Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville
Big thanks to my beta reader Hanabi's Biggest Fan
2002 – Smallville, Kansas – Kent Farm
Clark parked the RV next to the barn when he returned that night. Pete's dad was nice enough to let them borrow the vehicle for a few months once he explained the situation. However, Pete asking if his cousin was hot was very awkward.
Clark hooked up all the power leads for the RV to the barn before he went into the house to see his family laughing over pie.
"Everything go okay, Clark?" asked Jonathan, being the first to spot him.
"Yeah, Pete's dad said it was no problem. I've already hooked up the RV to the barn for power. Pete is going to pick me up tomorrow morning in the truck and then I'll drop him off after school," explained Clark, taking a seat at the table and helping himself to a slice of pie.
"Good, you going to be okay out there tonight?" asked Martha.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm guessing Kara and... Um, what should I call you in public?"
"Aunt Lara," she said with a smile.
"Is that what we're going with, an aunt? Aunt Lara and Kara are taking my room?"
"We thought it might be best if Lara was my cousin but you just call her aunt and Kara is her step daughter who calls her aunt Lara because she didn't feel comfortable calling her mom. She's recently widowed and our family was only too happy to open our doors to them both," Jonathan explained the basics of the back story.
"And we're from Montana," added Kara.
"It's a good story," said Clark. "What family name?"
"El, my married name," said Lara with a small smile of appreciation that she could keep her family name.
"Okay, we have a plan. I'll call Ollie first thing tomorrow morning to get that ball rolling."
"Can Oliver also get school transcripts for Kara so she can start classes at Smallville High?" asked Martha.
"Probably."
"What? Why do I have to go to school?" demanded Kara. "I've already completed my education."
"You may have on Krypton but this is not Krypton. And you need to learn to blend in and you desperately need to learn social skills which you currently lack," ordered Lara.
Kara huffed and crossed her arms, clearly unhappy.
"It's not that bad, Kara. It can actually be pretty fun," offered Clark. "And there are boys which I'm sure you are at least mildly interested in."
Kara seemed to contemplate his words. "Are any of them cute?"
"I'm not one to ask that to, you'll have to decide for yourself but if you want, you can always ask Lois and her cousin Chloe."
"Fine, I'll give it a chance," said Kara, still pouting but it appeared to be a front.
2002 – Somewhere Over the United States
Clark had an interesting two weeks since he freed his cousin and revived his mother. Most of that time was spent teaching them to use their abilities and working with Oliver to create ironclad histories that would stand up to even the most stringent of background checks. They also made sure there were no holes in his own background, specifically surrounding his adoption.
Construction at the farm was really amped up after the first week. Three different construction crews were working full time, one on the expansion to the house, one on the second farm house, and one on the new barn, almost twice the size of the old barn. It made doing certain things around the farm harder since Clark now had to be cautious of using his abilities with all the construction workers around. It would still be another two or three months before all of the work was finished but at least the expansion on the house would be done in less than a month.
Now he had the great privilege of getting Kara situated in school which was a whole other mess in and of itself. Thankfully, Chloe and Lois had latched on to the girl rather quickly, even going so far as to plan several shopping excursions, thus alleviating him of all responsibility, especially since Lois was there to keep her in check... or at least remind her not to use her abilities in public.
Even still, Clark needed an insurance policy which is why he was now flying to Arizona as quickly as he was able.
Clark landed softly just outside the familiar auto-garage of Dax-Ur. The surrounding area was completely void of people or any other businesses for miles. Just the automotive garage and the house behind it.
"Hello," Clark called out as he entered the open garage.
"I'll be with you in just a minute," called a muffled voice.
Clark looked for the source and saw two feet sticking out under a slightly raised car. A moment later the person connected to those feet slid out from under the car. He was an older man, balding with wisps of silver hair over his ears.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, wiping his hands on an oil rag then holding out a hand to be shook.
Clark saw the blue kryptonite bracelet and paused half-way to meeting the hand shake. "Will the blue kryptonite bracelet there leave any lasting effects from a handshake?"
Dax looked visibly shaken for a moment. "No, but how..."
"I'm Kal-El," Clark introduced himself, folding an arm over his chest with a closed fist then bowing slightly.
"The house of El lives on. That pleases me so," said Dax. "I am Dax-Ur," he returned the Kryptonian greeting. "Now, how can I serve the house of El?"
