super-compression. My clothes are folded into the tiniest squares and tucked safely away. When I change back into Clark, I pull them out and it's like an instant dry clean press. It really beats ironing."

Lana laughed and jumped into his arms. He twirled her around. "That is crazy, I love it! Go Super…go, Clark, and be very careful. I want you back. I need you back."

Clark kissed her. "I will be, I need you too."

He jumped on the ledge and Lana stroked his arm just as he flew off. She felt so deliriously happy she danced around, and then feeling in the mood, tore into the box of tasty chocolates.