"I need a few pieces of blue kryptonite," explained Clark.
Dax smiled. "Sure thing, just give me a minute." Dax then opened one of his tool cabinets and pulled free a large lead chest which hit the floor rather heavily.
Clark helped him lift the chest onto one of the work benches.
Dax took a key from around his neck and opened the chest. "Do you have a lead box with you?"
"I didn't think to bring one," said Clark sheepishly.
"No matter," said Dax, kneeling down again and digging through another cabinet before he stood again holding a smaller lead box. He then transferred several chunks of blue kryptonite from the large chest to the small box. "So, do you mind asking me why you need it?"
Clark hesitated for a minute before answering. "We're not the only Kryptonians on Earth. The young ones don't know how to control themselves very well or how to hide their powers. But with a few pieces of jewelry containing blue kryptonite they don't have to worry about it," explained Clark.
"There are more of us?" he asked, almost hopeful.
"At least two," said Clark. "If you ever want to meet them, go to Smallville, Kansas and look for the Kent farm."
"I may just have to take a vacation there with my wife and son," said Dax, smiling with tears threatening to spill from the joy welling up in his heart.
"Does your son... I mean, does he..."
"He's my stepson," explained Dax.
"Oh, do you know if we can... with humans I mean?"
"From my research, I believe it is very possible but very dangerous. The mother, if she is not Kryptonian, would probably need to wear a piece of blue kryptonite throughout the pregnancy so she wouldn't be killed the first time the child kicked but other than that I imagine it would be like any other pregnancy."
Clark smiled slightly. It lifted his heart to know it was possible. "Thank you for everything."
"It's not everyday I get to help a fellow Kryptonian," said Dax, holding out the small lead box that was now filled with blue kryptonite.
"Take care of yourself and your family, Dax-Ur," said Clark, accepting the small lead box.
"You too, Kal-El."
2002 – Smallville, Kansas – Pawn Shop
"Okay, I'll give you sixty for it," said the pawn broker, he knew he was being conned by the kid's sympathy angle but he didn't mind so much.
"Okay," said the young boy.
The pawnshop owner walked away from the counter to his safe and opened it to get the cash for the kid.
A few minutes later the kid was climbing inside a Bronco truck.
"Did you get it kid?" demanded James, the boy's stepfather.
"I told you, I don't want to do this anymore," the kid protested, instead opening his 'Warrior Angel' comic book.
James smacked the kid hard.
"Come on, Ryan, just give us the numbers. This is the last time," argued Debra, his stepfather's new wife.
"You said that last time and the time before," stated Ryan, clearly not believing them.
"Kid, give us the code or I'll kill the old man after I torture him for the code," said James.
Ryan knew James wasn't lying and reluctantly wrote down the safe code and handed it to them.
"That's my boy," said James, ruffling the hair on top of Ryan's head.
Ryan jerked away from him and tried to push his hand away only to get a backhanded slap for his trouble.
"Stay here," said Debra, pulling on a mask and hopping out of the truck.
James pulled down his mask and cocked a shotgun as he too hopped out of the truck.
Together the pair ran across the street. As soon as the got to the door sirens blared loudly as half a dozen sheriff cars came out of nowhere.
Ryan was panicked as even the truck he was in was surrounded.
Police were scrambling out of the vehicles with guns drawn on his stepfather and his wife.
"You little shit, you ratted us out!" he shouted, aiming the shotgun back at the Bronco truck. Before he could pull the trigger he took a half dozen shots to the chest. Debra took one in the shoulder from standing too close and went down crying in pain.
"It's okay, kid, you can come out," called a voice from outside the truck.
Ryan looked and saw a sheriff's deputy.
"They can't hurt you anymore, just come on out of there," he said.
Ryan swallowed nervously as he climbed out of the truck with his hands up.
"It's okay, kid, you're not in trouble. We know they were forcing you to help them," said the deputy.
Ryan slowly and nervously lowered his arms. "Really?" he asked nervously.
"Really, kid. What's your name? My name is Ethan."
"Ryan," he answered with a thick swallow. "What happens now?"
"First, we're going to take you to the hospital to get you checked out. After that, a local family, the Kents, have agreed to house you while we look for any family you might have left. Does that sound okay to you?"
Ryan nodded worriedly. Would these new people hurt him like James and Debra? Could he trust them?
"They are good people, Ryan," said Ethan, calming Ryan almost instantly. "Their son is adopted so they won't look down on you or hurt you in anyway. They live on a big farm with animals and tractors and all that. You'll be safe with them. I promise."
"Okay," said Ryan, knowing that Ethan was telling him the truth.
2002 – Smallville, Kansas – Kent Farm
Ryan rode in the front seat next to Ethan as he drove him out to the Kent farm. Ryan was clutching his backpack like a life preserver as they drove through the maze of back roads and corn fields. He was worried in spite of what he'd learned about this family from Ethan.
"Is that it?" asked Ryan, looking at the yellow farm house, half of which was covered in plastic and scaffolding.
"Yeah, they are in the middle of a big expansion project. They are adding a few rooms and on another part of the property they are building another house," explained Ethan.
"Are they rich?"
"Not really. The entire town was recently award a lot of money from a settlement with Luthorcorp. Everyone affected by the meteor shower was award large settlements from that money. So while not rich, they are very comfortable as a result," Ethan tried to explain it so Ryan understood but he was sure he'd made it too complicated.
"Oh," was Ryan's eloquent reply.
Ethan beeped the horn twice as he pulled up the house to let the Kents know he was there as he parked his cruiser next to one of the trucks.
"Hey, Ethan," called Clark as he emerged from the barn.
Ethan opened his car door and stepped out and stood, still half in the car. "How are you, kiddo?"
"Alright," said Clark. He saw Ryan and gave a friendly wave to the kid who gave a small wave in return.
Ethan ducked his head back into the car. "It's okay, why don't you hop out and go say hello?"
Ryan opened the heavy car door and hopped out, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
"Hi, I'm Clark."
"Ryan."
"Well, let's go in and you can meet everyone," offered Clark motioning to the house.
Ryan though had a confused look on his face.
"It's okay, I don't bite despite what my girlfriend might tell you," joked Clark, setting Ryan a bit more at ease.
"Tell your dad I said 'hi'. I'll leave Ryan with you. Take care Ryan, and make sure you have fun while you're here," said Ethan, sitting back down inside the police cruiser without waiting for a response.
"I think he'll miss you," said Clark, noticing Ethan's expression. Clark knew that Ethan wasn't the best man but he hadn't really crossed the line beyond the point of no return yet and probably never would now that Lionel was behind bars with no possibility of parole.
"He liked having me around," said Ryan. "His wife can't have kids so..."
"That mind reading trick of yours is something else," said Clark, startling Ryan.
"You... you know?" asked Ryan, afraid.
"Yeah, it's okay though. Everyone inside already knows and no one cares. You're safe with us," explained Clark.
"How? How did you know?"
"As you probably would have found out the second you read one of my parents minds, I sort of traveled through time. That's how I knew that your stepfather was going to rob that pawnshop so that the police could be ready."
"That is so cool," said Ryan, suddenly hugging Clark in relief, the first he'd felt in years.
"Hey, it's okay, buddy. You'll be safe from now on, okay?"
Ryan nodded into Clark's side unwilling to let go.
"Come on, let's go inside and meet everyone."
Ryan finally let go but it was clear from the expression on his face that he was beyond relieved, like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Now, I know you're going to have a lot of questions and you'll probably read some thoughts you don't completely understand but if you can be patient we'll explain as much as we can, deal?"
"Deal," said Ryan. This was a new experience for him.
An hour later Ryan was shocked. He really wasn't sure what to expect but the story he just heard was something else. "Um, let me make sure I understand this. You, Clark, were sent to Earth as a baby and were raised by Mr. and Mrs. Kent. Kara was sent to Earth at the same time but ended up buried underwater. She had a crystal that had a copy of your mother, Lara. Add to all of that, you traveled through time with Lois on accident so now you're using that knowledge to fix things."
"Basically, yeah," said Lois, adding her two cents. "Neat, huh?"
"Very," said Ryan. "So what happened to me?"
Clark sighed, he really didn't want to answer this question. "You went to live with your aunt. Things were good for a while until she just couldn't handle things anymore. At which point a group called Summerholt promised your aunt they could help you, but they lied. They experimented on you and it caused the tumor in your brain that gives you your ability to grow out of control until it took your life. I did what I could but by then it wasn't enough. I was too late but now, we have more time and some technology that wasn't previously available."
"Jor-El should be able to help," said Lara. "I don't know to what degree but at the very least he should be able to stabilize the tumor so that it does not expand any further. You'd keep your ability without risking your life."
"Wow, you'd do that... for me?"
"Of course buddy, the question now is whether you want us to find your aunt so you can give it a try or if you just want to stay with us," offered Clark.
"I could stay?" asked Ryan, looking hopefully to Martha and Jonathan.
"If that's what you want," said Martha.
"Martha does like her strays," commented Jonathan.
"The last three have worked out pretty good," said Martha, she liked having a big family around. It made things lively plus the extra help around the farm was wonderful.
"Can I think about it?" asked Ryan.
"Of course, honey. You have at least a few day before you have to decide anything," answered Martha.
"For now, you're bunking with me out in the camper," said Clark.
"Camper?"
"While the house is being remodeled, us unmarried men have been relegated to the RV out by the barn. We're borrowing it from a friend of mine's dad."
"So, it'll be like a little camping trip?"
"Tell you what, I'll even make a campfire tonight and we can make s'mores," offered Clark.
"Ooh, I'm in," said Lois. "I'll call, Chloe and Pete too. You're coming, Kara."
"I am?" asked Kara.
"Yes, you are," said Lois, leveling a look at Kara that gave her no room to argue.
"I mean, yes, of course I am," said Kara, recognizing the look.
"It'll be a lot of fun," said Clark, trying to stir up some enthusiasm for it.
"Well, I'd better go get some supplies," said Martha.
"I'll go with you," offered Lara.
"Men make fire," said Jonathan, imitating a cave man as best he could.
"Fire, fire good," mimicked Clark.
2002 – Smallville, Kansas – Smallville High
Chloe was still bummed about Clark and Lois. She wasn't angry with either of them but sad for herself. She was lonely and wasn't afraid to admit to it. She went on a few dates with Pete not too long ago but they really didn't have anything in common so mutually decided to just be friends. Pete was quick to move on but Chloe didn't seem to be able to.
"You ready?" asked Clark, snapping Chloe out of her reverie.
"Ready for what?"
"The 'Students in Journalism' conference. We've been looking forward to this for months, you, me, and Lois. Remember?"
"I can't believe I forgot."
"It's tomorrow. I'll pick you and Lois up at five in the morning. It's a long drive to Metropolis so we can't be late leaving."
"I'll be ready," said Chloe, smiling slightly. She really was looking forward to the conference but was not looking forward to being trapped in a car with the lovebirds for three hours.
"Alright, see you then. Have fun with Lois tonight," said Clark, walking away.
"I will," said Chloe absentmindedly. "Wait, what about me and Lois tonight?"
"Mani-pedis," said Lois, sneaking up behind Chloe. "Girls night tonight so tomorrow you can land some hot reporter wannabe from that conference."
"Don't I wish," sighed Chloe.
"Trust me, cuz. I got your back," said Lois with a grin as she slung an arm over her shoulder.
Chloe shook her head once as she allowed Lois to drag her off.
2002 – Metropolis, Kansas – MetU Convention Center
Chloe was crawling in her own skin. She looked professional but also kind of hot if she was willing to admit it to herself. She still couldn't believe she let Lois talk her into dressing like that. Her hair had so much product in it it wouldn't move for days and completely gone were her little hair clips that had defined her hair style for so long.
Speaking of Lois, she was dressed similarly but was completely comfortable dressed as such. Her gray pants-suit and her hair up in a french twist, something Chloe had never seen Lois do before yet watching Lois do it made it look like something she had done on a daily basis for years. Top all of that with slim reading glasses and Chloe was looking at a different Lois than she had ever seen before. It was spooky.
The biggest shocker though was Clark Kent in a suit and tie with thick horn-rimmed glasses. Chloe didn't even know Clark wore glasses but she could see why he'd wear contacts with the way he had to constantly push them back up his nose. If she was honest, he looked professional but easily disregarded, unnoticeable. There was nothing attractive about him when he was dressed like that and worse, his personality had suddenly become meek and nervous, constantly apologizing for bumbling about. Was Clark always like that and she just saw him through rose-tinted glasses when he dressed like the rugged farm boy she had gotten so used to?
"What time are you meeting with the Daily Planet again?" asked Lois, looking to Clark.
"In about fifteen minutes," answered Clark, maintaining his nervous look.
"He's really out of his element, isn't he?" asked Chloe in a whisper to Lois.
Lois shrugged and smirked a little.
Unfortunately Chloe caught the smirk. "He's doing it on purpose," she hissed to Lois.
Lois looked around her briefly. "Of course he is, you should know your best friend a bit better than that."
"But why?"
"The Luthorcorp article," said Lois. "Look around you. These kids are out for blood, the last thing we need is them targeting Clark."
"I'm so stupid," said Chloe. "But why didn't you two tell me?"
"It was kind of a test," said Lois sadly. Then she glared at Chloe, "And you failed damn it. I owe Clark now. I bet you'd see through it."
Chloe laughed. "It was just so strange. I didn't think Clark could act that well. How was I supposed to know?"
"I don't know, now I've got a pervert to deal out some justice to," said Lois, turning and stomping away.
"Pervert?" asked Chloe, confused at first then quickly following after Lois.
She found him haranguing a cute boy with a camera.
"So what was with the photos? I saw you snapping off pictures of my ass," she tore in the boy.
"I wasn't, I swear I wasn't," defended the boy.
"We'll see about that," said Lois, pulling the camera off the boy.
The boy tried to reclaim the camera but Lois was easily holding him off with one arm as she used her free hand to cycle through the images of the photos he'd taken. Suddenly she looked back the boy and grinned viciously. "So, that's how it is. You a stalker then?"
"No, I'm not, I swear," argued the boy.
"I don't know. Pictures in at least four different locations," said Lois, teasingly.
"It's not like that. I swear," he argued.
"Alright then," said Lois, looking back to Chloe and walking towards her. "This guy apparently finds you very photogenic and wanted to meet you." She handed the camera to Chloe.
The poor and horribly embarrassed boy's head sunk.
Chloe raised and eyebrow as she scanned the pictures, there were a lot of her but they were actually rather good, flattering even.
"So tell me something, is this how you always flirt?" asked Chloe.
The boy perked up a bit. "Did it work?"
"Maybe," said Chloe. "So what's your name?"
"Jimmy, er, James Olsen," he introduced himself.
"Well then Jimmy, you're buying my cuz lunch," ordered Lois before turning and walking away with a giant grin on her face.
2002 – Metropolis, Kansas – MetU Convention Center
"Mr. Kent, we appreciate you taking the time to meet with us. You've been quiet since your big splashy debut that brought down Luthorcorp. So I have to ask, why now?" asked Pauline Kahn.
"Well, I got a letter offering me a summer internship, so I thought the least I could do was meet with you," answered Clark.
"It's a very prestigious program Mr. Kent. It's an instant foot in the door to a career as a reporter. You have more than earned this offer."
"But, I didn't even apply," said Clark. "And I'm already signed up for summer school courses at CKU. I don't have time for both," said Clark.
"Clark, can I call you Clark? This is an opportunity that few ever get the chance to take part in. We only take four interns every year and never a high school freshman."
"Look, it took me years to put together all the evidence for that article-"
"So what? You didn't have he resource the Daily Planet can provide. And that doesn't change the quality of your writing. It was punchy and accurate."
Clark was starting to feel backed into a corner. "I appreciate the offer and I would like to come work for the Daily Planet-"
"Excellent."
"-when I graduate from college. I still have a lot to learn and would be that much better of a reporter once my education is complete."
Ms. Kahn narrowed her eyes before sighing. "I can respect you sticking to your guns but still think you're making a mistake."
"Maybe, time will tell but I know I'm making the right decision," said Clark. "Thank you again for the offer and your time. Good luck with the rest of your interviews."
"Thank you, Mr. Kent. Enjoy the rest of the conference."
2002 – Smallville, Kansas
The drive home from Metropolis had been mostly silent. Lois sung along a bit to her Whitesnake CD. Clark absentmindedly hummed along, he'd heard it enough by now to know the words to the songs almost as well as Lois.
Chloe though sat silent with a small contented smile on her face.
"So why does Chloe look so happy and content?" Clark whispered to Lois.
"She met a boy, James "Jimmy" Olsen," she whispered back with a grin she couldn't hide.
"Good, I'm happy for her," said Clark. "Now, we just have to convince her to ask him to the Spring Formal."
"I'll take care of that," said Lois, the glint in her eye told Clark all he needed to know.
